2 Full-Backs Who Rangers Can Sign To Solve Their Woes

Despite a solid start for their new centre-backs, Rangers have had undoubted problems in the full-back areas this season already and it’s something they will have to fix quickly.

Goals and chances from crosses have already appeared to be an issue, with first choice full-backs James Tavernier and Lee Wallace allowed to maraud down the flanks, leaving space at the back. This is a very modern way of playing – but frankly, it’s a modern way of playing for those who are fit enough and good enough.

Tavernier and Wallace have been leaving gaps when they go forward, which has been covered either by Graham Dorrans or Ryan Jack more often. That, in turn, leaves a gap in the middle of the park and in a 4-4-2 formation and that’s not something you should be risking at all.

In a 4-3-3 formation, the attacking full-backs are not only tolerated but they are needed. Both banks of three tend to end up very narrow and managers, therefore, rely on the fullbacks to provide the attacking width. Think of Dani Alves at Barcelona during Pep Guardiola’s reign and you have the pinnacle example.

Tavernier and Wallace’s attacking strengths on their own merits at this level are not in question but given their limitations and the manager’s choice of formation right now, they simply aren’t good enough. The presence of Jack and Dorrans, as well as the central forwards brought in, means that 4-4-2 is the most likely solution from now on.

With that in mind, Rangers probably need fitter and/or more defensive-minded full-backs right now and here are two who could enhance the club’s overall ability in a 4-4-2.

Shay Logan (Aberdeen, right-back)

Both Rangers and Celtic have already taken a couple of Aberdeen’s best players and most commentators would appear to believe that the Dons are no longer a threat for the title and that they, in fact, would be usurped for second place by the Gers.

Logan has plenty of experience in this division having signed in 2014 from Brentford and may well just inject the sort of quiet defensive confidence Rangers need on that side right now.

Marcelo Goiano (Braga, left-back)

The 29-year-old Brazilian could supply just the sort of no-nonsense defending needed at left-back and has plenty of European experience, having joined Braga three years ago from Anapolis.

Goiano is actually right-footed and as such does not naturally attack with the sort of confidence with which Wallace does, something which could actually come in handy. He is all about defence and could prove to be a useful foil to Rangers.