Rangers’ Early Season Performance: A Statistical Overview

The nine-point deficit currently separating Rangers from Premiership leaders Celtic and Aberdeen before November is a significant concern for the club’s supporters. This situation prompts an examination of the underlying statistics that may explain Philippe Clement’s team’s struggles this season. While the team’s offensive output has been a significant issue, their defensive performance has been comparatively strong. Rangers have conceded only eight goals, marking the second-best defensive record in the league, with goalkeeper Jack Butland achieving five clean sheets. However, the attacking statistics paint a stark picture of inefficiency. Rangers have managed just one goal from set-pieces, which is the lowest in the league. Furthermore, only one goal has originated from a cross, and the team has yet to score a single header, a feat accomplished by every other team in the division. The team’s resilience has also been questioned, as Rangers are the sole Premiership side that has failed to secure any points after falling behind in a match. This indicates an inability to recover from losing positions. Their away form has notably declined compared to recent seasons. In Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat to Aberdeen, Rangers scored only their second away goal of the current campaign. Across five away fixtures this term, Rangers have recorded just one victory and three losses, placing their away record as the eighth best in the division. Extending to the end of last season, the team has secured two away wins in 10 matches and one in seven. Clement’s team selection strategy also warrants attention. The Belgian manager has implemented 29 changes to his starting line-up, a number surpassed only by Hearts. Consequently, he has utilized 26 different players, the highest number in the league. While the demands of frequent European fixtures are a contributing factor, this high rotation suggests that Clement may still be searching for his optimal starting XI.