Treating friendlies like practice is all well and good, but they still tell you things. For me the take from last night is simple: Big Manny can be a real asset, but he needs to stop thinking he's already arrived.
Where it went wrong
He came in at 24, looked raw at first and then hit a spell where everything clicked. You could see why people warmed to him. Then, and I don't want to be harsh, the attitude crept in. It was subtle at first — a bit of swagger, a moment or two of overconfidence — but last night that showed up in the defensive shape. The back line was cut open too easily and Manny was being bypassed on several occasions. What worried me most was the recovery effort. There were runs where the run back looked like a casual jog rather than a full stop and reset. In a team driven by intensity, that's noticeable.
Can he turn it round?
Of course he can. He has the tools and the physical presence to be a real handful for opposition attackers. To be fair, it's not solely on him; the whole defence needs to communicate and press better. But players at his age learn fast if they get the right stick and carrot. You need reminders, not plaudits that suggest the work is done. A straight chat from the coaching staff and a few tough sessions does wonders. Most importantly, he has to show willing every minute on the pitch.
What I'd like to see
More consistency in effort and a bit of humility. No one is beyond criticism, but no one should be written off either. In training focus on recovery runs, tracking runners and decision making in transition. And maybe lay off the punditry if that's making him big-headed. He can still be brilliant for us, but right now we need the classic graft and focus rather than the flash.
Related Articles
About Rangers News Views
Rangers News Views offers daily Glasgow Rangers coverage including match reaction, transfer analysis, SPFL context, tactical breakdowns and opinion-led articles written by supporters for supporters.
