High attacking full-backs have become a staple of modern football. Liverpool FC are a prime example of how attacking full-backs can help win teams football matches. Rangers boss Steven Gerrard’s ex-team won the UEFA Champions League last year by utilising a system like this (The Guardian).
It appears that Gerrard has adopted a similar system himself at Rangers. James Tavernier and Borna Barisic are both contributing to their team’s offensive success by providing assists. Tavernier and Barisic have combined for 18 assists already this season according to a tweet from Rangers Culture.
https://twitter.com/RangersCulture/status/1193839789717540867
In fact, Barisic has eight assists himself, three of which have come in the Scottish Premier League (transfermarkt.co.uk). Tavernier has 10 himself, five of which have come in the league (transfermarkt.co.uk). In fact, the duo are the two top assisters in the Rangers squad, followed by Alfredo Morelos with seven (transfermarkt.co.uk).
Barisic assisted Morelos’ goal on the weekend with a laser point pass as well. The Colombian has scored seven goals with his head this season indicating that balls delivered from wide areas are a brilliant contributor to Gerrard’s offensive tactics (Total Football Analysis Magazine, November 2019, pg 88). Who do you think has the biggest impact on the Rangers team regarding assists? Tavenier or Barisic?
Who is more important for Rangers offensively?
Borna Barisic
James Tavernier
Keeping these players fit will be vital if Rangers want to continue with the success that they’ve had in recent weeks. The fullback position, while vital, is one with limited depth in Gerrard’s side. There are only two other natural right-backs in the Rangers squad in Matt Polster and Joe Flanagan. Polster only has 206 minutes of football this season, while Flanagan only has 1514. There are no other natural left-backs on the books for Rangers (transfermarkt.co.uk). It could, and should, be a position that the manager looks to improve on in the January transfer window.