Rangers: Chris Sutton surprisingly spot on, Djeidi Gassama mistake can’t be repeated
Rangers saw off Falkirk 6-3 in a Scottish Premiership classic on Sunday that highlighted both sides of Djeidi Gassama‘s game.
Danny Rohl‘s side found themselves two goals down inside 26 minutes at Falkirk Stadium through Ben Broggio and Finn Yeats strikes.
Tochi Chukwuani and Youssef Chermiti netted either side of half-time, however, before Nicolas Raskin and Bojan Miovski seemingly put the Gers out of sight, only for Calvin Miller to pull one back from the spot.
Chermiti made certain of the points with a fifth of the game, before Miovski doubled his own tally, with Rohl’s men looking far stronger after the interval.
And a large part of that was down to a tactical switch at Falkirk Stadium from the German head coach involving Gassama.
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Djeidi Gassama tactical tweak helps revive faltering Rangers
Gassama, like pretty much every visiting player, struggled in the first half as Rangers were lucky to go into the break just a goal behind.
Rangers boss Rohl had to act at half-time and did just that by bringing on Miovski and the underwhelming – and arguably unfit – Mikey Moore.
| Falkirk | Rangers | |
| 3 | Goals | 6 |
| 1.67 | Expected goals | 3.72 |
| 7 | Shots | 20 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 9 |
| 51% | Possession | 49% |
In doing so, Gassama switched from the right to the left and that made a massive difference to Rangers’ balance.
Indeed, Gassama created something out of nothing for Chermiti’s goal just a couple of minutes after switching flanks.
As Kevin Thomson said on BBC Radio Scotland, Gassama is an “enigma” as he is capable of some terrible moments and then some moments of quality.
There was far more quality on display in the second 45 compared to the first, with Gassama also involved in Chermiti’s second goal of the game.
And as Chris Sutton pointed out on Sky Sports prior to the match, it is clear where Gassama is best suited in this side.
Rohl has simple call to make on Gassama going forward
After fellow pundit Kris Boyd has questioned Gassama’s lack of consistency, Sutton said: “I don’t think he’s as good off the right.
“That hasn’t necessary suited him, but his inconsistency has been a problem for Rangers.”
What played out over the next hour or so only backed up Sutton’s point. So often a hated figure among the Gers fanbase, the former Celtic player was actually spot on with that verdict.
The first half at Falkirk Stadium was a horror show, summed up by a dreadful shot from Gassama with his side a couple of goals down.
The good news is that Rangers still managed to come away with a fairly comfortable win in the end, despite that scare.
Rohl now knows Gassama has to start on the left if selected against Motherwell next weekend, or else he risks a repeat of the first 45 minutes here.
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