Rangers manager Derek McInnes faces familiar concerns after his team’s unconvincing performance at Tynecastle resulted in a draw, despite an equalizer in the dying moments.
The team’s ability to maintain focus and consistent high performance remains a question, particularly following a strong showing the previous weekend. The draw, aided by Celtic’s own slip-up, does little to mask the underlying issues that have plagued the team.
Tactical decisions regarding the forward line also drew scrutiny. The alteration of the attacking quartet from the previous match, which saw success against St Johnstone, did not yield the desired results. Djeidi Gassama, in particular, struggled in his role on the left wing, with his substitution eight minutes into the second half noted as a necessary change.
The midfield struggled to exert control throughout the match. Dan Neil was cited for conceding a careless free-kick that led to a goal, a recurring problem of giving away unnecessary fouls in dangerous areas. Nico Raskin also faced criticism for his performance in midfield, with questions raised about the club's inability to facilitate a summer transfer for the player. His continued presence at Ibrox is viewed as a potential impediment to the team's long-term strategy.
Emmanuel Fernandez was another player whose performance was highlighted as problematic. His late first-half booking for a foul on Josh McPake and earlier indiscretions, coupled with his contributions to Hearts' goals, were noted. Even Dujon Sterling was identified as having a particularly poor outing.
The stark contrast between this performance and Rangers’ prior successes against Celtic raises questions about the squad's consistency. While acknowledging that a complete squad overhaul cannot occur in a single transfer window, the article suggests that continuing with players involved in past failures risks perpetuating those outcomes.