Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media

James Barker

Mon 11 May 2026 16:26, UK

Rangers‘ lack of pace in defence is costing Danny Rohl‘s side higher up the pitch, and it must be addressed this summer.

Gers’ defensive fragilities have been clear for all to see in recent weeks, and it’s gone an awfully long way to costing them in the Scottish Premiership title race.

Indeed, Rangers have shipped 13 goals in their last five league games, with eight of those coming during their current three-match losing run.

Hearts (31), Motherwell (33) and Celtic (38) have all conceded fewer goals this term than Rangers’ 39, whilst no side in the Scottish top flight has scored more than Gers’ 70, showing where the problem lies.

So, on a shopping list that has probably grown longer after these past three games, Ibrox chiefs have to make adding more pace in defence a key priority over the summer transfer window.

Rangers could press higher if they had more pace in defence

Rangers’ defence was tipped to cost them in the title race this season, and those fears have turned out to be true.

There’s a number of reasons why this has been the case: a lack of fight, quality and some questionable team selection calls along the way have all contributed.

However, one element that has been lacking in Gers’ backline this season has been the presence of pace, with only one or two defenders in this squad being what many would class as players in possession of it.

Whether it be down to age or just their natural profile, the likes of John Souttar, James Tavernier, Derek Cornelius and Emmanuel Fernandez respectively all don’t possess bags of speed.

Even Tuur Rommens, whilst being an excellent athlete in terms of his ability to get up and down the left flank for the duration of a game, isn’t particularly explosive when it comes to pace.

This lack of pace at the back can force defensive units to naturally drop deeper in order to limit space in behind, but that in turn often makes it more difficult to effectively press higher up the pitch.

Midfielders can be left in a state of limbo, not wanting to press too high as they don’t want to leave too big of a gap between midfield and defence, whilst also not trying to sit too far off the opposition to allow easy playing out.

As per FotMob, Rangers only average 3.7 possessions won in the final third per game this season, which is considerably worse than Hearts’ 4.2, Falkirk’s 4.6 and Celtic’s 5.0 respectively.

The fact that Celtic are top in this department is no surprise, with the Greens possessing numerous defenders such as Kieran Tierney, Alistair Johnston, Auston Trusty, Marcelo Sarachhi and Anthony Ralston all quick.

Indeed, Celtic completed 207 passes in the Rangers half at Parkhead on Sunday, with Gers only completing 101 in their half respectively.

Rangers set to lose their only real pacey defenders this summer

Rangers defence does have players in their who aren’t short of speed, with Max Aarons, Nasser Djiga and Jayden Meghoma respectively all being quick off the mark.

However, the big problem Gers have here is all three of those players are only at Ibrox on loan, and are set to return to their respective parent clubs this summer.

So, the majority of pace that Rangers do have at the back will be departing their squad at the end of the season, leaving a big problem for Ibrox chiefs to solve.

If Rangers want to have a better chance at being stronger in defence next season, as well as more aggressive and press higher up the pitch, then reinforcing their backline with pace has to be on their summer transfer to-do list.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Govan.