Rangers 5-0 blast of Hearts gives BBC Sportscene pundit flashbacks of ‘horrible place to be’
Rangers took advantage of the Ibrox crowd to get out to a fast start in their win over Hearts, as the home support made it impossible for the visitors, according to Richard Foster.
On BBC Sportscene (24 February), the analyst described it as a “horrible place to be” as the Gers crowd ignites the team from the start, as shown in the 5-0 victory with Mohamed Diomande scoring in the second minute.
Host Steven Thompson contrasted the current set-up under Philippe Clement to the conclusion of Michael Beale’s term, and Foster emphasized the reciprocal relationship.
Thompson said at 7:49 p.m.: “They’ve got a lot of options now but I think the thing that’s really pleasing Philippe Clement is the connection between the supporters and the players, the team, the staff, because that had gone completely at the end of Michael Beale’s tenure and it’s now back bigger than ever.”
Foster said, “Yes, if you win games, the supporters will be on your side. If you put up a performance like today, the crowd will support you. But I believe it goes both ways. The spectators were enthusiastic about the game from the start, allowing the Rangers to get off to a quick start and simply feeding off of one another.
“I’ve seen Rangers start quickly at Ibrox before. It’s a miserable place to be, and it’s really difficult to hear your teammates, let alone settle down and play a solid game.”
Ibrox fans drive Rangers to defeat Hearts after Mohamed Diomande’s opening.
The relationship between the club and the fans is one of give and take, but thanks to Clement, there have been plenty of opportunities to reply recently.
The Belgian team’s unexpected victory in the title battle indicates a strong focus on the task at hand among the players.
Although the SPFL title is not yet secured, the team’s confidence is increasing after dominating the in-form third-placed side. Michael Stewart admits they may be difficult to stop.
The fact that the performance was delivered despite Todd Cantwell’s addition to an enormous injured list is even more amazing, and the fact that all three of the manager’s January additions, Diomande, Oscar Cortes, and Fabio Silva, all scored and played important roles is more proof of his tactics.
In January, there was significant focus on recruiting a striker, and Cyriel Dessers demonstrated why. However, Rangers were unstoppable against the leading choice, Lawrence Shankland, with the players on the pitch in perfect harmony with the fans.
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