BBC Sportsound pundit slams Leon Balogun and Connor Goldson defending in Aberdeen v Rangers
Willie Miller was flabbergasted by the defending he saw from Rangers in their 1-1 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday (26 November).
The Gers fell behind in the first half when Bojan Miovski got in behind a static defence and converted past Jack Butland.
Philippe Clement’s side did manage to snatch a late draw thanks to a James Tavernier penalty, but Miller called out the defending of central-defensive duo Leon Balogun and Connor Goldson.
“Basic defending – Rangers aren’t doing it,” former Aberdeen defender Miller said on BBC Sportsound, as quoted on the BBC Sport match blog [26 November, 12:43pm].
“Through the middle, the two centre-backs, who I rate highly, you’re talking two or three out of 10 performances so far.”
Caught cold
A number of Rangers players had an off-day at Pittodrie, and yet the Gers still came away with a point.
Balogun and Goldson were caught out more than once, especially for the Dons’ breakthrough goal, which will no doubt worry Clement.
If it was not for Jack Butland – not for the first time since he joined in the summer – the Gers could have shipped more.
In Balogun’s defence, he did lead the way for interceptions (two) and clearances (five) [WhoScored] among Rangers players at Pittodrie.
While the Gers’ form under Clement has been very strong, they have conceded in four of their past five matches.
The Belgian will no doubt be eager to tighten things up at the back, but he will at least be pleased with the way his players dug deep to avoid defeat.
Still, missing out on the chance to cut the gap on Celtic at the summit will feel like a massive opportunity missed this weekend.
In other Rangers news, Clement may have been handed an unwelcome setback after comments made by his former colleague this week.