We all saw it coming. If you go into a game with big centre-halves who are good in the air but uncomfortable on the ball, and the opponent will press in the second half, you have to plan for a barrage of crosses. Instead of being an advantage, it turned into chaos and showed up a few uncomfortable truths about the team.
Big defenders and the cross problem
To be fair, Souttar and Fernandez win headers and will get you out of trouble at times, but tonight it felt like the crosses were a weapon against us rather than something we dealt with cleanly. When crosses come in repeatedly and our reactions are scrambled, it isn't just about aerial ability — it's about organisation, anticipation and clearing the second ball. We looked unsettled, and that allowed the opposition to create chances from situations that should have been routine.
Missing a midfield metronome
We couldn't keep the ball when we needed to. That's where a ball-playing midfielder becomes crucial: someone who slows the game, recycles possession and makes the simple pass under pressure. Without that calming presence, we forced things, turned over possession and invited pressure. You could see the tempo go from controlled to frantic, and once that happens the whole team looks ragged.
Legs, pressure and the second half melt
The two up top worked when we were fresh, pressing and pinning them back. But tired legs were always a risk. Once that press faded, the back four were left exposed more often than they should be. Six goals conceded in three games is worrying reading for any fan. It’s not a single error but a pattern: loss of control in midfield, poor transitions and defensive scrambling. If their equaliser had come a bit earlier, I honestly think they might have nicked it.
Truth is, fixes aren't overnight. You need better ball retention, stronger midfield control and clearer plans for dealing with sustained crosses. Small tweaks can steady things — but that second half was a reminder we’re not quite there yet.
As I mentioned on Rangers News Views, these are the areas that need sorting if we want to stop slipping in the closing stages.
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