Caixinha substitutions signal end for usual suspects
THURSDAY night was a bright fresh beginning for Rangers, but it was a brave new dawn clouded with the same old problems.
The Ibrox club are back in Europe for the first time in six years and it was of course a winning return.
A 1-0 win over Progres Niederkorn is not much to shout about, but it is a tentative step in the right direction. The job should be finished in Luxembourg on Tuesday. Famous last words. But even the most loyal Rangers fan would concede Thursday night’s performance in the Europa League first round qualifier still had plenty room for improvement.
Despite loads of possession and most of the attacking play, attempts on the Progres goal were limited to just five, while seven corners came to nothing. In defence, a familiar vulnerability was displayed, even if only briefly.
There have been a few excuses and reasons trotted out already to explain the slightly anti-climactic display.
It’s early in the season, players are still bedding in, there has been a huge influx of new players that it will take time for them to gel.
All are true, but not all are relevant.
Of the 11 who took to the park at 7.45pm on Thursday night, only three of them were new signings i n the form of Fabio Cardoso, Ryan Jack and Dalcio. All three performed admirably, albeit intermittently.
Taking Niko Kranjcar out of the equation – the Croat was superb – and the ever young Kenny Miller, the rest are the group that frustrated for the most part last season and at times the term before.
It’s the same old story for certain faces who, for all their efforts, simply don’t look like cutting it.
If you are needing a hint, just take a look at those who exited the field of play early. While Kranjcar was taken off due to lack of fitness, Jason Holt and Martyn Waghorn both were replaced by the two men who will most probably replace them on a permanent basis.
Alfredo Morelos came on in attack and Daniel Candeias replaced Holt in midfield to try and offer something different, and even in a short time both looked lively.
While Holt’s endeavour and dig may keep him in Pedro Caixinha’s plans in some shape or form, it is becoming increas- ingly difficult to see a future at Ibrox for Waghorn.
The 27-year-old’s trajectory in light blue is one that has seen him never really rediscover the form he enjoyed prior to injuring his knee during the club’s final season in the Championship. Prior to that he had netted 28 goals. Since then, he has managed 16 in 43 appearances.
On Thursday night the Englishman ran himself into the ground but never looked like threatening, a trait that’s becoming familiar in recent months.
It’s his work rate that perhaps earned him a chance on the European stage under Caixinha, an opportunity not afforded to some of his teammates. It’s one he didn’t truly grasp.
Was Thursday night good enough for Rangers?
At this stage, probably just about. However, some of the familiar faces could vanish from sight if a repeat is forthcoming, if not already. THE world of social media in Paisley went into meltdown on Thursday after St Mirren’s kit manufacturer Joma revealed fans could iron on new ‘supporter badges’ on to their new top.
Some of the medals of hon- our included ‘season ticket holder’, ‘away travel fan’ or ‘if you know the history’.
I’m not quite sure the away travel badge, complete with a picture of a wee aeroplane, is entirely justified for that arduous flight to Dumbarton on a Tuesday night.
Perhaps they should add a few extras to the collection including ‘I survived Tommy Craig’ ‘Macaroni Pie survivor’ and ‘Head needs testing’. JASON CUMMINGS has set his sights on back-toback promotions as he targets a crack at the English Premier League with Nottingham Forest.
The 21-year-old bagged 23 goals for Hibs last season as they romped to the Championship title, earning the Scotland under-21 star a £1million switch to the City Ground.
Mark Warburton’s side returned to training this week and, as Cummings acclimatises to his new surroundings, he insists there is no reason he cannot repeat the feat south of the border.
He said: “This is a good time to come into the club because it is a club on the way up. With the calibre of player we have got, we need to be aiming for promotion – we need to get into the Premier League.
“I feel as though the gaffer is wanting to do that as well, so I don’t see why that is not something we should aim for. It is a fantastic club and a massive opportunity for me.”
Cummings hit 71 goals for Hibs and also helped them end their Scottish Cup hoodoo in 2016.
However, he insists the move to Forest has already been a step up in standard. He continued: “It has been hard work but I have enjoyed it. It has been good so far and I have enjoyed the training drills that the manager has put on. I feel like I am going to learn a lot over the season.
“It is a bit of a step up. It is different to Scotland and obviously the standard of the players is a bit better. It feels like they are a lot bigger and fitter and the way they play is faster and quicker. It takes time to adapt but I feel like I am getting there.”
Forest will step up their pre-season preparations with a trip to Miami on Monday and Cummings said: “I’ll have to get my sun cream on! I am looking forward to it. It will be great for a bit of team bonding and to get know the lads a bit better while we are out there.
“It is hard when you are the newbie to get to know everyone. There is a lot of players and you have a lot of information to take in. But going to America will be good for me to get to know them better.”