Ibrox View: Gerrard must learn from grave error to get best out of Rangers 24y/o
RANGERS OPINION
Following yet another capitulation from Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side on Wednesday night, it’s almost impossible to find anything to be positive about at Ibrox at the moment.
The 1-0 defeat at the hands of lowly Hamilton arguably represented the lowest point of the Gers’ post-New Year slump so far, leaving them 13 points behind Celtic in the title race and dispelling any hopes that Saturday’s shock Scottish Cup loss against Hearts represented a nadir for the struggling Light Blues.
If we’re being completely honest, it will take a miracle for Rangers to win any silverware this season, even with a place in the Europa League last 16 secured.
But, if we’re really trying to find a silver lining to yesterday’s nightmarish outing, it could come in the form of loanee forward Florian Kamberi.
Now, make no mistake, this was no world beating performance from the 24-year-old – and it is true that he was given the hook after just 65 against the Accies – but there was enough in his showing to suggest that if Gerrard is willing to show a little faith in him, he could come good in Glasgow.
Deployed in a berth out on the left wing, Kamberi actually showed some glimpses of the threat he could come to pose for the Gers.
As per Wyscout, he managed 31 successful actions out of an attempted 51, a completion rate of 61%, his highest of the season to date.
Moreover, his expected goals tally was 0.61, a vast improvement on his season average of 0.31.
Factor in a pass completion rate of 82%, and all things considered, this wasn’t the worst showing in the world.
If there is one main takeaway from Kamberi’s performance, however, it’s that he must be played through the centre, rather than out wide.
With no accurate crosses, and just one successful dribble out of an attempted five, there were times when he didn’t look suited to the role he was being asked to fulfil.
But if Gerrard can glean the positives from his display and use them as a blueprint for where Kamberi’s strengths actually lie – namely, as a centre forward – then we could have a real player on our hands here.
In other Rangers news, Ibrox View: Reported transfer development may not be as perfect as it seems for Gers.