Defensively, Rangers have been woeful in recent matches. In attacking scenarios, they’ve also not been at their free-flowing best.
Heading into their match with Hamilton on Wednesday evening, Alfredo Morelos is still yet to score a goal in 2020. Meanwhile, barring a clean sheet in the second leg against Braga, there’s been a real lack of defensive solidity.
Steven Gerrard is under pressure and it’s clear to see why. The Glaswegian side conceded twice against Braga in the first leg as they were carved open at will. They then shipped two against St Johnstone as well.
However, it was the goal they let in against Hearts last weekend that summed things up. James Tavernier made a mess of his clearance before Allan McGregor left his goal unattended to try and mop up the pieces.
Consequently, it left Oliver Bozanic free in the area to fire into an empty net. The marking was nowhere to be seen.
Defensive reinforcements will be key in the summer and one target has already been identified.
Gillingham’s Jack Tucker is reportedly on their radar in a move that could cost £1.5m. Ross Wilson is an admirer but with Celtic also in the chase, they could be beaten to his signature by their fiercest rivals.
Statistically, the 20-year-old stands out in some key areas. However, it’s the lowest stat on the graphic above that should be the most important.
Having made 1.3 interceptions per match this term, it’s a number that’s considerably better than any Rangers defender in the Europa League this season.
With stats unavailable for domestic competitions, the highest a central defender has averaged this season in Europe is George Edmundson who has managed one per game. That, however, is from a solitary appearance. Filip Helander has registered only 0.8 while Connor Goldson sits on 0.5.
Bearing that in mind, it’s clear that Tucker’s reading of the game and positional sense is greater than Gerrard’s regular options at centre-back.
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For someone so young, it’s an impressive part of the game to be a force in. With Rangers’ backline being caught out numerous times in recent weeks, signing someone like Tucker could be important.
He’s hardly a household name but it would be a shrewd piece of business if they got it over the line.
Meanwhile, Alfredo Morelos has had plenty of Rangers fans talking on Twitter…