What Philippe Clement has managed to achieve with Rangers since taking charge last year is nothing short of miraculous given what he has had to work with.
The Gers boss has consistently seen almost a full team’s worth of his squad missing and had his hands tied when trying to select a forward line in particular – not many clubs could keep winning with their first choice wingers, number ten and striker missing.
He has also inherited something of a mess in other areas with several Rangers players talking about an increase in standards on and off the training ground but the Women’s team has shown the way in another area that has left a lot to be desired.
Philippe Clement should have Rangers rethink for obvious issue
When Michael Beale was manager, there were early signs in pre-season that something wasn’t right.
Aside from pressing teams high up – and penalties – there didn’t seem to be any real patterns of play or specific plan of how we were going to score goals.
Since Philippe Clement took charge, we are seeing goals from different sources and a variety in terms of how Rangers are finding the back of the net.
There is one method of success that remains lacking though.
In 212 corners in the league this season, Rangers have scored just twice from direct contact.
Four goals in total from the second or third phase and we have also been awarded three penalties.
Given the quality and quantity of our set-pieces, those numbers are way below what they should be and remain an area that needs attention.
When asked previously about hiring a set-piece coach, Clement said:
“No, because I love set pieces and that is a thing of the past but is also a reason, I think I played a lot of games as I scored a lot of goals from set pieces so I will not give away that part.”
Maybe the Gers gaffer could ask the women’s team coaches for some of their routines after a well-worked goal in the Sky Sports Cup against Partick Thistle.
David Edgar of the Heart and Hand podcast summed up the feeling amongst the support after seeing a Rangers team score such a goal.
Rachel Rowe and Brogan Hay linked up from a corner with the former providing a stunning finish, the type of goal we just haven’t seen with the men’s team this season.
Scoring goals from set-pieces can be the difference between winning and losing leagues.
Sometimes, defenders make blocks, keepers make good saves or strikers have off days, corners give a great chance to break the deadlock against teams set up to defend.
Clement might want to keep the corners to himself, but a good manager is always willing to listen to others.
