Ex-Ibrox star names two Rangers players transformed since Gerrard quit
Alan Hutton has claimed Giovanni van Bronckhorst is getting more out of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent than Steven Gerrard did at Rangers.
The former Gers defender and Rangers TV pundit, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, hailed the Dutch manager’s tactical decision to allow players to shake things up and not necessarily focus on keeping the ball.
Rangers had less possession (47 per cent) in the 2-0 win over Hearts on Sunday (12 December), while they dominated the ball (70 per cent) in Thursday’s victory at home to St Johnstone.
Kent and Morelos netted the goals that sealed the win over the Saints.
The duo were two of Gerrard’s star performers during his spell at Ibrox.
However, Hutton insisted the ability for Rangers to “mix it up” in attack was getting even more out of the two forwards.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “The difference I can see from Gerrard’s tenure is they don’t mind going forward really quickly.
“Rangers are going from back to front awful quickly and making good opportunities. You can see that from the second goal against Hearts.
“Things like Ryan Kent being able to play as a winger. I think that’s where you’ll see the best of Morelos, getting opportunities and scoring goals.
“I think that’s probably one of the subtle differences that we’re seeing. Rangers before were very possession-based, everything was through the middle, wingers were tucked inside.
“It was trying to be very pretty. Make the nice goals, cutbacks for tap-ins and things. This can be amazing and gives the opposition something different to think about.
They’re not holding onto the ball, they’re willing to play that one long pass. I actually like seeing it, I like it when you mix it up.
“It’s good to play pretty football but to know you can do something different, it keeps your opponents guessing.”
Morelos has now scored in each of his last three Premiership appearances.
He has five goals in six games since Van Bronckhorst’s arrival.
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