Rangers: A 12-Course Banquet of Huff and Puff
BBC Sport reports on Rangers’ recent performance against Jablonec, describing it as a "stodgy… banquet of huff and puff."
By Tom English, BBC Scotland’s chief sports writer:
Of all the dullness on display at Ibrox, Cammy Devlin’s five-minute cameo stood apart. A blink-and-you’ll-miss-him appearance from a substitute who was supposed to be a leader, a senior man, a guy to nurse Rangers to the endgame…
Devlin was brought to Rangers to add steel, not contribute to the mental frailties that dogged them on the run-in last season.
The red card he received for a ridiculous lunge fried the brain. The midfielder’s night ended with a deserved sending off.
Jablonec, organized but unthreatening, committed but lacking a goal threat, employed survival tactics reminiscent of Hollywood divas.
Rangers should secure their progression next week, but there are no guarantees. Derek McInnes’ team is honest but lacks inspiration and creativity, struggling to find space and drag defences out of shape.
Positives include a one-goal lead to take to Jablonec, a clean sheet, industry from Djeidi Gassama and James Penrice, assured defending from Olwethu Makhanya, signs of improvement in Naderi, and no booing at full time (in contrast to the half-time whistle).
The first half was an eyesore, with Rangers lacking movement, cleverness, and X-factor. Defenders looked downfield for passes but found themselves blocked by tight marking. Emmanuel Fernandez, wanting to be positive, had limited options and drew derision from fans.
McInnes’ frantic movements on the technical area reflected his frustration.
