[ad_pod ]

Ten-man Rangers secured a 2-1 win away at Hearts in their latest Scottish Premiership fixture on Sunday to top the standings, but it was far from a perfect performance.

Connor Goldson and Alfredo Morelos scored for the visitors after Gareth McAuley’s own goal had given the out-of-form hosts the lead, and they managed to hang on despite Scott Arfield’s 72nd-minute red card.

Despite taking the three points in Edinburgh, manager Steven Gerrard should be thinking about a complete midfield re-think when his team play host to Aberdeen at Ibrox on Wednesday night.

On the chalkboard

Gerrard has usually preferred to use a 4-3-3 system in the Scottish top flight this term, which can easily be adapted to either be used in a defensive way or offensive way with all three midfielders sitting deep, two deep-lying and one more attacking, or one defensive and two attacking.

The 38-year-old opted for a more conservative set-up during the triumph against Hearts, with Lassana Coulibaly joined by Ovie Ejaria and Scott Arfield in the centre of the park.

While the former improved after the break he was sloppy in the opening 45 minutes – as was the 6ft tall Ejaria – and of course Arfield received his marching orders to leave his manager with a big conundrum ahead of Aberdeen’s visit.

What should he do?

Well, the Liverpool legend should have a complete midfield re-think, and he already knows that he will be without the suspended Arfield.

Gerrard should bring both Ryan Jack – who impressed when he came on against the Dons – and Ross McCrorie into the starting XI in place of Ejaria and Coulibaly, with Eros Grezda replacing Arfield to allow to start the 18-year-old Glenn Middleton out wide.

That would not only give him the defensive base needed to try and keep a clean sheet, but also the big attacking threat to break down an Aberdeen side that are likely to come to Ibrox for a point.

Paul Pogba and Man Utd seem to be after Harry Redknapp’s ‘King of the Jungle’ crown! Check out the video below…