‘Keeps people on their toes’ – Rangers Exclusive: McAvennie hails defensive strength in depth
We’re delighted to welcome former Scottish international Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Rangers…
Frank McAvennie has suggested that Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has good strength in depth in his squad this season.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former Celtic striker claimed that the Gers have rotated their starting XI quite heavily already this term, but also argued that it’s by no means a bad thing.
Gerrard’s men equalled a 114-year defensive record by keeping a clean sheet against Hamilton at the weekend, becoming the first team to start a Scottish top flight campaign with six consecutive shutouts since 1906.
And while McAvennie has suggested that the Gers will face tougher challenges as the season progresses, he has largely been impressed with the manner in which Gerrard has been able to swap players in and out of his backline.
Speaking to Ibrox News, he said: “The boys will get tested more as the season goes on.
“It looks as if they’re doing alright at the back, but you’ve got to wait until you’ve got somebody who’s actually going to go up against you. That’s when you can say ‘hold on a minute’.
“I don’t actually know if Stevie Gerrard knows his best team yet. He keeps chopping and changing, which is not a bad thing.
“If they’re all coming in and doing well, it’s a good thing. It keeps people on their toes.”
Rangers started the season with summer signing Leon Balogun at the heart of defence, but Gerrard has turned to Filip Helander in recent weeks after the Nigeria international picked up an injury.
Likewise, Allan McGregor picked up a knock in the Europa League defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, with deputy Jon McLaughlin still yet to concede a goal in his Ibrox career.
In other Rangers news, Alex Bruce claims Rangers will want to ‘build team around’ this player.