Ally McCoist’s favourite tune rang out at Ibrox before kick-off.
Hell’s Bells by AC/DC boomed out the tannoy as a wee tribute to a Rangers legend’s OBE at Windsor Palace 24 hours earlier. Surprisingly, the highest it ever got to in the charts was top seven. But after last night’s distressing Europa League defeat to Lyon, alarm sounds would have been going off inside Philippe Clement’s head when it comes to another number.
McCoist was famous for wearing 9 on his back during his own glory days in Govan. And of course, the Belgian boss would love a striker of his ilk now. But no, a far bigger concern for Clement – as it has been all summer – is a number 6. And it’s not just football hipsters that will understand why. This Rangers side badly needs a dictator. In musical parlance, an orchestrator in the middle of the park.
A sitter, an anchor man – whatever you want to call it – they’re desperate for one. And they have been since John Lundstram left the building in the summer. Say what you like about the Scouser, in terms of what he did or didn’t achieve during his time at Ibrox. But when it came to controlling games of football? He proved, even at Europa League level, that he was more than adept at it.
None more so, than on their run to the final in Seville just over two years ago. Now, this isn’t a criticism of young Connor Barron, who had that gig against the French outfit. Gers’ little number 8 has enjoyed an impressive start to his Ibrox career. Remember, he was brought in on a free transfer from Aberdeen and – if punters are honest – was expected to be a bit-part player for Clement. Circumstances, as well as Barron’s excellent performances, have meant he’s now a starter every week.
He made a glaring error in the first half here, which gifted Lyon a second goal just after Rangers had equalised and had a grip of the game. HIs ill-advised reverse pass – played blind – was pounced upon by flying machine Malick Fofana and finished off by Alexandre Lacazette.
It was a harsh lesson for Barron at this level. The ultimate punishment for what might be a minor slip up in the SPFL, but is a monumental mistake against Europe’s best. And credit to the Scot. Barron fetched the ball from the net, held his hand up and NEVER hid.
It definitely affected him, how couldn’t it? But he still showed for the ball at every opportunity, taking it off his centre-backs in a bid to get Clement’s team going. But the point is, he shouldn’t have to.
To ask a kid who often wasn’t getting a game at Pittodrie last season to suddenly be Rangers’ midfield maestro at this level is tantamount to cruelty. Dictating the tempo of games – knowing when to slow it down as well as quicken it up – isn’t Barron’s game.
He’s a bundle of energy who is brilliant at biting around opponent’s ankles, not giving them a second to play. He’s a box-to-box man. A number 8, for the hipsters.
But Rangers’ failure to replace Lundstram over the summer has led them to this predicament. Make no mistake, Clement wanted to keep his old number 4 in Glasgow before he moved to Turkish side Trabzonspor.
Ultimately, the club’s finances and commitment to cutting their clot accordingly prevented it from happening. But the manager was adamant that a replacement had to be found. It was ‘in the plan’ according to Clement. It didn’t materialise and his frustration would have been exemplified watching a game like this.
Right from the off, Rangers lacked any sort of control or calming influence against Lyon. And you know what? It was the same story on Sunday against Hibs, despite their 1-0 victory.
Too many turnovers of possession, too many loose passes. The difference is, you can get away with it against Junior Hoilett and Josh Campbell. Not Fofana, Lacazette and the rest of Pierre Sage’s Ligue 1 side.
Rangers posed a threat in the first 45 last night. A bit like Hell’s Bells, it was heavy metal football which worked at times. It got them their goal and they could have had more if it wasn’t for missed chances that McCoist would have buried. But in terms of control? It just wasn’t there. It was like a basketball game. Too rushed, harum-scarum style.
Albanian flair player, Nedim Bajrami, looked like the only guy in a blue shirt who knew what he was going to do next. They needed someone to put their foot on the ball and run the game. The way Lundstram did in 2022 against teams, arguably better than Lyon, like Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
He wasn’t a world beater. But he carried out a specific role for Rangers – which no player in the current squad is capable of. Was that their only problem last night? Of course not.
For Scottish football, it was yet another sobering night in Europe for one of our big two following on from Celtic’s Champions League capitulation in Germany on Tuesday. Like their Old Firm rivals, Rangers don’t have the quality to compete against clubs like Lyon who spend £20million on squad players.
They were a level above. Clement said as much at his pre-match press conference. The numbers simply don’t add up. And certainly, until he gets himself a new 6 in his engine room – Rangers will continue to count the cost.