Rangers progress past Alloa but questions remain, left-back need

On an afternoon where nerves never felt far away at Ibrox, goals from Nedim Bajrami, Manny Fernandez, James Tavernier and Findlay Curtis sealed the win.

Here’s how the Rangers Review saw the tie at Ibrox…

Rangers progress, questions remain

The home side started well enough in these opening stages without any glaring openings. Joe Rothwell injected energy into the play with fizzed passes designed to create and not just keep possession, while Mikey Moore’s bravery on the ball was welcomed from the left. It was Bajrami who found the moment of quality to split the difference, however, curling high beyond Liam McFarlane.

That lead was short-lived. Rothwell’s own goal could only be described as calamitous from the hosts’ perspective - from Bailey Rice twice being spun by Steven Buchanan, to the defence’s collective failure to man their box before Liam Kelly kicked the ball off his own teammate to score. 

Ibrox took a deep sigh of relief when Fernandez marked his debut with a towering header, created by Rothwell’s looping free-kick. Oscar Cortes ought to have made it 3-1 at the back post soon after, not before a few more anxious moments defensively as the visitors smelt blood. Tensions were eased just after the hour when Tavernier converted from the spot, after a handball descision was confirmed by VAR. The introductions of Hamza Igamane and Thelo Aasgaard would follow, but when David Devine headed off the crossbar and Scott Taggert finished a set-piece goal, anxiety on and off the pitch only increased.

Findlay Curtis’ excellent finish minutes from time, following good work from Kieran Dowell, finally spelt the end. All in, this was an evening that remained too close to the bone. One that should've been far more comfortable for the hosts.

Tavernier replaced Rice before the break (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Who took their chance?

In a sentence, no Rangers player gave Martin serious food for thought ahead of Club Brugge’s visit in a few days time. 

The head coach was true to his pre-match admission that he wouldn’t make 11 changes, settling for 10 instead. And given the size of this playing squad before you consider individuals not even in the head coach’s plans, alongside a heavy upcoming schedule, such a level of alteration made sense. Cortes, Bajrami, Fernandez and debutant Moore were among those handed a game, as was Rice, starting the game at left-back. Jefte is close to a return to Brazil, leaving Martin without a recognised player in that position for this tie. 

Rothwell’s inclusion in the team despite being considered first choice No.6 so far was indicative of the fact that the hosts required his tempo on the ball to get the team moving. Too many around him lacked the incision in possession to truly speed up moves. Martin would’ve hoped for a performance that demonstrated hunger to be involved in midweek, but instead proceedings were far from convincing. 

Read more:

• Rangers target Brentford left-back Jayden Meghoma ahead of Jefte transfer exit

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How did Rangers fare against the low block?

Last week’s 1-1 draw against Dundee and its lack of spark concerned many supporters, although Martin maintained speaking in the following week that improvement is coming. As such, even though little can be truly taken from a game against part-time opposition, the challenge, first creating spaces before chances, was being closely watched by those in attendance. This was an afternoon where entertainment should’ve been expected ahead of defining games towards the end of this month.

Throughout the evening, you could see this was a side who are fragile, still learning the balance between risk and control. Martin consistently tried to usher players higher up the pitch and in many moments, there remained too much indecision and fear of error. Aarons was guilty of slowing down moves too often and the dynamic on the right - alongside Cortes and Kieran Dowell - didn’t really click.

Rather than sparking belief that a fourth goal was possible after Tavernier’s strike from the spot, Rangers again were caught in a moment of lethargy until Curtis’ excellent late strike.

Left-back need is obvious 

Although the online teams dropped, appearing to show Cortes in an unfamiliar full-back spot as played against Middleborough during a pre-season friendly, it was Rice who started on the left of the back four. The midfielder played a few smart early passes and is expected to go out on loan this summer to gain experience in his natural central position. However, isolated against pace out wide before being replaced before half-time, the 18-year-old was beaten far too easily. Tavernier took his place on that side and Aarons remained on the right until the final minutes, with Connor Sammon causing difficulties.

Martin's side needed a late goal to feel comfortable (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Jefte’s £6m move to Palmerias, expected to be completed in the coming days, leaves Martin without any natural left-back approaching a Champions League play-off with Club Brugge. The club are believed to be keen on a move for Brentford’s Jayden Meghoma. The 19-year-old moved to the Premier League outfit in a deal worth around £10m from Southampton last summer and is highly rated, as well as being known by Martin.  

In a summer where Ridvan Yilmaz is also free to leave the club, Rangers need a long and short solution in that position. Most simply, a round peg in a round hole for this system. A player comfortable operating centrally when required and defending the line against pace off the ball.

Was the defending a concern again?

The balance to Rangers’ team was not helped without a natural left-back. Even still, the number of moments Liam Kelly was required to sweep up behind the defence before the interval was a reminder that, when defending big open spaces, defensive reserves can be very quickly breached. 

The Rangers Review reported earlier today that the club have withdrawn from a move to sign Real Betis defender Nobel Mendy. The 20-year-old had been identified for his physicality and comfort in defending a high line, but now attention will have to turn elsewhere. 

Importantly, the moments Alloa did create were not a result of Fernandez and Djiga. Defending with a high line requires total buy-in from the whole squad because a lack of pressure in one area can quickly translate into a pass over the top becoming very dangerous indeed, as a tense few final minutes with a one-goal margin until Curtis’ strike testified to that fact. Another concession from a set-piece is also a worry.

Too often on this day, there remained an unease. Martin constantly references a desire for brvce players, too many here remained in their shells. Perhaps the best way to summarise it? For much of the afternoon, it was Alloa, and not Rangers, who would've been happier with the flow of the game.