By Duncan Wright
Seven days ago Rangers welcomed Premier League giants Liverpool to Ibrox in the Champions League. A week later the lights were back on at Ibrox but this time it was for the less glamorous visit of Dundee in the Premier Sports League Cup Quarter Final. Perhaps Dundee thought they could add some glamour to the match by turning up in an away strip that looked strikingly similar to Argentina. Despite the downgrade in prestige this was an important game in Rangers quest for domestic success. Rangers have won the League Cup a record twenty seven times but have not lifted the trophy since 2011.Progression and a return to Hampden for a Semi-Final was the least those at Ibrox expected.
When referee Willie Collum blew the final whistle the chorus of boos that ran around Ibrox told its own story. Rangers did not lose the game, Steven Davis’ header after 10 minutes proving to be the only goal of the game, but this was a hard watch for the over 35,000 Rangers fans inside Ibrox. After a positive start which included some nice passages of play the players became increasingly passive and the overall performance will not ease the pressure that is building around manager Van Bronckhursand. The feeling amongst an increasing number of Rangers supporters is that he cannot turn around the current malaise that seems to have infected his team.
There were 6 changes to the starting eleven from the team that had started against Motherwell on Sunday with Van Bronckhurst giving a start to Jon McLaughlin, Ridvan Yilmaz, James Sands, Steven Davis, Alfredo Morelos and Scott Wright. Playing a Dundee side sitting in the middle of the Championship this seemed the perfect opportunity for individuals who have been on the fringes of the starting eleven to create a selection headache for the manager.
Jon McLaughlin had started the season as Rangers No 1 but after a forgettable performance against Celtic, McLaughlin was dropped and Alan McGregor recalled. McLaughlin was back between the sticks tonight and in reality had very little to do. He dealt with one long ball that Dundee striker Zak Rudden looked like he may get on the end of, but it was a quiet night for McLaughlin with no opportunity to remind the manager why he had started the season at No 1.
At left back Ridvan Yilmaz made just his second start of the season after his £5 million pound move in the summer. There has been some considerable clamour for Yilmaz to start ahead of Borna Barasic in recent weeks with some questioning Barasic’s recent performances. Yilmaz started brightly, working well with Scott Wright down the left side. He was playing notably further inside than Barasic does and was regularly looking for probing passes in between Dundee players. Less keen to play an early delivery into the box than Barasic he offered Rangers a different option. Yilmanz had a positive first half and started brightly in the second half, including a rasping shot saved well by the Dundee goalkeeper, but, like many others, he drifted out of the game as the second half wore on.
Linking up well with Yilmaz on the left side for large parts of the game was Scott Wright. Having featured regularly at the start of the season Wright had become a more peripheral figure recently but turned in an excellent performance for Rangers in this quarter final. Positive, direct, intelligent runs and hard working, this was all that was good about Scott Wright’s game. But questions remain. Can Wright deliver this level of performance on a more regular basis and was the level of performance down to the level of the opposition as opposed to Wrights’ ability. He’s a conundrum but he was one of the few players from tonight to turn in a positive performance.
In attack Rangers had the luxury of having three fit strikers which meant Morelos was returned to the starting eleven, with Colak and Roofe on the bench. Morelos had two excellent chances in the first half, which should have seen him score and put this game firmly to bed. It’s fair to say Colak in his current form would have scored one, or both, and perhaps it could be argued Morelos last season would have taken one of the chances. It’s clear Morelos lacks match sharpness but his overall performance was disappointing. Although it could be argued he received little service his overall attitude and demeanour does not suggest he is happy playing second fiddle to Colak. He was substituted after 73 minutes for Kemar Roofe who was making a welcome return after a lengthy injury spell. Roofe in contrast to Morelos looked sharp and eager to play his part. If he can stay fit he could prove to be a welcome addition to the striking options at Rangers disposal.
Leon King started again and he gave another assured performance at Centre Half. Although he had little to do, King continues to grow as a player and can only benefit from another ninety minutes of competitive football. Charlie McCann was given the last twenty five minutes and struggled to impose himself on the game. Despite being two years older than King, it could be argued he looks slightly less ready for first team football than King does. However, like King, the opportunity to get valuable game time can only benefit him as a player.
Tonight’s performance, in particular in the second half, is unlikely to have caused Van Bronckhurst too many selection headaches ahead of Rangers next fixture versus Livingston. Perhaps Yilmaz will be given an opportunity again at left back but it seems very unlikely that Morelos will replace Colak and there is little doubt that Allan McGregor will be back in goals. Whilst on paper it looks like Rangers have some strength in depth the evidence tonight suggested that this may not be the reality and leaves a question mark about how Rangers will approach the January transfer window.
