Using the Touchline: A Deep Dive Into Rangers's Pressing Scheme

After a decade of mediocrity that saw them languish in the shadows whilst their eternal rivals established an unprecedented hegemony in Scottish football, things are looking up for Rangers. Steven Gerrard's side currently sit 13 points above Celtic (who have two games in hand), and after finishing atop a group of Benfica, Standard Liège and Lech Poznan, they will face off against Royal Antwerp in the Europa League Round of 32.

Rangers typically set up in a 4-3-3 both in possession and off the ball, with Ianis Hagi and Ryan Kent partnering Alfredo Morelos in attack. This narrow 4-3-3 shape helped contain attacks and provoke advantageous attacking situations, as Rangers took four victories and two draws in their Europa group, scoring 13 goals and conceding just 7.

As seen by the average positions in the Europa League group stage, Rangers's front three typically shift inwards in order to minimise space in between the lines and make it difficult for the opponent to establish destabilising connections. The two lines of three remain horizontally compact so as to prevent the opponent from building centrally, thus directing play out wide.