The first half at Ibrox on Sunday provided some answers. The second period only raised questions for Danny Rohl. This time, he needs a complete performance and – more importantly – a victory as the Old Firm meet once again.
Rohl’s decisions, both pre-match and in game, have come in for comment and criticism of late. The importance of this fixture speaks for itself in terms of the season for Rangers but there is plenty riding on it for Rohl, too.
The 4-2-2-2 formation worked perfectly for 45 minutes. When Celtic changed their approach, Rohl couldn’t counter Martin O’Neill effectively and Rangers ran out of steam. Here are the big calls that the German must make to ensure that some of that history doesn’t repeat itself.
Read more:
- The worrying Rangers form trend that Danny Rohl must address and what’s behind it
- Why Paraag Marathe is stepping down as vice-chair - UEFA, Crystal Palace, 49ers role
Does Djiga replace Souttar?
First of all, Rohl must determine if he is going with three or four at the back. If it is three, then how do you shape up wide and what does it mean for Tuur Rommens and Dujon Sterling, as well as Mikey Moore and Andreas Skov Olsen? The latter duo would see their attacking influence – which in Moore’s case was substantial in that first period – significantly reduced if forced to stay wide and start deep.
While it would give Rangers an extra body in midfield and two up top, it seems unlikely that Rohl will switch from a formation that was so effective for 45 minutes. Jack Butland in goal with four ahead of him it is, then.
That leaves one key call to be made. Sterling and Rommens start, as does Manny Fernandez. Does John Souttar?
The Scotland stopper was under the spotlight after his errors in the draw at Livingston and an unconvincing second half showing in the derby has put his place up for debate. The needless fouls were punished against the Lions. Against Celtic, his marking and decision making were questionable. When Souttar makes a mistake, Rangers seem to pay the price too often.
Rohl spoke about the issue on Friday, citing the fact that Livingston scored two goals from three touches in the penalty area. A week later, the German was bemused by the positioning of his players as an eight against four advantage was squandered.
"We look back to the conceded goals," Rohl said. "I think we conceded too much at the moment. I think we conceded 16 all-in-all in the league since I've been here. And in the last five games, eight. This is too much and this is also part of what we have to improve."
Nasser Djiga has gained popularity amongst supporters of late, but those clamouring for his return are perhaps overlooking his form earlier in the campaign where there were repeated calls for him to lose his starting spot. He is no silver bullet.
Fresh from signing a new contract at Ibrox, Souttar wore the armband last weekend. That does not guarantee him a jersey, of course, but it would be a change of direction for Rohl to then remove him from the team. Rohl must determine if Souttar is more of a hinderance than a help right now and it would be a surprise if Djiga was to start for the first time since Fir Park.
How should Rangers shape up middle to front?
The decision to go with a third body in the middle of the pitch would see Mohamed Diomande return to the team to partner Nico Raskin and Tochi Chukwuani. Given the influence that Callum McGregor and, in particular, Reo Hatate had in the second half on Sunday, could Rohl be tempted to opt for numbers to give Rangers more control in an area that is so often where these matches are won or lost?
That trio would certainly be effective, either with a back four behind them or with three centre-backs and options to their left and right. Yet Rohl may see another jersey in the middle as being counterproductive if it means he loses a second striker and the chance to exploit a Celtic defence that is susceptible. In that sense, he could start from the front and work his way back.
Youssef Chermiti is more effective with a partner alongside him. Or, more specifically, with Ryan Naderi alongside him. Even this early in his Rangers career, Naderi looks like one of the keys to victory for Rangers.
If you go conservative, then Naderi misses out and Diomande comes in. If you go on the front foot, you have the same forward four as last time and demand more from Skov Olsen.
"He is in a good way," Rohl said on Friday when asked about Naderi's ability to play more minutes. "Especially this game on the weekend, it was a high-demanding game. He will play more and more.
"But I think during the game, I felt that we have to change something. Dio trained really well during the week again. That was the reason why I made this decision to bring a 10 on and sub the centre-forward out."
There is an argument for Diomande to start regardless. In that scenario, it is likely that Raskin is the one who pays the price. The second period on Sunday exposed the flaws in Raskin’s game, especially his use of the ball and completing two of every three passes attempted was simply not good enough in a half where Rangers needed someone to dictate proceedings.
Diomande changed the flow of the derby at Parkhead in January. Could his influence be what Rangers need this time around? Diomande and Chukwuani look destined to start. Raskin’s fortunes hinge on Rohl sticking or twisting.
Connor Barron is now close to a return to action after a lengthy lay-off. An Old Firm is not the time to pitch him straight back in but the midfielder could have a part to play off the bench.
Can you use the squad to manage the game more effectively?
Rohl got it spot on with his initial selection on Sunday. If Rommens had converted a chance just after the break, a three-goal advantage would have seen the points clinched. After that bright start to the second half, the momentum quickly shifted and Rangers never regained a foothold in a match that they were previously so dominant in.
Sunday was indicative but not definitive. It gave an insight into how Rohl wants this team to play, how he wants his side to win. The challenge now is to turn 45-50 minutes into 90-95 minutes.
"It should be our goal," Rohl said. "I think when you ask me how should be a Rangers team in the future all the time, then we bring our level versus Hearts and also versus Celtic in a really good way. I think this is, and I know we speak about results, this is the most important key, I said this many times.
"But compare the group from the beginning when I arrived to these two games, and it was not over 90 minutes, this is what we have to improve. If we can do this, keep going, then it will be tough to beat us in the future."
Rohl made just two alterations to his side. The introductions of Hatate and Sebastian Tounekti at the break were crucial interventions from O’Neill and he later added fresh legs, using all five substitutions available, as Celtic moved through the gears. Rangers, meanwhile, replaced Naderi with Diomande after 64 minutes and Skov Olsen with Djeidi Gassama ten minutes later.
It was evidence that the squad options are just not there for Rohl. Naderi had run his race after an hour. A knee injury has limited his involvement in training over recent weeks, and his conditioning had to be considered. The issue for Rohl is that he has nobody else in the squad of his profile.
For the same reason, he couldn’t take out Chukwuani when he faded or replace a faltering Raskin, while Gassama’s introduction on the right was never likely to be effective on the evidence of what we have seen over the season. Did Rohl hope that his side could hang on and get by? They were, after all, just seconds away from doing so.
Tavernier could have been introduced and the shape changed to make Rangers more robust. Outside of that, there were not widespread calls for Thelo Aasgaard or Nedim Bajrami to be introduced and Bojan Miovski would not have provided the focal point Rangers needed to get themselves up the park.
Those limited options will be available again on Sunday. The first XI is more than good enough. Teams win games, squads win titles.
Share