Kris Boyd on the weakness that could 'haunt' Rangers in Premiership

Danny Rohl’s side fell four points adrift of leaders Hearts on Sunday as they were forced to come from two goals down to salvage a draw at Livingston. Manny Fernandez scored nine minutes from time before Mikey Moore denied the Lions a famous win.

Rangers created enough chances to win the match comfortably but a combination of poor finishing in the final third and the form of keeper Jerome Prior left Rohl frustrated. A controversial moment that saw Livingston escape without punishment for a foul on Moore didn't help Rangers' cause.

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The German started Youssef Chermiti – the hat-trick hero against Hearts the previous weekend – and introduced Ryan Naderi and Bojan Miovski off the bench. And former Ibrox striker Boyd fears the lack of cutting edge through the middle will prove costly in the final ten fixtures.

"I think even if you go back to the Motherwell game as well, you take that big chance just before half-time, I think it's got to be a goal,” Boyd said of Chermiti. "I'm not quite sure that the exact amount of attempts that Rangers had, I think it was around about 31, 32 attempts on goal.

"I think only one or two were by your main number nine. It would be a problem, I think, if you're creating that amount of chances. 

"Listen, the game's changed, the modern-day striker wants to run about here and everywhere. I'll never, ever get it into my head, especially if you're at one of our big two, and I'll include Hearts in this as well.

"I don't see Lawrence Shankland charging about all over the pitch. I see him working in a line towards the middle of the goal. Whether he's dropping off 10 or 15 yards to link the play, but he'll always be in an area where he can affect the game towards the goal, because that's his role and responsibility.

Youssef Chermiti scored a hat-trick against Hearts (Image: Steve Welsh)

"If you are the number nine or the central striker for a club that is going to create the chances that Rangers, Celtic and Hearts are creating, I feel as if you have to do your work between the 18-yard box. But a lot of the time it doesn't seem to be the case right now. 

"I think Rangers' lack of a natural number nine that's going to score goals right now could come back to haunt them.”

Chermiti was the man of the moment at Parkhead earlier this term as he scored twice in a statement victory for Rohl’s side that reignited their title challenge. Now the stakes are even higher ahead of the return fixture this weekend.

Rangers have been accomplished performers on home soil this term. A derby double-header is a chance to inflict significant blows on their Old Firm rivals and the Ibrox factor could be key.

“Yeah, I think it does,” Boyd - speaking at an event to promote league sponsors William Hill - said when asked if being at Ibrox makes a difference to Rangers this weekend. “There's no getting away from it that playing at home gives you an advantage. The contrast in Rangers from at home to away would be a worry. 

“They found a way to get themselves up for a game against Hearts because they felt as if it was a big game. It was a team at the top of the table so they had to win it. But when you look at the performances against in the three away games I've just mentioned, I don't think they've been anywhere near that level. 

“Whether there's an attitude where you think I'm just going to rock up and you're going to win the game, I don't know. Whether there's a pressure at being at home, you have to show a full house that you're good enough to be there, whatever. 

"But Rangers have to find that… I don't want to say balance, but they have to find something from within the group that they can start to get the same performance away from home as what they're getting at home. 

“I don't think Danny Rohl will have any problem getting his team up for Celtic at the weekend or Hearts or Motherwell or whoever at Ibrox. But his problem going forward is how to turn this away form.”