A lot of the debate around Rangers right now comes back to one thing: lads playing in positions that don’t quite match what they naturally do. You can see the ideas, and you can see the effort, but the shape still looks a bit forced in places.
Curtis looks a wide player, for now
For me, Curtis is one of those players you like having in your team because he brings proper energy. He’s keen, he’s direct, and he’ll do the hard yards. But asking him to run a central area at this stage feels a stretch.
It’s not that he can’t learn it. It’s more that central roles demand patience and composure, especially when the game gets sticky and you need to keep the ball moving rather than forcing it. Out wide, that same determination becomes a weapon. He can chase, press, drive into space, and keep full-backs honest. Central? The game can swallow you if your decision-making isn’t right on the money.
Butland’s shot-stopping is fine, but the depth hurts us
Butland can win you points with saves, and there’s no denying he’s had good spells purely on that front. The concern is his starting position. He’s often so deep that he creates his own problems in build-up.
When a keeper drops too far, the pass into him suddenly looks awkward, or the angle disappears altogether. Then you get the panicked moments where he has to rush out to fix something that never needed fixed. It’s basic stuff, but it matters, because it affects confidence in playing out and it invites pressure for no reason.
Width, support runs, and players stuck between roles
The lack of width is another one. In an ideal world, you’d expect that to come from the right side, but Tav isn’t the same engine he once was, and that changes the whole dynamic. If your full-back isn’t flying, you need the winger and the midfield rotations to compensate.
Gassama has looked a threat at times, which is encouraging, but there are also moments where the support just isn’t there. When Meghoma goes on the overlap, you can’t have the wide man standing still. It has to be a partnership, either by going with him, dragging a defender away, or at least offering a simple option. Still, if he’s young and learning the league, you’d rather be working with raw tools than nothing at all.
Then there’s Dio. Talented, always showing, always wanting involved. But he can make life hard for himself by holding the ball too long or turning into trouble. That’s why I’m not convinced he’s a natural 6, 8, or 10. A spell off the right might sound left-field, but his energy could actually suit it, and it might simplify his decisions. Worth a look, at the very least.
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