Former Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam has envisaged set-pieces as the “huge factor” that could decide this season’s exceptionally tight three-way Scottish Premiership title race between Hearts, Rangers, and Celtic.
The Scotland international was renowned for his own elite delivery during his career, and he has argued that set-piece proficiency could determine the outcome of the SPFL Premiership title race.
Charlie Adam was a young squad player under Alex McLeish in 2005 on the famous Helicopter Sunday.
From that experience of the league race going to the wire and his later years at Ibrox, the former Liverpool player is well placed to give his view on the small margins.
Set plays can win or lose the league – Charlie Adam
When asked if the title showdown between Hearts, Rangers and Celtic could come down to a single set play routine, he responded in full agreement.
As reported by the Daily Record, he said: “Yeah, absolutely it can. It’s a big factor within the game. Set-plays can win you the league or it could lose you the league.”
Adam detailed the gains evident in Rangers’ play since the arrival of Scott Fry from Lincoln City.
The specialist set-piece coach has added to the tools at Danny Rohl’s disposal, but as the Dundonian pointed out, it’s all about delivery and threat. Rangers have both of those.
Rangers set piece advantage – the numbers
Rangers have scored 19 goals from set-pieces this season, just one behind Hearts.
Celtic have recorded just nine.
Rangers clearly carry the biggest threat with an xG from set pieces of 18.1.
Hearts and Celtic trail on that stat with 14.9 and 10.5, respectively.
Adam went on to highlight deliveries from the likes of James Tavernier and Nico Raskin, but it’s the overall effectiveness that is working.
He rightly pointed to Manny Fernandez as a key threat from set pieces that Rohl’s team must utilise as much as possible.
His strength, aggression and athleticism are partly why he is being monitored by European scouts, but for now, he can be a difference maker for Rangers’ title aspirations.
This week, the Nigerian international was selected in PFA Scotland’s Scottish Premiership Team of the Year.
The 24-year-old, who is the only player to represent Rangers in the line-up, has earned deserved recognition for his performances under Danny Rohl this season.
