Rangers could only draw 1-1 with Motherwell on Saturday afternoon.
New Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
Rangers midfielder Emerson Hyndman has told the Daily Mail that he felt Jon Toral played well in an unfamiliar defensive role against Motherwell on Saturday afternoon.
The Gers were hoping to grab a second straight win under new manager Pedro Caixinha, but were stunned by Motherwell after just three minutes, as an unmarked Louis Moult headed home after just three minutes.
Rangers’ poor performance in the first half prompted Caixinha into three half-time substitutions, with Andy Halliday, Michael O’Halloran and Joe Garner all coming on for defenders Lee Hodson, Clint Hill and Lee Wallace.
Caixinha’s changes did get Rangers back into the game as substitute Garner turned home Kenny Miller’s cross for the equaliser, but with no winner in sight, the Gers had to settle for a 1- 1 draw at Ibrox.
Fans were left disappointed by the performance and the result, and the main talking point to come out of the game is Caixinha’s bold decision to make three substitutions after just 45 minutes.
Caixinha’s attack-minded changes meant that Rangers essentially played with a back three of playmaker Jon Toral, centre back Rob Kiernan and midfielder Halliday, with wingers O’Halloran and McKay out wide.
Jason Holt and Emerson Hyndman stayed in midfield, with Kenny Miller and Martyn Waghorn supporting Joe Garner as Rangers went all-out for goals to try and get themselves back into the game.
Rangers’ Emerson Hyndman in action with Celtic’s Scott Brown
Toral playing at centre back was particularly fascinated, as he has largely played as a No. 10 throughout his career, but his ability on the ball appeared to help Rangers play out from the back and dominate the ball.
After the game, midfielder Hyndman spoke to the Daily Mail about the game, and admitted that he felt Toral played well despite being thrust into a new, unfamiliar role by manager Caixinha.
“I think it was a new one for Jon Toral playing in the centre of defence but he did well,” said Hyndman. “He was composed on the ball and we had a bit more passing out from the back in the second half,” he added.
What did you think of Toral’s performance against Motherwell?
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