Andy Halliday has pointed to Rangers' set-piece delivery as a persistent problem, calling the standard 'really poor' this season. The critique comes despite a commanding 4-0 Premiership victory over St Johnstone at Ibrox on 24 October, a result that extends the club's unbeaten run to five games and keeps them second in the table on 23 points from ten games, with a record of seven wins, two draws and one loss.
Kevin Kelsy opened the scoring in the 29th minute, heading in from a Ryan Naderi corner for what was only Rangers' second goal from a set-piece all season. Naderi then added a goal of his own just after the hour mark, with Kelsy grabbing his second and substitute Tochi Chukwuani completing the rout late on. This result followed a 2-2 draw away to Dundee on Saturday 17 October.
Halliday's pointed analysis
Former Rangers midfielder Andy Halliday, speaking after the match, was direct in his assessment. "One of Rangers' main strengths from last season was set-pieces," Halliday said. He noted the team has taken many corners and free-kicks this campaign without former captain James Tavernier on delivery duty.
The statistics underline the issue. Rangers forced 13 corners against St Johnstone and average 7.7 per league game, yet have only converted two all season. The other set-piece goal came from Naderi in the 1-0 win at Celtic on 20 September. This contrasts with the team's overall attacking output, where they created eight big chances and registered an expected goals figure of 4.57 in the latest win. The team has scored 17 goals and conceded just seven in the league this season.
Strong form continues
The comprehensive performance continues a strong run of form for Derek McInnes's side. Since their UEFA Conference League exit in late August, Rangers have won eight and drawn one of their last nine matches in all competitions. Their recent league form shows a sequence of four wins and a draw, making them unbeaten in their last five Premiership matches, a run that includes victories over Kilmarnock and Celtic.
Ryan Naderi, who scored and assisted against St Johnstone, is now the team's top scorer this season with five goals in nine appearances. The win keeps Rangers firmly in a title race where they sit four points behind leaders Celtic. Their next challenge is a trip to face third-placed Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle on Wednesday, 28 October.
Background and full detail: BBC Sport
