Rangers finally produced a commanding home performance, and they couldn’t have performed better in the lead-up to a pivotal Old Firm game.
Despite the smoke and mirror tactics, Parkhead has withdrawn tickets and the stadium has not been granted full planning clearance, so Celtic will provide very strong opposition, particularly away from home and without any Light Blue supporters.
Philippe Clement has yet to experience derby success, luck has yet to fall in his favour but the 3-3 draw at Ibrox and the Scottish Cup final display should excite Rangers supporters and the manager alike.
Philippe Clement must get Rangers tactics right
Michael Beale was guilty of over complicating tactics, however, the gaffer has no plans to change an approach that has been looking for dangerous by the week:
“We’re going to work hard this week with everybody to be ready for that game.
“To go hard to take the three points like we do against every opponent.
“I hope also to get a few signings in this week. So maybe they have one training or two trainings or no training before that game. So maybe I can even not use them in that way.
“And I’m focused also on the rest of the season. Not only this one game that comes. But we’re going to prepare us in the ultimate best way to be competitive in that game. And to go full for the three points.
“Not to sit and to park the bus in front of goal and to hope that something falls out of the sky. No, we’re going to go flat out.”
Rangers are already two points behind in the title race and dropping another three points would immediately ramp up the pressure on Clemwnt and his new squad.
The Gers boss would have been hoping to have new signings available but, as we’ve seen already with Vaclav Cerny, he is more than willing to make the hard decisions if players aren’t fit enough for his high standards.
Rangers squad is made for attacking football
There will be periods of the game when Rangers have to absorb pressure, however, as seen against Ross County, there is enough pace and threat in the final third to capitalise on the counterattack.
Rabbi Matondo looks sharper than he has at any point since joining and Cerny has added real quality on the right-hand side.
Add this to Cyriel Dessers having five goals and one assist in five and a half appearances, and Rangers have every right to be confident.
Clement simply doesn’t have the players to just sit in and protect the back four and going toe-to-toe is the best approach to allow players like Mohamed Diomande, Connor Barron and Dujon Sterling to be more effective. It’s been a long time since Rangers won a meaningful derby, now would be a great start to flip the script.
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