‘Bodies on the line’ – Culshaw details secret behind Rangers success this season
Rangers technical coach Tom Culshaw said that all the players knowing their role off the ball is key to the club’s defensive consistency.
The Gers have conceded just three Scottish Premiership goals so far this season and sit six points clear of their old firm rivals Celtic at the top of the table.
Speaking in an interview with the Rangers official website, Culshaw said that the players hard work on the training field was showing in their performances on the pitch.
“It’s the work the lads are putting in the on the training field, I think they are taking everything on board that the manager and coaches are asking from them and they are bringing it onto the pitch,” he said.
“I think all over the pitch starting from the attackers, midfield players and the defenders and goalkeepers, they all know what they are doing out of possession and I think when it comes down to defending the box, the players are willing to put their bodies on the line and stop the opposition from scoring.”
Culshaw added: “It continues every session. The hard work has to happen in every session and they take it into the game, but we can only give them messages on the training pitch and when they go onto the pitch it’s up to them to take it on and perform.”
Continued improvement
Rangers have shown defensive strength for a while now under Steven Gerrard and boasted the best defensive record in the league last season, conceding just 19 goals from their 29 fixtures.
However, they seem to have raised that level even higher this season, conceding just three goals in the Scottish Premiership so far.
According to WhoScored, Rangers have conceded 4.6 shots per game this season and have committed 11 fouls per 90, both league-best tallies.
Culshaw also highlighted the importance of the defensive work performed by the attackers and midfielders in ensuring the whole team is focused on the task of defending.
This too is evidenced in the statistics: midfielders Steven Davis and Ryan Jack are averaging at least one interception per match, while attackers Joe Aribo and Kemar Roofe are both completing at least one tackle per 90.
In other Rangers news, Steven Gerrard has been warned off a Premier League return by a former teammate.