THE formation helped him outfox Jose Mourinho last week.
And while he had to make a few tweaks tonight, Barry Ferguson still found a way for his Rangers side to beat Fenerbahce – but he MUST change things up for the trip to Celtic Park.
Barry Ferguson managed to find a way past Fenerbahce in the Europa League[/caption]
But Sunday’s test at Celtic Park will be a different ball game…[/caption]
That’s the view of one former Gers star, who thinks Celtic could easily have the better of their Glasgow rivals if they opt to set up with a back three from the start on Sunday.
Ferguson was lauded for his bold call to switch from a more orthodox back four in Istanbul, which led to a 3-1 win in the first leg of the Light Blues’ last-16 Europa League tie.
James Tavernier shone as one of three centre-backs upon being moved from right-back, while the box midfield outran and outfought had Fenerbahce at sixes and sevens in the middle of the park.
It was a bit different this week, with Gers needing to rely on Jack Butland in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
As the game progressed, Ferguson reverted to a 4-3-3 as well, with Dujon Sterling and Jefte both hooked from their wing-back spots before the 90 minutes were up.
Ex-Rangers striker Ross McCormack insists a similar approach from the start this weekend against Brendan Rodgers‘ Hoops would spell danger for Gers.
McCormack said on Open Goal: “I’ll you you right now, if they play that shape against Celtic then Celtic will overrun them.
“In the middle of the park they’ve got (Connor) Barron and (Nico) Raskin in there.
“Then they’re going to allow the ball out wide to (Nicolas) Kuhn or the overlaps and underlaps with (Alistair) Johnston.”
Co-host Simon Ferry then interjected: “But if that’s the best performance of the games you’ve been in charge, why change it?”
McCormack said: “I just think he’s got to change it.
“Unless, they will speak before the game, and Barry comes out and says they’re going to set up the same way and play the same way.
“I don’t think the Rangers fans will allow them to play that way against Celtic.”
But another former Rangers star, current Motherwell ace Andy Halliday, said the formation itself isn’t as important as the wider game plan.
He said regardless of how Gers organise themselves, the game will be won and lost on their overall approach.
Halliday said: “It depends what way you approach it.
“I think a formation is the most overrated thing inf football.
“A style trumps a shape all day long.
“You could have a five at the back but still press high, like [Motherwell] did at Ibrox.
“They played a two-man midfield against Celtic at Ibrox and Celtic didn’t overrun them so again, it’s just what their approach is.”
Ross McCormack has warned Rangers about their setup against Celtic[/caption]
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