Rangers manager Russell Martin has been criticised for making strange selection choices in Tuesday’s loss to Club Brugge in the Champions League.
Het Nieuwsblad analyst Hein Vanhaezebrouck provides the criticism today, via Voetbal Primeur, questioning the choices that the Rangers boss made in his selection.
The Scottish side were comfortably beaten at Ibrox 3-1 as they found themselves 2-0 down inside seven minutes and then three nil down when Brandon Mechele struck in the 20th. That prompted some Rangers fans to leave Ibrox and go home.
Danilo added a consolation goal in the 50th minute but it was no more than that, with the Belgian side in control throughout and comfortable winners in the end.
It was a chastening evening for Rangers and manager Russell Martin, who has endured a bumpy start to life in charge at Ibrox since taking over in the summer.
They currently sit sixth in the Scottish Premiership after failing to win either of their first two games and now face the prospect of missing out on Champions League football after Tuesday’s defeat.
The pressure is already mounting and Vanhaezebrouck was certainly left unimpressed, particularly by Martin’s selection choices.
“It’s not a 3-1 lead in volleyball, you know. It’s football, and anything is possible,” he said.
“Now Club Brugge has a 90% chance of advancing, but Rangers has had its moments too. I had noted in my paperwork beforehand that there was something to be gained from set pieces.
“Rangers defend with a mix of man-marking and zone play. Club played that superbly: Seys drew his man away, leaving Spileers free. The plan was exquisite, and the finishing involved some luck, but that’s part of it.”
“Manager Russell Martin made some strange decisions. He put Meghoma at left-back after just two days at the club and moved Aarons to the right, while Tavernier is playing better.
“I didn’t understand anything about midfield: Raskin was too deep, Rothwell too high. That doesn’t work. Plus, without the injured Dessers, Rangers were much weaker up front.”
