European Despair
After the triumph of securing three points at a normally miserly Parkhead, Ibrox had been reinforced with some renewed optimism over the current state of affairs, with the excellent run in the SPL continuing and the side going seven games without defeat, and just the one draw.
However, a major obstacle still had to be negotiated in Europe, with Spanish side Osasuna enjoying the advantage after the first leg of their tie in Glasgow, and knowing Rangers had to score to keep themselves in the match.
A surprise or two were revealed prior to kick off with the news that both Boyd and Prso were on the bench, alongside Burke, with Rae, Novo and Sebo starting in Pamplona.
The formation was anyone’s guess, with some media outlets suggesting a 4-4-2, with others mooting a 4-5-1. In the end, once the game went underway, it became clear it was indeed the one up front, with Sebo charged with leading the line in solitude, and requiring to use his mobility and pace to unsettle the defensive unit of the home side.
Unfortunately, overall mobility was a property Rangers lacked throughout the entire 90 minutes, and even more disappointingly, it was not the only element missing from their play.
This Rangers performance was not the single worst display the club has produced in Europe, and being truthful it was not even close to that. But it was nevertheless one which was sadly indicting of the current poverty the club suffers in terms of genuine class. Even more depressingly, it appeared to be a throwback to Smith’s post-93 European displays in charge of Rangers, a period in which the club was routinely dispatched by the vast majority of sides it faced.
Wednesday night’s show lacked in pretty much every department. The side missed confidence and belief, with few players attaining pass marks – the cohesion and link-up needed for such a night was completely absent, along with the simple and basic need to pass the ball accurately. There was little attacking intent in evidence throughout the 90 minutes from Rangers, although at half time one would have been forgiven for thinking things were going to plan. In truth, the fact Osasuna’s ‘keeper was almost exclusively untested said much for how ineffective Rangers were over the piece.
This was a game they had to get just right; they had to bide their time before turning up the heat in the second half to get the vital goal. Regrettably, the hob never went past lukewarm.
How could Smith justify his side’s total inability to get forward significantly in a game where a goal was a must? A few decent attacks with some bite about them would have been regarded as a decent return for a tough away fixture, but this Rangers 11 simply did not get going, and this condemnation applied in the first leg too.
A lack of heart, hunger, desire and overall organisation has cost this Rangers team a place in the last eight of a major European competition. Their opponents were no great shakes, for much better sides have been overcome by this Rangers side, notably this season in Tuscany where Rangers defeated a Livorno team flying high in Serie A.
The difference was Rangers’ clear fight and intent to win.
That was crucially missing over the Osasuna tie.
However, a major obstacle still had to be negotiated in Europe, with Spanish side Osasuna enjoying the advantage after the first leg of their tie in Glasgow, and knowing Rangers had to score to keep themselves in the match.
A surprise or two were revealed prior to kick off with the news that both Boyd and Prso were on the bench, alongside Burke, with Rae, Novo and Sebo starting in Pamplona.
The formation was anyone’s guess, with some media outlets suggesting a 4-4-2, with others mooting a 4-5-1. In the end, once the game went underway, it became clear it was indeed the one up front, with Sebo charged with leading the line in solitude, and requiring to use his mobility and pace to unsettle the defensive unit of the home side.
Unfortunately, overall mobility was a property Rangers lacked throughout the entire 90 minutes, and even more disappointingly, it was not the only element missing from their play.
This Rangers performance was not the single worst display the club has produced in Europe, and being truthful it was not even close to that. But it was nevertheless one which was sadly indicting of the current poverty the club suffers in terms of genuine class. Even more depressingly, it appeared to be a throwback to Smith’s post-93 European displays in charge of Rangers, a period in which the club was routinely dispatched by the vast majority of sides it faced.
Wednesday night’s show lacked in pretty much every department. The side missed confidence and belief, with few players attaining pass marks – the cohesion and link-up needed for such a night was completely absent, along with the simple and basic need to pass the ball accurately. There was little attacking intent in evidence throughout the 90 minutes from Rangers, although at half time one would have been forgiven for thinking things were going to plan. In truth, the fact Osasuna’s ‘keeper was almost exclusively untested said much for how ineffective Rangers were over the piece.
This was a game they had to get just right; they had to bide their time before turning up the heat in the second half to get the vital goal. Regrettably, the hob never went past lukewarm.
How could Smith justify his side’s total inability to get forward significantly in a game where a goal was a must? A few decent attacks with some bite about them would have been regarded as a decent return for a tough away fixture, but this Rangers 11 simply did not get going, and this condemnation applied in the first leg too.
A lack of heart, hunger, desire and overall organisation has cost this Rangers team a place in the last eight of a major European competition. Their opponents were no great shakes, for much better sides have been overcome by this Rangers side, notably this season in Tuscany where Rangers defeated a Livorno team flying high in Serie A.
The difference was Rangers’ clear fight and intent to win.
That was crucially missing over the Osasuna tie.
posted by RangersMedia @ 11:43 PM
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