Rangers accused of being 'too comfortable' as two Ibrox culprits identified after St Mirren clash
Pundit thinks Rangers lacked concentration at times during their win in Paisley
Rangers have been accused of being ‘too comfortable’ by pundit Alan Hutton after making multiple concentration errors in their victory over St Mirren.
Not for the first time this season, the Light Blues have been criticised for switching off when they go a goal up in matches. Despite the 2-0 victory at the Marbill Coaches Stadium, the defence still looked vulnerable at times and were perhaps fortunate that goalkeeper Ivor Pandur was on form to secure the clean sheet.
Lack of concentration is becoming an unwanted trait infecting the Rangers side. In Paisley, even in-form defender Olwethu Makhanya - who seemingly can do no wrong in a royal blue jersey - was caught out on multiple occasions. Meanwhile, central defensive partner Emmanuel Fernandez has been prone to losing focus ever since he signed from Peterborough last season.
Why do Rangers need to stamp out lapses in concentration?
Speaking alongside fellow pundit Michael Stewart on Premier Sports’ Scottish Football Social Club, Hutton believes the duo will have to faze out these errors if they’re to push for the title. The former Rangers and Aston Villa defender said: “It's their (Rangers’) achilles heel for me. I think they become too comfortable within games, they want more possession, but then seem to lose concentration.
“Makhanya, by the way, I think he's been an excellent signing - but he did switch off one or two times. Fernandez is capable of doing it within games also. It's an area where they have to be doing better. I think if you look at St Mirren, they concede too many and don’t score enough - and that’s probably the only reason Rangers left with three points on Saturday.”
Particularly in away games, costly errors in possession have already taken their toll on the Light Blues. At Dens Park, a short back pass from midfielder Dan Neil allowed Dundee to equalise in a match where Rangers lost ground in the title race.
Nick Walsh labelled ‘arrogant’ after awarding penalty
At the other end, Rangers were good value for their win, with a first half penalty from Ryan Naderi and a deflected effort from Neil after the break securing the three points. However, for the opener, Stewart criticised referee Nick Walsh in the aftermath of awarding the penalty. After Thomas Ramos fouled Gers defender James Penrice in the box with limited contact, Walsh refused to hear the St Mirren’s midfielders side of the story.
Stewart ranted: “Nick Walsh is in the perfect position to see what's going on. That is a horrendous decision from Nick Walsh, compounded by VAR. Also Nick Walsh's reaction to Ramos daring to - with no aggression by the way - just speak to him, was sheer arrogance. Absolute contempt for a football player that has no place for me. That shows zero emotional intelligence.”
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