We Need a Proper Number 6

Let’s be honest from the off — I get why people like Coops and Kasier. They show effort, graft and they never shy away. That kind of attitude is rare and it wins fans over. Trouble is, effort and heat-of-the-moment passion aren’t the same as the technical and tactical nous you want from a true number 6.

Effort isn't a substitute for the role

You can applaud a player for running his socks off. I do it myself. But asking a holding midfielder to read the game, shield the back four and dictate tempo is another kettle of fish. Man of the match shouts because someone is industrious? To be fair, that happens. You can have 10, 12 great running performances in a row and still lack the screen in front of the defence that stops chances before they start.

Rino vs Barron — stop lumping them together

Don’t use Rino and Barron in the same breath. They’re different players, different CVs, different levels of experience. One might have big honours to his name and the other is more of a domestic figure. That doesn’t mean Barron is useless — he’s useful. He ticks boxes for the squad and the Scottish quota. But useful and indispensable are different words.

What we actually need

The truth is simple: we need a proper 6. Someone who organises from deep, who can drop between the centre-halves when needed, who breaks lines and starts possession with calmness. Barron and Raskin have moments. They can cover, they can tackle, and they’ve shown glimpses. But we’ve also dropped points with them in the side. That tells you something.

To change the club’s trajectory we don’t just need heart — we need heads. Souttar and Chermiti are other areas people point at; same conversation. Depth is fine, but quality in key positions is what decides tight games. So yes, give the younger lads their chance, back the grafters, but don’t pretend that effort alone fills the tactical holes. We need a true holding midfielder. End of.

Written by Stromtrooper1: 28 February 2026