Ally McCoist slams Rangers player after lucky escape vs Ferencvaros – ‘Dear me’
Ally McCoist blasted Emmanuel Fernandez for his lack of initiative as Rangers face Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday.
Danny Rohl has made defensive changes at the Groupama Arena on 11 December, with James Tavernier starting alongside Nasser Djiga, the former Peterborough United and Jayden Meghoma in the backline.
In the third minute, Bamidele Yusuf was handed an opportunity after running through on goal, but the Gers’ defence should’ve done better to shut down the chance.
Rohl is still looking for his first Europa League win, with qualification to the next stage of the competition looking unlikely, but the players still need to show some fight in Budapest.
Rangers fortunate not to go down early vs Ferencvaros
McCoist believes it was far too easy for Ferencvaros to have their first shot of the game and potentially test Jack Butland.
In the end, Yusuf couldn’t make the most of the opportunity, but the Gers were arguably lucky the forward didn’t have his shooting boots on.
Fernandez should’ve clearly done better in the build-up to the chance, but the 24-year-old defender seemed to lack urgency.
Speaking on TNT Sports 4 on 11 December, McCoist said: “That’s simply far too easy. I’m looking at Fernandez; he’s got to get across. He has to come across. Dear me, he’s got to come across and challenge the forward.”
The Gers icon added: “Thankfully, he shoots wide. But that’s a big opportunity. The centre-back has to drop there. He has to drop and give support. Lucky escape.”
Opta’s supercomputer expects Rohl to have challenges against Ferencvaros, with the home team the heavy favourites, but the Glaswegian outfit have to show some fight in Budapest.
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Danny Rohl has obvious half-time change at Groupama Arena
Rohl has shown tactical flexibility since replacing Russell Martin, and it looks like Meghoma was playing as an inverted full-back in the first half.
Rangers went ahead after a poacher’s finish from Bojan Miovski in the 28th minute, but the German manager should still be looking to make changes at the break.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Minutes played |
| 18 | 2 | 2 | 813 |
The Gers could do with more control in midfield, and it would make sense to bring Thelo Aasgaard or Mikey Moore on in place of a defender.
It remains to be seen how the second half unfolds for the Glaswegian outfit, but they can make a statement with a win in Budapest after Bente Otvos’ goal in the last kick of the first 45 minutes.
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