If only it was that easy….
Rangers look to be waltzing through the Champions league group stages without much trouble at all. Regardless of how they have set-up in their two games so far, no one can decry the fact that four points from two games (including what on paper looks their hardest of the six) is an exceptional haul. One real shot on Alan McGregor's goal in over 180 minutes of the highest level club football can offer, suggests they must be doing something right.
In the past 7 years, Celtic have only played two Champions league games where a genuine assessment would say they won with any level of comfort. Rangers showed against Buraspor how comfortably you can win whilst only scoring one goal, so this is not about a failing with Celtic unable to go out and score three or four goals against European opposition. Even at home, a club with the expectations of Celtic really should have the ability to control the odd game without any lead seeming like its held by such a thin and wavering margin that its just hoped they can cling on until the 90 minutes are up.
A simple difference in terms of the physiological advantage held by Rangers, allows their defensive formation a far greater chance of success than Celtic’s failed attempts of setting up on a more forward footing. The confidence of ‘seeing a game out’ with a positive outcome breeds the belief that this can be done again, obviously having the players and management team with the ability to carry the system out is important, but with Celtic never having the confidence to relax on their own ability – be that offensively or defensively – when they are not winning, they seem to chase the game with a frustration, desperation, and lack of belief that gives the opposition too much of a chance to get themselves into the game. And if they do get in front; the frustration, desperation, and lack of belief leaves the ball like a hot potato and the players without the composure to carry out the managers instructions with the strict discipline and focus that European football necessitates.
Rangers simply believe that followings Smith’s detailed choreography will reap results, and by sitting the extra man at the back rather than in midfield when choosing a lone front man, they have added protection to a defensive partnership that creates the barrier they seem to rely so heavily upon. It appears ironic that regardless of it being a more defensive set up, that Rangers can consistently play with more belief that they can get something from each European fixture - with players focusing upon ball prevention, more than ball retention.
This is not for one second something I believe that Celtic would be prudent to follow, as not only do the Parkhead club struggle to pair two centre halves together but a lack of belief while letting quality opposition have the ball against you, is a recipe for disaster. However, perhaps after a couple of good results, teams of Celtic and Rangers’ level, of a decent stature but by no means top level, should play against good sides with the type of confidence that puts the onus and in turn the pressure, on their opposition to show what they can do, rather than the burden Celtic usually look like they are playing with.
Perhaps the financial position Rangers have found themselves in for the past few years has allowed them to develop the way in which they have approached European football. Giving them the opportunity to hone their 'style' without overbearing pressure.
"The thing about the Champions League is, we're basically going in for the money. That's how it is”
Being in a position where Walter Smith admitted earlier this year that they were using the champions league primarily as a revenue stream rather than a ‘competition’ as such, certainly changes perspective on things. However to give Smith credit, he certainly isn’t one of those from within the club easing pressure on the players to first and foremost get the best out of each game. Pretty or not, Walter continues to get the best out of a bad situation amongst Europe’s elite.
Given its level of success in terms of the sheer grinding out of results, there must be more than a slight temptation to use their European system against Celtic next week. With many of Celtic’s players playing regularly at International level (and indeed several in the recent World Cup finals) and with experience of playing in European competitions, would the vast difference in expectation in ‘old firm’ matches prevent Rangers from playing a similar system that they do against other teams with a similar level of playing ability and experience (given they did so against Buraspor). It would be hard to imagine Walter would be sure he had made the correct decisio until 14.30 next Sunday, as leaving Celtic Park with anything more than a draw would see any onlooker accept that a back five of Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, and Broadfoot was the best option to use.
It is often said that in derby matches form goes out of the window, a phrase which I find a completely incorrect assessment; these are games I believe to be won by a clarity, motivation, and discipline of system. Whoever can master that, and do so with belief and vigour, generally come out on top. But with a different environment and a more familiar opponent than in Europe, would the defensive set-up, play into Celtic’s hand, giving them the onus, possession, tempo, and indeed motivation to force Rangers onto the back foot and unable to get a hold into Celtic’s game.
Celtic will have to set themselves aside from Man Utd and Buraspor, they will have to not only dictate the play (which Rangers will often be happy for them to do), but will have to penetrate when they do so. This will be the first ‘old firm’ encounter for many players in the Celtic team, strong leadership from the few who have seen the course before will be needed, and using the ball well in the space Rangers allow them will be as important as pressing when not in possession to put this Rangers team under more pressure than in either European game so far this season. This is surely the only way to ensure Rangers defensive line goes home seeing their green and white counterparts win their eight SPL game of the season.
