James McFadden fumes at ‘poor’ Rangers defending v Hibernian, singles out Connor Goldson
James McFadden has blasted Rangers for the way they set up from a free-kick which Hibernian scored from, and singled out Connor Goldson for his own goal.
The Gers fell behind after just eight minutes at Easter Road when a well-worked free-kick ended with Goldson putting the ball into his own net, before they came back with a top performance to claim an easy 4-1 win.
But while speaking on BBC Sportscene (11:17, 8 March) to analyse the game, McFadden picked out the vice-captain for using his wrong foot to clear the ball and pointed out the poor shape of the side from the set up.
“I think the set up from Rangers is poor,” he said. They’re marking zonal across the 18-yard line but their body shape is all wrong, they should be open.
“I think it’s good play from Hibs, I really do, because they recognise the space at the back. It’s Hope who goes in around the back, he squares it and Connor Goldson should probably clear it with his left foot.
“But just look at Paul Hanlon on Ryan Jack. He recognises that he should be going there, but he can’t because he’s got the block in. Great play from Hanlon, and it’s great work.
“It’s definitely something that they’ve identified as a weakness from Rangers and it was a perfect start for Hibs.”
Harsh
Considering just how good Rangers were during the game at Easter Road, this is just nitpicking of the highest level.
No team can be completely perfect for an entire 90 minutes, especially against strong opposition, so rather than praising Hibernian for their smart play he’s chosen to criticise Goldson.
The initial set up wasn’t perfect, no, and Goldson in an ideal world would use his left foot to smash the ball out for a throw instead of his right foot to put it into the goal.
But the performance overall from Goldson was strong, and that singular moment shouldn’t override his entire performance in the game.
McFadden needed something to moan about and they gave it to him, but fans shouldn’t be distracted to believe that it wasn’t arguably the best performance of the season.
The reaction to going behind was mightily impressive and Rangers can build from that performance, both offensively and defensively, for the rest of the season to push Celtic all the way and try to win the Scottish Cup.
In other Rangers news, official club partner blasts “absolutely scandalous” moment in Rangers 4-1 win vs Hibs.