match thread (image) [FT] Union SG 2 - 0 Rangers

[buster. 5,193]

We only started 3 of the new lads on Tuesday but they were all in the same area of the pitch.

 

Tillman, Matondo and Colak haven't had much gametime together and once USG got themselves sorted out, were easily isolated from the rest of the team. Our starting XI seemed to encourage this isolation with deep lying midfielders who are more comfortable closer to our central defenders than the centre forward.

 

It was predictable what would happen with Colak. It has happened in most games this season and makes defending against us easier. Cut off the supply and we might as well be playing with 10.

 

USG got their tactics right. They put a real shift in, stifled us, didn't let us get any rhythm in our play and prevented us getting into dangerous areas. They attacked us with gusto, they were dribbling past our defensive players with relative ease and finding lots of space in the last third. Under any kind of concerted pressure, our defence is found wanting. It might be ok against SPFL diddy teams who get beaten home and away by Sligo Rovers, but not at this level.

 

Our tactics seemed to come from the past when a one goal defeat away from home was considered as  acceptable. To be fair, under Gio, we have retrieved one goal deficits in our last two European games at Ibrox. Perhaps this contributed to stifle our approach but when the second went in, the approach was laid bare for what it was and history tells us that we have never cameback from a 2 goal deficit in 66 years of European football.

 

One more thing is that we went into this tie, undercooked.

I expressed concern about this several weeks ago, then we sold Aribo and brought some players in. It was always a big ask to bed new players in and get everyone up to speed in time for the CLQ. 

The new players might have a good Rangers career but teething problems are nothing new, even for the best who have played for us....

Add the injuries and players not anywhere close to match sharpness for some (eg. Jack).  

 

It is a real problem when you have difficult qualifiers first up. The only obvious way to solve it, is to qualify directly......No early qualifying rounds actually seem to work against us. 

 

USG had 2 new players in their starting line-up, played their first summer friendly on June 28 and were visibly more match-fit than us. They also appeared to want it more and weren't hesitant in their approach.

 

 

 

 

Edited August 4, 2022 by buster.

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,752]

8 hours ago, MacK1950 said:

I normally am but last night rankled as it seemed there was no real effort shown,IMO,and having attended games for nearly sixty years it was a low for me.

 

Regards training it is obvious that all levels at Rangers are coached in same tactic sand individuality is now hard to come by.

 

Roll the returns of Kent/Morelos the two players other teams respect/fear.

 

Anyway I will be there on Tuesday hoping for the big turnaround but unfortunately will miss Saturday due to a family commitment,seat subbed my seat.

I hear you Mack. It was a bitter pill to swallow but like you I've seen a lot of Rangers games. IMO we were always going to have a hangover after last year's amazing run. This was different to 2008 in so many ways as we got to this final by reaching the heights. I just didn't think the come down would be so brutal!

I think we need to focus on what we want this season. The title is THE priority IMO. Europe is a bonus (if it works out). We've brought in some good players that just need time to settle and get used to what is required at Rangers. For me, our immediate aim is maximum points in the league until we head to the cesspit in the east of the city. Hopefully over that period we get established players back and get some new players gaining confidence. Do I want us to pummel the Belgians next week? Of course I bloody do but it is a long season and I don't want to derail it before the first stop because we've not replicated the Euro success from last year. 

[Thinker 887]

I see USG just got royally humped 3-0 by Mechelen - who lost their first two games of the season.

 

If they can do it we can do it.

 

 

[Rousseau 10,618]

12 hours ago, Thinker said:

I see USG just got royally humped 3-0 by Mechelen - who lost their first two games of the season.

 

If they can do it we can do it.

 

 

[ian1964 10,724]

 

[ian1964 10,724]

 

[Gonzo79 15,294]

USG are crap.

 

We did one Hell of a job making them look average.  Quite something.

[Franc Ergs 1,651]

USG beaten 3-0 doesn't surprise me at all ,they are not a particularly great side, but they do understand the importance of qualifying for the CL.

[BlackSocksRedTops 3,752]

The team in Europe at the end of last season would destroy this team at Ibrox. Unfortunately, we are miles off that level at the moment but I still fully expect to win the game on Tuesday. Whether that will be enough to progress is a different matter.

[CammyF 8,097]

2 hours ago, BlackSocksRedTops said:

The team in Europe at the end of last season would destroy this team at Ibrox. Unfortunately, we are miles off that level at the moment but I still fully expect to win the game on Tuesday. Whether that will be enough to progress is a different matter.

And we were miles of that level when we played Malmo. Its because its early in the season. Without checking back, I doubt many on here predicted a Europa League final when we lost to Malmo.