Rangers’ full backs may be needed to defend more, according to Neil McCann.
Philippe Senderos
Former Rangers winger Neil McCann has told the Glasgow Evening Times that he thinks James Tavernier and Lee Wallace may need to tone down their attacking play against Celtic.
Rangers take on Celtic in the first league clash between the two fierce Old Firm rivals since 2012, and will be hoping to spring another surprise on the Bhoys – just as they did in the Scottish Cup clash between the two sides back in April.
Mark Warburton’s side won on penalties that day, and will be looking for another success this weekend, though many have highlighted Rangers’ defensive frailty as a potential concern.
Rangers manager Mark Warburton
Warburton worked hard to bring in some experience this summer, as Clint Hill and more recently Philippe Senderos arrived to bring veteran heads to the Rangers defence alongside Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson.
Senderos, 31, only joined the club on a free transfer last Wednesday having left Grasshopper Zurich at the end of last season, but may be called upon to help Rangers handle Celtic’s star attackers Leigh Griffiths and Scott Sinclair.
Rangers’ Lee Wallace
The centre back has big-match experience having played for the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan, Everton and Valencia, whilst he can also call upon his experience of playing in three World Cups for Switzerland.
However, one thing Senderos can’t bring to the Rangers side is pace, and many believe that the lack of speed in Warburton’s back line could be the Gers’ undoing against Griffiths and Sinclair, with ex-Rangers ace Neil McCann thinks that may be the case.
Rangers’ James Tavernier celebrates
Pundit McCann, who made over 100 appearances for the Gers, has told the Glasgow Evening Times that Senderos’ lack of pace may mean that Rangers’ flying full backs James Tavernier and Lee Wallace may be needed to defend more than usual to help cover with their pace, though he does think Senderos was a good signing for the club.
“What Rangers don’t have is speed through the centre of their defence,” said McCann. “I think [Philippe] Senderos is a good signing for his experience, stature and pedigree. But does he have the pace to deal with [Scott] Sinclair, [James] Forrest and Leigh Griffiths in particular? That says to me the two full-backs, who are quick, will maybe have to take turn about at staying home a little bit. That’s what I mean about Mark Warburton maybe having to tinker a little bit,” he added.
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