Russell Martin’s first sport accountable for Rangers ended with a 2-0 win over Panathinaikos of their Champions League second qualifying spherical first leg. What did we study? Listed here are 5 speaking factors…
The taking part in type is evident to see
Max Aarons was closely concerned from left-back
As has been clear at Martin’s earlier managerial spells at MK Dons, Swansea and Southampton, he desires his staff to dominate the ball. He calls for it. For higher or worse, Rangers performed out from the again, moved the ball rapidly, and needed to retain possession in all elements of the pitch.
We won’t ignore that the guests had a participant despatched off within the 58th minute, however Rangers had 75 per cent of the possession within the sport. They solely reached that mark 4 instances final season in over 50 video games in all competitions. Of their 12 Europa League video games final yr, they averaged 41 per cent.
Equally, their 708 passes tried and 655 passes accomplished (92 per cent) had been larger than any sport final season and nicely above their season common of round 435 tried and 360 passes accomplished. The ball-possession technique was evident.
Common positions of Rangers gamers within the beginning XI
Rangers lined up in a well-recognized 4-3-3, however the motion of the full-backs particularly was an enormous speaking level. James Tavernier and Max Aarons had been usually seen drifting inside the 2 centre-backs to choose up the ball. Aarons even took up house as a deep-lying central midfielder.
Rangers had been caught in possession on a variety of events, however that will not cease Martin from sticking with it.
A strong begin for the defence
Jack Butland made some essential saves
Rangers had simply two clear sheets of their remaining 17 video games of final season, and their woeful report may have continued if it wasn’t for some tremendous saves by Jack Butland.
The guests had their possibilities, however Butland proved his value and seemed stuffed with confidence after a tricky finish to final season, when he was dropped for some poor performances.
Defensively, there may be nonetheless work to be executed however Nasser Djiga seemed the half. The on-loan Wolves defender’s velocity and power had been obvious and he suits nicely in a staff that may look to play excessive however shall be vulnerable to the counter.
As touched on above, Aarons and Tavernier tucking in to extra central areas meant that there have been open areas out broad to use, and with John Souttar missing Djiga’s tempo, it may trigger some issues shifting ahead.
Will Martin change the personnel or techniques to assist keep away from this, or is that this simply a part of the risk-reward technique Rangers followers must get used to?
Rothwell’s affect shall be key in midfield
Joe Rothwell goes to be a key a part of Rangers’ lineup underneath Russell Martin
Cool, calm and composed. Joe Rothwell loved a incredible debut and appears to be an important a part of Martin’s plan. His skill to choose the ball up from deep, preserve possession and select a go had been all on present – and that transition is one thing Rangers have lacked.
Nicolas Raskin and Mohamed Diomande, two of Rangers’ standout gamers final yr, stand to profit from Rothwell’s presence. Raskin was seen a lot additional ahead than beforehand, creating possibilities within the field and driving ahead. Diomande thrives with freedom larger up the pitch, and Rothwell may permit that.
Curtis’s impression and Gassama’s power
Rangers’ Findlay Curtis celebrates his opener in opposition to Panathinaikos
When trying on the beginning XI, it was honest to ask the place the inventive spark would come from. Eighteen-year-old Findlay Curtis, who has impressed in pre-season, stepped up with a incredible opening objective – his first for the membership.
The system and formation seem to present wingers loads of house through which to function, they usually want to have the ability to beat a person. And no participant supplied extra pleasure than Djeidi Gassama when he was launched off the bench.
When his signing was introduced, Martin referred to as him a “participant who will get supporters on the sting of their seats,” and it did not take lengthy for that to occur. Gassama got here on within the seventy fifth minute and scored within the 78th, with a drive down the left, a minimize inside and a end from outdoors the field. It was virtually a carbon copy of Curtis’s strike.
Martin will look to his wingers to be the difference-makers.
The assault may look utterly completely different subsequent week
Djeidi Gassama scored on his Rangers debut to double the lead
Gassama’s introduction heightened the power. However he did not come on alone. Final season’s two prime scorers, Hamza Igamane and Cyriel Dessers, joined him. Igamane performed a component in Gassama’s objective, dropping deep to gather the ball, maintain it up and distribute to Diomande in midfield.
Dessers, regardless of hyperlinks to a summer season exit, should still have a component to play on this tie. New signing Thelo Aasgaard, who missed Tuesday’s match via damage, needs to be accessible for the second leg.
Even lower than every week away, there could possibly be just a few adjustments to the staff, significantly up prime.
Rangers fixtures: Motherwell opener dwell on Sky Sports activities
Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton make their predictions for the 2025/26 Scottish Premiership title
Rangers will kick off their 2025/26 Scottish Premiership season at Motherwell on Saturday August 2, dwell on Sky Sports activities.
Martin’s first Scottish Premiership sport at Ibrox will happen on Saturday August 9 in opposition to Steven Pressley’s Dundee.
The primary Outdated Agency conflict of the season takes place on Sunday August 31 dwell on Sky Sports activities as Celtic journey to Ibrox, a fixture that could possibly be key as Martin’s aspect look to shut the hole on their metropolis rivals this season.
The edges will meet once more at Celtic Park on Wednesday January 3 – dwell on Sky Sports activities – with their remaining pre-split assembly at Ibrox on February 28.
