This impending Rangers vs. Hearts clash brings a mammoth selection call for Danny Rohl.
The German coach can’t afford to get it wrong like he did last week against Motherwell, nor can he wait too long to make any required changes.
Rohl and the players must get it right from the start, but to do that, the boss needs to find the right balance in midfield and attack.
Rohl’s selection clues for Hearts vs. Rangers
The signs are that changes will be made for this capital calling.
Rohl has indicated that will happen, with his words in the Hearts vs. Rangers press conference on Friday.
“I think you will have a lot of 50-50 duels, he said in terms of what will unfold in Gorgie.
“You have to win, you have to move the ball in good areas. You have to be very active, you have to ask for the ball. This is crucial.
All the signs are that Rangers will revert to a three-man midfield, with three of the four from Nico Raskin, Mo Diomande, Tochi Chukwuani, and Connor Barron to be selected.
In this writer’s opinion, that doesn’t mean a Thelo Aasgaard-type link man to Youssef Chermiti but a three-man midfield.
Protection, Security. Numbers.
Rangers must ensure Chermiti doesn’t get isolated
However, it opens up a significant problem. How do Rangers stop Chermiti being isolated up front?
There’s no real link man in that midfield. A player like Raskin can get forward, but can he run beyond as much as is required? Diomande has talents, but I don’t see his best work going forward.
Barron and Chukwuani are best off the ball and doing the dirty work.
The three-man midfield is what Rangers need in this game, but it means the wide attackers must find the balance.
That will be Mikey Moore and one other.
If they get pinned back, Chermiti will be lost up front. That can’t happen.
This is the crucial aspect that Rohl must get right. Rangers’ title hopes could be pinned on how this dynamic unfolds on Monday evening.
