Union Berlin 4-4 Rangers: Defensive questions, Dessers and style of play answers

Union Berlin 4-4 Rangers: Defensive questions, Dessers and style of play answers

Rangers rounded off their pre-season schedule with a 4-4 draw against Union Berlin. Philippe Clement’s side will now gear up for their first Premiership fixture of the new campaign ahead of their trip to face Hearts next Saturday.

 

A frantic first half ended with six goals shared as Tom Lawrence netted twice after Cyriel Dessers had pulled Rangers level. Janik Haberer scored two and Jordan Pefok netted from the spot. Dessers got his second with 20 minutes remaining as Rangers came from behind once again after David Preu had given Union the lead.

 

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Dodgy defensive displays spell disaster

The imminent departure of Connor Goldson will free up wages and a centre-back slot. The stopper that fills that berth must be an improvement improvement on what Goldson is leaving behind.

 

This back four will not be the foundations for a title challenge, never mind a title win. The standard of player is clearly a concern, but so is the ease at which Clement’s side are being scythed through at present. After the goalless draw with Standard Liege, ten goals have now been shipped in just four matches.

 

A Benedict Hollerback cross from the left found Haberer on the right as Union broke the deadlock after just five minutes. Rangers were badly exposed and paid the price on that occasion and were fortunate not to concede again before Pefok slotted home from the spot. The penalty award was soft, but Rangers were again porous and James Tavernier looked extremely sluggish as he was beaten for pace and then left on the ground by Yorbe Vertessen.

Ivan Prtajin should have scored with a free header before the hour mark. Within seconds, Preu had given Union the lead once again as a deflected strike beat Jack Butland.

 

Signs of encouragement from middle to front

Rangers should have opened the scoring inside the first minute when Cortes picked out Scott Wright at the back post. Rather than finding the net with his header, he attempted to nod it back across target.

 

It was the man that assisted Wright in midweek that found the route to goal. A lovely pass from Mohamed Diomande split the Berlin defence. Dessers showed composure to round keeper Carl Klaus and he finished well from a tight angle in the right channel.