Glasgow Rangers claimed their first win under new manager Michael Beale with a second-half performance which delighted the Ibrox crowd to seal a comeback 3-2 victory last Thursday on their return to Premiership action.
While the 42-year-old was a first-team coach under Steven Gerrard between 2018 and 2021, during which time he tasted victory on many occasions, this was his first competitive game as the Light Blues’ manager, and there is no doubt he will be wanting more.
The focus now turns towards tonight’s match against Aberdeen at Pittodrie, which will represent a different challenge, and Beale will be hoping that his team can carry the momentum from that excellent final 45 minutes against Hibernian into this game.
Alfredo Morelos was excellent against the Edinburgh club, scoring the winner while taking four shots in total, and he looked more comfortable in Beale’s new tactical system. Ryan Jack also impressed, receiving a Sofascore rating of 7.5/10 while chipping in with the second equaliser.
It wasn’t all positive though, with the centre-back pairing of John Lundstram and James Sands allowing Hibs to score twice and almost ruin the manager’s first match in charge.
The 22-year-old didn’t exactly click with the Englishman at the heart of defence, and with the American being moved between midfield and a defensive role under Giovanni van Bronckhorst, he hasn’t had time to properly settle into one position.
He wasn’t particularly bad against Hibs, although he lost possession ten times on the night. However, when the squad is back to full fitness, he will most likely return to the bench.
The American was miles out of his depth in the Champions League this autumn, receiving a Sofascore ranking of just 6.2/10 across his four matches in the group stage, losing possession eight times per match and winning just 41% of his ground duels.
Journalist Josh Bunting summed up Rangers’ lack of defensive options following a 4-0 thrashing away to Ajax in their first game of the group stage, saying: “The board have a lot to answer for, not just Giovanni van Bronckhorst. I don’t know how van Bronckhorst said he’s happy with the squad he has this time last year Scott Wright and James Sands couldn’t get near this team now they are regulars. Absolutely ridiculous.”
The quicker that Connor Goldson, Filip Helander and Ben Davies are back fit and firing, the better for Beake. Sands is a useful option to have, but when he isn’t settled in a particular position, it can have quite an impediment on the team.
His lack of chemistry with Lundstram nearly cost Rangers against Hibs last week, and if he starts again tonight, it might be the same old story.
