Rangers secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory against bottom-club Livingston at Ibrox, but the performance raised serious questions about the team's defensive capabilities and long-term prospects.
Defensive Partnership Under Scrutiny
The central defensive pairing of Nasser Djiga and Manny Fernandez proved particularly concerning throughout the match. Despite Fernandez opening the scoring with a majestic header in the ninth minute, both players struggled defensively and created numerous nervy moments for the home supporters.
The equalising goal conceded to Livingston's Tete Yengi on 18 minutes highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities. A long, high ball from Stevie May caused chaos in Rangers' defence, with Djiga caught on the wrong side of Yengi and Fernandez reacting too slowly to the danger.
Injury Crisis Limits Options
Current head coach Danny Rohl faces limited options due to an extensive injury crisis that has ruled out John Souttar, Derek Cornelius and several other key players. The German manager cannot be blamed for recruitment decisions made prior to his arrival, but the current defensive situation is causing significant concern.
The £3 million spent on Fernandez from Peterborough and the £8 million invested in Youssef Chermiti have been questioned by observers, while Djiga's £10 million move from Red Star Belgrade to Wolves before his loan to Ibrox remains another puzzling transfer.
Wider Team Issues Emerge
Beyond the defensive problems, other expensive signings failed to deliver against Livingston. Oliver Antman was replaced during the second period after a poor performance, while Thelo Aasgaard made way for Bojan Miovski at halftime following an anonymous display.
The lack of urgency throughout the team was alarming, with possession frequently lost in dangerous positions. Even established players like Nico Raskin failed to impose themselves on the game, raising questions about the squad's overall quality.
The winning goal came from Mohamed Diomande twelve minutes from time, initially ruled out for offside before being awarded after a VAR check. However, Livingston nearly equalised in added time when substitute Robbie Muirhead blasted over from inside the area.
Looking Ahead
While Rangers secured their fourth consecutive league victory, the performance levels must improve significantly ahead of Thursday's Europa League encounter with Braga. The defensive partnership of Djiga and Fernandez, combined with wider team issues, suggests manager Danny Rohl faces a substantial challenge to maintain progress with his current squad.
The victory papers over concerning cracks in Rangers' setup, and sporting director Kevin Thelwell's recruitment team will likely face renewed scrutiny after this performance.
