Mid-term report: Rangers rack up victories

James Tavernier has netted into double figures. An astounding effort from a right back. Picture: Michael Gillen

Attack

As the stats suggest - with 57 goals in 19 games in all competitions so far - Rangers could hardly be functioning more efficiently as an attacking force.

It’s not just the number of goals scored, however, as the manner in which they have been achieved which has given such satisfaction to their support so far. The fluent style of play is in stark contrast to the often eye-watering fare delivered by the Ibrox outfit last season.

Defence

With just two defeats so far, at home to St Johnstone in the League Cup and against Hibs at Easter Road in the Championship, Rangers have been relatively robust at the back overall. But that loss to Tommy Wright’s men did expose a vulnerability to pacey counter-attacking.

Star player

James Tavernier. There have been several notable success stories among Rangers summer recruits but none have made more of an impact than attacking right-back Tavernier whose cavalier approach and free-kick proficiency have seen him score 10 goals so far.

Manager

Mark Warburton could hardly have made a better start to life in the Ibrox hot seat. Despite that setback at Easter Road, a five-point lead at the top of the Championship is a more than healthy return from the enterprising style of football he has implemented at Rangers.

Must do better

While there are no glaring deficiencies on the pitch for Rangers at the moment, there is a sense that Warburton has yet to perm an ideal central defensive partnership from the trio of Rob Kiernan, Danny Wilson and Dominic Ball.