Amid a frenetic, raucous night at Ibrox Stadium, there was an interested observer representing Dundee United.
Interim boss Liam Fox was in Glasgow to watch Napoli’s 3-0 victory over the Gers ahead of United’s journey west on Saturday.
As Fox has readily acknowledged, that will be a very different contest. Luciano Spalletti’s men are the Serie A leaders, while the Tangerines are rock-bottom of the Premiership without a league win.
Nevertheless, from a couple of eye-catching team selections to a familiar weakness, Fox will have left Ibrox with plenty of food for thought.
Allan McGregor: Back with a bang
It would ordinarily seem paradoxical to laud a goalkeeper who ships three goals. Nevertheless, 40-year-old Allan McGregor was excellent on his return to the Rangers side.
The veteran stopper denied Polish playmaker Piotr Zieliński from the penalty spot in the second half — and then repeated the feat when referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz called for the spot-kick to be retaken.
McGregor even got a hand to Matteo Politano’s successful penalty which ultimately broke the Light Blue resistance.
McGregor’s performance will likely prove sufficient for the ex-Scotland No1 to retain his place when United arrive in Glasgow — a familiar foe, given he has lined up against the Terrors THIRTY times in his career.
Bright Ryan Kent and Scott Arfield’s smart use of space
Alfredo Morelos’ selection grabbed the headlines but Ryan Kent was arguably the most impactful of the front-three; certainly in the opening 45 minutes.
The former Liverpool wide-man has been out-of-sorts of late. He is yet to open his account for the campaign and only teed up goals in two fixtures — league matches against Livingston and Ross County.
However, on the Champions League stage, this was much more like it. Kent drove forward, committed Giovanni Di Lorenzo and, until James Sands’ dismissal, was a constant source of danger on the flank.
If THAT Ryan Kent turns up on Saturday, then United must be on their mettle, paying particular attention to the area between right wing-back and right-sided centre-back in their 5-3-2.
Similarly, if Scott Arfield gets the nod, the Tangerines midfield — so often a topic of discussion — must diligently track his intelligent runs.
The Canada internationalist is a specialist at ghosting into dangerous pockets of space and getting shots away.
He forced a superb early save from Alex Meret and, if he had sorted his feet out inside the box, could have opened the scoring after the break.
A glimmer of Sands fragility on the break
For the most part, Sands has enjoyed a fine campaign. The American is calm on the ball, reads the game well and, as he illustrated against PSV Eindhoven earlier this term, can bely his stature and defend robustly.
However, for all his tackle on Wednesday evening was labelled “unlucky” by pundits on BT Sport, it was also rather clumsy, swiping over the ball and making clear contact with Giovanni Simeone.
Sands was also in the spotlight against Ross County earlier this season when, with the score still 0-0, Jordy Hiwula was clearly hauled down by Sands on the break in what should have been a red card offence.
🗣️ Dermot Gallagher says referee Don Robertson should have shown Rangers' James Sands a red card in the first half of their 4-0 win over Ross County ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/f2y0NHU6DY
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) August 29, 2022
On that occasion, Sands was left isolated by a Goldson foray forward.
There is a weakness to be exploited IF United can turn over possession and break swiftly. That will require smart thinking and pace in the final third. Could Glenn Middleton or Sadat Anaku be given a chance Govan, providing an out-ball?
Strength in depth
United can take almost as much from who DIDN’T play, as who did.
Wednesday evening to Saturday afternoon is a swift turnaround at the best of times. When you have been through a 100MPH brawl with a side as good as Napoli, it is no time at all.
So, one could reasonably expect the likes of Malik Tillman, Antonio Colak, Glen Kamara (albeit he was sloppy when he came on) and Scott Wright to come in to contention.
Not only will fresh faces bring energy and attacking impetus, but the Tangerines will be wary of Gers stars with a point to prove, with several of those players having featured in heavy defeats against Celtic and/or Ajax and desperate to prove a point.
A wounded animal
Rangers have now conceded 11 goals in their last three games.
This display was immeasurably better than the lamentable showings against Ajax and Celtic, nevertheless another comprehensive scoreline will sting.
One thing can be sure: the Light Blues, and their boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst, will seek to take that frustration out on Dundee United.
This fixture is now of immense importance to the hosts; a chance to pull themselves out of a mini-malaise.
As such, the Tangerines will be braced for an early barrage at Ibrox that will see their shape and resiliency put to the test.
