Rangers Blogs

Rangers “left wanting” as former Ibrox star identifies key area of concern for Gerrard

|
Image for Rangers “left wanting” as former Ibrox star identifies key area of concern for Gerrard

If anyone knows what it takes to be a successful Rangers full-back it’s Alan Hutton and the retired Scotland international has identified a key reason to his former club’s recent troubles.

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton highlighted Andy Halliday’s inclusion as a key reason for the Gers defeat to Kilmarnock on Wednesday.

So what has Hutton said?

Halliday was an enforced change because of an injury sustained by Borna Barisic, with the marauding Croatian not being deemed fit enough to start, it was his loss to the starting XI that Hutton reflected on:

“He’s a massive loss.”

“Over the last few weeks, we’ve actually seen how much [James] Tavernier was missed, if you like, because of his attacking, going forward, pushing teams back – it’s the same for Barisic. He really stepped up over the last few weeks when Tavernier was out. Everything was coming down the left hand side, all the good play.”

“So for him to not be playing, it stuck out like a sore thumb.”

“You know Halliday isn’t going to get forward and whip in balls into the box, especially with the quality that Barisic has, so it was a massive loss. I think Kilmarnock tried to play down that side, maybe knowing that Halliday isn’t the strongest defender.”

“This is one of those things, you have to step up and take control of the situation, but I just think Rangers were left wanting.”

So is Hutton correct?

Halliday isn’t a natural full-back but his basic athleticism doesn’t allow him to replicate the output of Barisic – who is one of the fittest players in the squad – and invariably he will play safe and not put himself into the position where he is constantly having to make recovery runs.

The problem isn’t just attacking though, he was culpable at both Kilmarnock goals, for the equaliser he failed to prevent the initial cross then didn’t make tuck in behind Katic at the back post leaving Stephen O’Donnell unmarked and for their second – although Connor Goldson takes most of the blame – a full-back should always be prepared to cover their nearest centre-half.

Do you want Andy Halliday to be released in the summer?

Yes

Yes

No

Rangers do not yet have the squad depth to cover Tavernier or Barisic being injured with Halliday, Matt Polster and Jon Flanagan incapable of providing anywhere near the same quality or fitting into the system and style of play, a problem that needs to be addressed in the summer if Steven Gerrard is to avoid another league campaign over by Valentines’ Day next season.

Share this article