Kris Boyd tells Sky 'massive problem' plaguing Gers with trio under pressure to solve it
12/02/2024 11:00 AM
Kris Boyd is a striker of a different era at Rangers but how the Gers could use a finisher of the former Ibrox number nine's ilk right now.
Back when Rangers swore by playing two hitmen up top, Kris Boyd carved out an extraordinary scoring career at Ibrox and was always on hand to tuck loose balls and half chances away.
It's no exaggeration to say Rangers do not have a single player with the finishing prowess of prime Boydie in their ranks right now.
Having scored three away goals all season, St Johnstone midfielder Jason Holt is now tied with Tom Lawrence and Nedim Bajrami in terms of league goals on the road this season.
It's a depressing statistic and one which is at the heart of Kris Boyd's suggestion that the club has a 'massive problem' in its number nine position.
Kris Boyd on 'massive problem' at Rangers
"When you look at Rangers a lot of the problems are coming from the disconnect from that central striker, for me," Boyd told Sky Sports.
"I know they're not creating a lot of opportunities but you look at Cerny, he's coming in looking for his striker and they're nowhere to be seen, trying that combination play.
"When players are getting to the byline and they're looking to cut things back, strikers are past the front post, they're not in a position to affect it really.
"That's all well if you're playing with two up front and one of the strikers gets beyond because they know the other one is going to be in the middle, or if you're the one that gets past it, midfielders are getting in the box.
"We don't see it at Rangers, we don't see it.
"There's one thing that James Tavernier does and has done over his Rangers career.
"If it is on that opposite side from the right-back area he gets in there.
"He asks questions of the opposition defensively and that's exactly what happened for Rangers to get the goal.
"But the number nine, or that central role for Rangers, is a massive problem right now."
Rangers trio face Ibrox number nine battle
Having been over-reliant on Cyriel Dessers for the bulk of the season, Rangers now have an increasing number of forward options.
The Belgian-born Nigerian international has blown hot and increasingly cold for Rangers this season with big opportunities missed and a general feeling that Cyriel cannot be relied upon in the big moments.
For a Rangers number nine, it's an unacceptable position to find yourself in.
Brazilian striker Danilo cost Rangers £6m last summer but has suffered from a string of major injury problems. The 25-year-old is still working his way back to fitness.
There will come a time when that patience runs out however and Danilo, who is getting more and more minutes from the bench, will be expected to deliver soon.
And then there is Moroccan upstart Hamza Igamane, who really announced himself as an option with a deadly double in the 4-1 Europa League win over Nice.
Coming back to do it against St Johnstone was a tall order, and Igamane certainly isn't a silver bullet, but big things, and big bids, are expected of the kid in the coming seasons.
But as for who will solve Rangers' 'massive problem' this season?
With January looming large, the club could change tact, but for the time being it will be up to all three to collectively produce Kris Boyd-esque returns.
