Rangers have been starting quickly at Ibrox in recent games, even against Livingston we should have been in front but Antonio Colak’s usually radar-like accuracy was found to be wanting when it mattered most, hopefully, he has got his shooting boots on this week.
Against Aberdeen it will be no different, they will know that the crowd will get anxious if we aren’t creating chances and if it is 0-0 going in at half-time, they will be more than happy to just frustrate and try to counterattack or nick a goal from a set-piece.
Speaking ahead of the game, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was adamant that he wants his players to play on the front foot, put Aberdeen under pressure and get the crowd behind them, as reported by The Rangers Review:
“As I said before, it’s the way we start. We have to start positive, on the front foot and that will also get the reaction from the fans.
“That’s a normal dynamic you have in the games and you don’t want to start the way we started last week because then the fans will be almost against you.
“They’re not agreeing with what’s happening on the pitch so that’s why we have to start well, organised with energy, creating chances, positive thinking forwards and be aggressive. That’s how we need to start tomorrow.”
We all know that Gio is right, so, if this is what he wants us to do and the players just come out and start playing square balls then we can be pretty confident that they aren’t doing what they have been told to, for whatever reason.
Again though, it’s all fine and well saying that we are going to be aggressive and pin Aberdeen back but, we need to see it from the players. On too many occasions they have been passive and not brave enough in possession. We need to take chances and then fight to win the ball back as soon as possible when we do lose it.
It’s now about so much more than just winning.