‘Telepathy’ – Exclusive: Alex McLeish shares verdict on Rangers defence
We’re delighted to welcome former Rangers manager Alex McLeish as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Ibrox…
Alex McLeish has claimed that he is beginning to see signs of “telepathy” in Rangers’ current defensive line.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, the former Gers manager harked back to his own playing career, arguing that consistently keeping clean sheets is often the foundation of a successful side.
Rangers equalled a 114-year record recently by becoming the first team since 1906 to start a Scottish top flight season with six consecutive shutouts.
And McLeish has been very impressed with the understanding and togetherness that Steven Gerrard’s backline has shown so far this term.
Speaking to Ibrox News, he said: “It’s great and you know, I played defence for a long, long time and my whole raison d’etre was no goals against, and that would give us a chance of winning.
“Willie Miller and I, Stuart Kennedy, Doug Rougvie, John McMaster, Jim Leighton, all these guys had the same kind of mentality – as long as we had a nil for the opposition, we had a very, very good chance of winning the game.
“They [the current Rangers defence] have played together for a long time so they must be getting that little bit of the magical word ‘telepathy’, where you get to know each other’s games and you can fill in if the wing-backs or full-backs – whatever formation Steven chooses – are going forward.
“The centre-backs fall into positions where they can’t get damaged and they kind of start to do that naturally and you see that.”
Rangers have the best goal difference in the Scottish Premiership so far this season, having scored 11 goals and conceding none.
The next best defensive record in the division is jointly shared by Celtic and Aberdeen, with both sides conceding twice this term, but also having played two matches fewer than the Gers.
In other Rangers news, we bring you another exclusive, as Frank McAvennie claims Alfredo Morelos could upset the Ibrox dressing room if he stays.