Neil McCann: Lundstram at fault for Rangers conceding first goal v Ross County
Rangers conceded the first goal yet again on Sunday as they went on to win 4-2 against Ross County at Ibrox in the Scottish Premiership.
Joseph Hungbo opened the scoring in the sixth minute after the Gers lost possession in such a sloppy manner in the middle of the park.
Ianis Hagi passed the ball to John Lundstram in the middle and there’s been debate about whether it was a poor pass by Hagi that caused the turnover or whether Lundstram should have picked the ball up easily.
While McCann thinks Hagi’s pass could have been better, he blames Lundstram for not being on his toes.
Speaking on RangersTV after the match, Sky Sports pundit McCann said: “I think the ball into Lundstram is actually okay. I think John just gets caught on his heels and they lose possession.
“Charles Cook then drives forward and the pass in there, it’s too easy.
“The gap is too easy. You’ve been allowed to run into there.”
McCann added: “Lundstram, for me, is not a holding-type midfielder. He was playing that role today because Aribo and Bacuna are more forward-thinking. But if there’s a Davis or a Kamara in there, they’re a little bit more secure in possession.
“I think that pass wasn’t quite on the money from Hagi but had Lundstram been on his toes, he would have regained possession.”
Six of one, half a dozen of the other
They were both at fault – let’s face it.
If Hagi’s pass had been better, it wouldn’t have led to Ross County scoring.
If Lundstram was able to pick up a ball that was just a yard or two away from him, Ross County would not have scored.
It was completely avoidable and the back-four should have also done a better job at stopping Hungbo getting in behind to score.
Ultimately, our defence has been awful this season and on top of that, we’ve gifted so many goals to our opposition.
Rangers cannot keep doing this because if they do, Celtic will soon close down that gap with Ange Postecoglou’s team finding a good run of form.
Thankfully, we’ve started to score more goals and Ryan Kent’s return to form is going to be vital in that.
We just need the midfield and defence to stop being so bad.
In other Rangers news, a billionaire-owed club is eyeing up this Gers man.