Exclusive: McLeish accuses Rangers of ‘messing about’, claims analysis will single out one player
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 accused Rangers of “messing about” in their 2-1 victory over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.
The Bears conceded despite playing the majority of the game against 10-men at Pittodrie, and McLeish singled out Joe Aribo for his role in that goal.
It is suggested that the video analysis will single out Aribo for not being aware and covering the space left by James Tavernier.
Speaking exclusively to Ibrox News, McLeish said, “Within the game, I guess you have to get messages to the leaders of the team.
“We have to stop messing about, it was too slow of a tempo. We have been at our best when the tempo has been very high, the passing has been assertive and that is some of the key instructions that you give to the players.
“With the goal, they had enough players back there, just the awareness of the midfielders. Joe Aribo was in a situation where he should be swivelling his head, there’s Matt Kennedy – that is the kind of video analysis that Steve will tend to receive.”
Looking at the goal, Steven Gerrard certainly wouldn’t have been happy with what he saw at Pittodrie last weekend.
In this screenshot, you can see the ball on the left-hand side, and as Aribo [circled] is ball-watching, Kennedy is making his move behind him to then fire home past Allan McGregor.
This can be something that could be exploited, as previously mentioned by McLeish, and Aberdeen did just that with one fewer man on the pitch.
Gerrard and his team will have been looking at this and demanding more from the likes of Aribo between now and the end of the season defensively.
With Ryan Jack on the way back from his injury, the Bears will become more solid in midfield – something that will hopefully minimalise these setbacks in games.
In other Rangers news, McLeish reacts to significant step towards Gers lifting the title