Finally, it actually happened. Rangers have won a league match away from home under Steven Gerrard. Despite the 4-1 victory over the Lanarkshire side with goals from Ryan Kent, two from James Tavernier and one from red-hot Alfredo Morelos, it was far from being as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.
Furthermore, it leaves Gerrard with some things to ponder regarding the away form despite his side getting that monkey off their back.
I am now going to look at a few things that came to the forefront during the game:
Rangers are a completely different team away from home
Not winning away from home was becoming a ‘thing’ but the way Rangers play away from home is fast becoming the new ‘thing’. Gerrard seems overly cautious away from home, and I feel he gives these sides, who we are better than, far, far too much respect.
Things that I noticed during this match were that the tempo was so, so slow, which meant any time Rangers had the ball it allowed Hamilton time to get back into their defensive shape and nullify any threat.
Additionally, the way Rangers pressed was chalk and cheese. The high press was non-existent and it allowed Hamilton to have all the time in the world at the back. Last little point was the fluidity of movement or lack of it. Not one of the midfield would get beyond or even close to Morelos at times. Everything was so regimented, ponderous and predictable, and quite frankly boring. It was Hamilton that Rangers were up against and whilst I admire that the team can follow such a tactical plan, it’s Hamilton. We should be seeing free-flowing football, high pressing and rotation of the front six. We saw none of that; if we are to really put a marker down away from home, Gerrard really needs to let these players go and express themselves at away grounds.
Alfredo Morelos showed how important he is to the team
Morelos didn’t have much service and I didn’t think he had a proper shot on goal before he scored, but another week goes past and the little man is proving just how important he is to how this team plays. He was directly involved in three of the four goals. The first he one showed great awareness by finding Kent with an inch-perfect through-ball. He won yet another penalty by again showing the awareness to get goalside of the defender and his finish for his goal was calm, confident and clinical. Just what we are coming to expect from him.
Jordan Rossiter completing 80 minutes is a massive boost
It was a poor team display overall, but Rossiter playing quite well and getting 80 minutes under his belt must have pleased the manager. Hopefully, there are more appearances to come from him as when he is fit, I believe he will be one of the first names on the team sheet. You could tell he’s a fantastic player and ready to burst back with a vengeance; he looked tired at the equaliser when he failed to get closer to Boyd, but small steps for this big talent.
