Carlos Pena produced his best performance in a Rangers shirt so far as Graeme Murty’s side swept Aberdeen away at Ibrox.
For all the criticism of Carlos Pena, it cannot be forgotten that the Mexican midfielder has scored five goals so far this season.
Pena produced a clinical finish to set Rangers on their way to a hugely impressive 3-0 win against Aberdeen at Ibrox on Wednesday, the perfect way to cap his best display by far since moving to Scottish football from Guadalajara for £2.5 million, as reported by the Daily Record.
In the early days of his Rangers career, the fact that Pena was the club’s most expensive player in seven years looked a little baffling with the midfielder looking unfit and unsuited to the pace of the domestic game.
But his match-winning display against Aberdeen suggests that there is a place for Pena in Rangers’ team after all. And took a little tactical tinkering from caretaker boss Graeme Murty to find it.
Murty, who has been in charge of the first-team since Pedro Caixinha was sacked a month ago, fielded Pena at the tip of a midfield diamond – which coaxed the best out of his creative instincts.
The 27-year-old constantly found pockets of space in behind a lost Dons rearguard and once again demonstrated just what a goal threat he can be if given good service.
Last season, no midfielder in Rangers’ squad got close to scoring double figures – Pena is halfway there before December. So while he has underwhelmed at times, supporters will be hoping this latest performance is a turning point.
And whoever takes charge of Rangers for the rest of this season and beyond must take inspiration from Murty and put Pena in a position where he can wreak havoc.
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