Scott Nisbet has told The Scottish Sun that Steven Gerrard’s Rangers have frustrated him this season and cannot play how they have been to beat Sparta Prague on Thursday night.
The Ibrox outfit travel to the Czech Republic looking to kickstart their Europa League efforts after losing to Lyon. A 23rd-minute hit from Karl Toko Ekambi and a second-half own goal by James Tavernier sealing the points for the Ligue 1 outfit in Glasgow earlier this month.
Rangers responded to their European setback by drawing with Motherwell before beating Livingston and Dundee. Yet the style Gerrard has implored his players to adopt this term has frustrated Gers hero Nisbet.
Rangers frustrate Nisbet in Sparta Prague warning
Nisbet feels Rangers have been playing a dangerous game and warns Gerrard that it could prove costly against Sparta Prague. The former Ibrox defender believes the Gers are taking too many risks on the edge of their penalty area. Which top sides like Sparta will punish.
“The key is to defend well and not to concede silly goals or free-kicks around their own box,” Nisbet said. “That makes life difficult and there has been an element of that for Rangers this season.
“I have been a little frustrated watching them because they cause their own problems at the back sometimes. I think they over-pass the ball around their own box far too often and they play themselves into trouble.
“We should be making the opposition defenders turn, not have our own defenders turning themselves. They are trying to be over-cute and take too many touches without going anywhere. Sometimes in the league they’ve been able to get away with it, but good teams like Sparta and Lyon will punish you.”
Lyon punished defensive mistakes
Rangers lost their opening game of the Europa League group stage to Lyon as Peter Bosz’s side punished their mistakes. Ryan Kent turned possession over in midfield before Toko Ekambi curled an arching strike home.
Connor Goldson’s goal-line clearance later ricocheted off Tavernier to settle the game. The defender was also fortunate not to see a red card after fouling Les Gones’ goalscorer. Mistakes Gerrard will need to clean up for Rangers to beat Sparta Prague, like Nisbet says.
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