Saikat Mandal

Tue 28 February 2023 21:10, UK

Rangers lost 2-1 against Celtic in the Viaplay Cup final on Sunday (26 February) at Hampden Park, and the club suffered due to poor defending in big games once again.

The Athletic journalist, Jordan Campbell, pointed it out after footage emerges of a Celtic goal, that nine players were “culpable” in some way as they gave away the possession.

Writing on Twitter, Campbell adds that the lack of intensity in midfield was “shocking” until Michael Beale made changes in the second half.

“It’s unusual to see nine outfield players all, in some way, culpable for a goal that only contained five passes from the time Rangers regained possession before giving it away again. The lack of intensity in midfield was shocking until the subs were made,” wrote Campbell on Twitter.

Spot on

It was a big blow for the Gers and a learning curve for their new manager.

While Beale has made a great start since taking over from Giovanni van Bronckhorst, the result is a timely reminder that there’s a lot of work left to be done.

The lack of intensity in midfield was really surprising. In a huge game of this magnitude, you’d expect the midfielders to be agile and alert and press hard throughout. But they were lackluster and allowed the Celtic midfield trio to dominate.

The team selection was also poor from Beale. John Lundstram was doubtful ahead of this game, but Beale drafted him into the starting line-up, probably because he wanted to add more experience to the side.

The midfield partnership of Glen Kamara and Lundstram failed to provide the necessary spark in midfield. It was only after Nicolas Raskin came on in the second half, the Bears looked a different side.

In other Rangers news, Beale has been backed on Sky Sports over his team selection despite a backlash to leaving out one player.