Analysis Corner: SPFL Weekend in Review
By Jamie Logan
The last time four penalties were awarded in a game to the same team is very difficult to recall, but that's exactly what happened at Ibrox on Saturday. Rangers took on St Mirren knowing a win cut the gap on Celtic to just three points before they kicked off in Perth.
I do recall however, Steven Gerrard scoring two of three penalties in the North West derby at Old Trafford against Manchester United. A game they won 3-0 and ironically the manager on that day was current Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers.
Dominant Rangers make Saints' pay the penalty
Rangers have been a formidable opponent at Ibrox this season, losing only once to Aberdeen and dropping points once against Hibs. This time last year, Celtic, St Johnstone, Hibs twice and even Hamilton had emerged victorious in Govan.
Steven Gerrard moved back to the 4-diamond-2 formation that he experimented with at Rugby Park in the defeat to Kilmarnock. Alfredo Morelos partnering Jermain Defoe up front. Borna Barisic and James Tavernier started as the full backs, while Steven Davis started in midfield. The tip of the diamond was young Ryan Kent who has been a fantastic signing for Rangers.
Rangers looked comfortable from the off and started off with a penalty awarded for a foul on Defoe, arguably the only one of the decisions that Andrew Dallas got right. Tavernier buried the penalty and Rangers were on their way. They were menacing all game with Kent moving into the half space as a ten and creating space for the overlapping Barisic and Tavernier. This allowed the full backs to stretch the Buddies defence and opened up gaps for Kent, Morelos and Defoe to exploit with ease.
The Paisley men struggled to really get up the park with the access to Rangers half being denied as the Gers marked the space cleverly and used the front three along with Arfield to press aggressively and retain possession.
Tavernier was on hand to take the second kick after another foul on Defoe, this time hitting the post. Although he dispatched penalty number three and then after a foul on Candeias handed the ball to Defoe to score his first Ibrox goal. The stats were convincing enough to see a dominant display, as the home side has 25 shots, 11 of which on target and St Mirren 5 shots and 0 on target.
What Rangers under Gerrard do very well is limit the space for opponents to play with their pressing, and deny access to their midfielders. Ross McCrorie held the 6 position well and allowed Davis and Arfield to get close to the Buddies midfield. Alfredo Morelos and Jermain Defo both occupying the St Mirren back four makes it almost impossible for them to play out, instead going long from goal kicks. It was a tough afternoon for the bottom club but without the ‘penaltygate’ incidents, Rangers were by far and away in control of this game.
The diamond midfield is something we can expect to see Gerrard's men persist with as it worked well, although he will find it tough to then accommodate a fit Eros Grezda, Daniel Candeias and possibly Kyle Lafferty.
Celtic get there in the end
With Rangers win twenty four hours earlier Celtic knew they had to win to sustain their six point gap. The champions are yet to concede a goal to St Johnstone this season, winning 6-0 and 1-0 in Perth earlier in the season, and a 2-0 win just last Wednesday in Glasgow. Tommy Wright clearly had designs on changing that though with his attack minded line up, giving Tony Watt, Matty Kennedy and Danny Swanson the front three berths. The energetic Ross Callachan was the furthest advanced midfielder, often pressing high from the 8 position. Celtic resisted temptation to start new boy Jeremy Toljan at right back with Lustig keeping his place, Olly Burke continued to occupy the 9 position with James Forrest and Scott Sinclair down the sides.
Celtic probed and probed but couldn't unlock the door to a packed Saints defence, they often circulated the ball with deep build up play, which was often started by Kris Ajer and Scott Brown. Playing the ball between Brown, Ajer and Simunovic was a ploy to draw Saints players forward to press and open up gaps but the resolute St Johnstone shape was very disciplined. This meant Celtic often had to go wide to Izzaguire who tried to stretch the back line, with Scott Sinclair occupying the inside left channel.
This was clearly a game of attack v defence when the stats on thirty minutes read 75% to 25% possession in Celtics favour. St Johnstone did however have the odd foray forward on the counter attack, although their narrow attacking players were often crowded out by the Hoops.
Celtic eventually had to introduce Odsonne Edouard who looked livelier and gave them the option of a longer ball into the offensive phase. The real game changer however, was Timothy Weah. Weah moved from right to left allowing the deep lying Scott Brown to find him with a ball over the top, setting up James Forrest for the opening goal. His run and pass to find Callum McGregor for the second goal was again impressive, following his pass and finishing the return ball from McGregor.
It is easy to see why St Johnstone have had so many clean sheets this season, their compact defensive block and willingness to concede possession is a hallmark of their defensive approach and makes it difficult to break down.
Celtic have struggled so often to break down low blocks but the options they have now with Timothy Weah, Edouard and Burke, have given teams another problem with their pace and offering Celtic other options in how they attack.
Big wins for Hearts and Aberdeen
Hearts went to Rugby Park on Friday night with a fit again John Souttar and hope of repeating their win there earlier in the season. A massive win again for the Jambos was down to their 3-4-3 formation they employed.
The back three of Souttar, Berra and Shaughnessy dealt with Kilmarnock's front line relatively easily. Michael Smith and Jake Mulraney allowed Hearts to play wide and open up gaps for Naismith and Sean Clare in the half spaces.
Kilmarnock struggled to deal with Hearts shape all game, and clearly missed the presence of Eamonn Brophy up front. This is a defeat they will need to recover from quickly if they are to maintain their fantastic season to date, the arrivals of Youssouf Mulumbu, Alex Bruce, Conor McAleny and Liam Millar are sure to give Steve Clarke renewed hope for the season.
Aberdeen went to manager less Hibernian on Saturday hoping to continue the pressure on the top teams, and they done so in commanding fashion. Falling behind to an early Oli Shaw goal, The Dons never looked back equalising through Andrew Considine and then a quickfire Gary Mackay-Steven goal gave them the lead.
Hibs look to be slipping back into their old ways of uncertainty and turmoil on the park after the departure of Neil Lennon. A fantastic job for anyone who gets it given the squad available to the new manager. A midfield with creative players like Ryan Gauld, Stevie Mallan and Gael Bigirimana should be a temptation to any manager. Scott Allan will also join in the summer, another creative 10 who can transition quickly.
Names such as Mark Warburton and Gary Rowett have been linked with the post, but can the Easter Road faithful really see any of them happening. I think this is a huge appointment for the Club, and also a huge opportunity for whoever gets it.