Lassana Coulibaly’s Return Will Be Huge For Rangers
By Joseph Sinke
After missing some time, Lassana Coulibaly is expected to return after the international break. He should have a big impact.
Lassana Coulibaly has been out since Rangers defeat of St. Mirren. His absence has been felt by the Glasgow side and his imminent return should mark a significant improvement to Rangers midfield.
With Coulibaly out of the lineup, Rangers have at times struggled in the mid-field, especially at winning the ball back from opposing players. This was made almost painfully obvious in the 1-0 loss to rivals Celtic at Park Head this past weekend.
It would, of course, be a stretch to suggest that Coulibaly would’ve been enough of a difference maker to allow Rangers to get a win or even a tie against Celtic, but the game highlighted how important he is for Rangers.
Between their mid-field and forwards, Rangers feature a great deal of attacking power. Now boasting an impressive front three of Kyle Lafferty, Alfredo Morelos, and Ryan Kent. In the midfield Ovi Ejaria is really coming into his own, and even their defenders on either side are great attackers in Borna Barisic and James Tavernier.
Where they lack is in real defensive presence and effort before their stout middle defenders of Nikola Katic and Connor Goldson. Even without Coulibaly, Rangers have enough attacking talent to hold the ball in the midfield, but they simply cannot consistently win it back from opponents.
Fellow midfielder Ryan Jack is able to fill a similar role of being a tough-minded player with a high work-rate. The problem is that Ryan Jack is just not the same as Coulibaly athletically. Coulibaly’s particular brand of athletic violence in winning back the ball is unique to him on the roster, and getting it back should do wonders for the Rangers midfield.