Time and time again, already this season, Rangers are proving to be a soft touch when it comes to set-pieces, especially corners.
Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst was far from convincing in his response, post-match, when quizzed on why the team has been so poor with no signs of improvement coming.
David Edgar of Heart and Hand Podcast chose to put the issue to Gio, given that the opening goal was another free one, an unchallenged header from a corner with zonal marking at the core of it.
Zonal as opposed to man marking is more prevalent in the modern game but the current interpretation as deployed by Gio and his team is just not working. It is painfully bad, given the evidence that we are continually seeing.
Asked Gio about setpiece defending and why it isn’t improving. He said that we lacked desire to win our duels and made basic errors with blocking and marking. You can see full answer on RTV later. pic.twitter.com/dgJE4qIPQE
— Heart & Hand Podcast (@ibroxrocks) September 7, 2022
Unfortunately for the manager, time isn’t on his side just now.
A very tough game comes next at Pittodrie which could have further consequences, followed up by the visit of Napoli then Dundee United at Ibrox before the international break.
There has to be an immediate spark from somewhere otherwise an inevitable conclusion won’t be too far away. We will soon see if Gio and his coaching team can find a way to turn around this slump which isn’t too far off a crisis. Back to back 4-0 defeats is unheard of, three losses in a row will turn up the heat and noise much, much more.
Leadership is posted missing on and off the pitch just now at Ibrox, if none is forthcoming in the coming days, the response from the supporters certainly will be.
🎙️ Giovanni van Bronckhorst spoke to the media after tonight’s #UCL match against Ajax. pic.twitter.com/vnkdIsMwyl
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) September 7, 2022