In the past 7 years, Celtic have only played two Champions league games where a genuine assessment would say they won with any level of comfort. Rangers showed against Buraspor how comfortably you can win whilst only scoring one goal, so this is not about a failing with Celtic unable to go out and score three or four goals against European opposition. Even at home, a club with the expectations of Celtic really should have the ability to control the odd game without any lead seeming like its held by such a thin and wavering margin that its just hoped they can cling on until the 90 minutes are up.
A simple difference in terms of the physiological advantage held by Rangers, allows their defensive formation a far greater chance of success than Celtic’s failed attempts of setting up on a more forward footing. The confidence of ‘seeing a game out’ with a positive outcome breeds the belief that this can be done again, obviously having the players and management team with the ability to carry the system out is important, but with Celtic never having the confidence to relax on their own ability – be that offensively or defensively – when they are not winning, they seem to chase the game with a frustration, desperation, and lack of belief that gives the opposition too much of a chance to get themselves into the game. And if they do get in front; the frustration, desperation, and lack of belief leaves the ball like a hot potato and the players without the composure to carry out the managers instructions with the strict discipline and focus that European football necessitates.
Rangers simply believe that followings Smith’s detailed choreography will reap results, and by sitting the extra man at the back rather than in midfield when choosing a lone front man, they have added protection to a defensive partnership that creates the barrier they seem to rely so heavily upon. It appears ironic that regardless of it being a more defensive set up, that Rangers can consistently play with more belief that they can get something from each European fixture - with players focusing upon ball prevention, more than ball retention.
This is not for one second something I believe that Celtic would be prudent to follow, as not only do the Parkhead club struggle to pair two centre halves together but a lack of belief while letting quality opposition have the ball against you, is a recipe for disaster. However, perhaps after a couple of good results, teams of Celtic and Rangers’ level, of a decent stature but by no means top level, should play against good sides with the type of confidence that puts the onus and in turn the pressure, on their opposition to show what they can do, rather than the burden Celtic usually look like they are playing with.
Perhaps the financial position Rangers have found themselves in for the past few years has allowed them to develop the way in which they have approached European football. Giving them the opportunity to hone their 'style' without overbearing pressure.
"The thing about the Champions League is, we're basically going in for the money. That's how it is”
Being in a position where Walter Smith admitted earlier this year that they were using the champions league primarily as a revenue stream rather than a ‘competition’ as such, certainly changes perspective on things. However to give Smith credit, he certainly isn’t one of those from within the club easing pressure on the players to first and foremost get the best out of each game. Pretty or not, Walter continues to get the best out of a bad situation amongst Europe’s elite.
Given its level of success in terms of the sheer grinding out of results, there must be more than a slight temptation to use their European system against Celtic next week. With many of Celtic’s players playing regularly at International level (and indeed several in the recent World Cup finals) and with experience of playing in European competitions, would the vast difference in expectation in ‘old firm’ matches prevent Rangers from playing a similar system that they do against other teams with a similar level of playing ability and experience (given they did so against Buraspor). It would be hard to imagine Walter would be sure he had made the correct decisio until 14.30 next Sunday, as leaving Celtic Park with anything more than a draw would see any onlooker accept that a back five of Whittaker, Bougherra, Weir, Papac, and Broadfoot was the best option to use.
It is often said that in derby matches form goes out of the window, a phrase which I find a completely incorrect assessment; these are games I believe to be won by a clarity, motivation, and discipline of system. Whoever can master that, and do so with belief and vigour, generally come out on top. But with a different environment and a more familiar opponent than in Europe, would the defensive set-up, play into Celtic’s hand, giving them the onus, possession, tempo, and indeed motivation to force Rangers onto the back foot and unable to get a hold into Celtic’s game.
Celtic will have to set themselves aside from Man Utd and Buraspor, they will have to not only dictate the play (which Rangers will often be happy for them to do), but will have to penetrate when they do so. This will be the first ‘old firm’ encounter for many players in the Celtic team, strong leadership from the few who have seen the course before will be needed, and using the ball well in the space Rangers allow them will be as important as pressing when not in possession to put this Rangers team under more pressure than in either European game so far this season. This is surely the only way to ensure Rangers defensive line goes home seeing their green and white counterparts win their eight SPL game of the season.
posted by Michael__67 at 3:56 PM
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