- Kevin Thomson wants Rangers to start Connor Barron
- Thomson insists the Gers midfield needs a skake-up after Motherwell loss
- He wants Nico Raskin to play higher in a more offensive role
Kevin Thomson wants Danny Rohl to start Connor Barron after clear midfield problems against Motherwell.
The midfield of Tochi Chukwuani and Nico Raskin was completely dominated by Elliot Watt on Sunday.
The Gers pairing left too many gaps and were exposed on a few occasions, especially in the first half.
Thomson wants Rohl to add more discipline and bite to the midfield, which he believes leaves Rangers vulnerable.
Last week, I pointed out that Barron had to start against Motherwell to counter the creative sparks in their team.
Danny Rohl must learn from last weekend’s defeat and start Barron in the games against Hearts and Celtic.
What Thomson said on Barron and Raskin
He said, “I think Chukwuani will become a really good Rangers player, but I just wonder when he plays with Raskin.
“Raskin is an enigma for me, a wee bit, in the respect that I think he’s brilliant.
“Raskin wants to play as a six, but he’s got so much energy and so much quality to affect the game further forward, as he did against Falkirk.
“I think he gets wasted when he plays back there.”
For all Raskin’s brilliance, Thomson knows that a player like Barron must start next to him to provide the defensive edge.
“I think a Connor Baron would play that role better.
“I think it would then take the shackles off Nico Raskin and allow him to go and join in and run.
“Play like how a player would play in the school playground.”
Read Rangers analysis
A player like Connor Barron is a nightmare for opposition teams.
The midfielder is a workhorse and is exceptional at breaking up opposition attacks and dictating the game.
Unlike Chukwuani and Raskin, Barron enjoys being the protector of the defence, hence stopping any through balls from the defence to attack.
Against Motherwell, who had Elliot Watt in the six and Elijah Just roaming in the 8, Barron would’ve been the perfect starter.
However, that game is in the past, and the Gers must focus on the future.
Against teams like Hearts and Celtic, who’ve proved to have quality all over the pitch, Rohl has the chance to start Barron.
He and Raskin offer a balance between defence and attack, which is perfect for the next two games.
Barron will sniff out the oncoming danger, while Raskin can race forward to create and score goals.
Do you think it’s time for Rohl to start Barron for the remaining games?
