Is Spurs' Moore the answer to Rangers' open-play issues?

Consistency is the next step for Rangers winger Mikey Moore after a standout performance against Kilmarnock, says head coach Danny Rohl.

MIkey Moore dribbling against Kilmarnock
Mikey Moore created more chances and attempted more dribbles than any other player in Rangers' 5-1 win over Kilmarnock [SNS]

"He's been the best player on the pitch."

On the night Andreas Skov Olsen netted his first Rangers goal, scoring in a win that took the Ibrox side to within three points of the Scottish Premiership summit, it was the winger on the opposite flank who staked his claim to become a guaranteed starter in Danny Rohl's side.

In the aftermath of Sunday's goalless draw at Hibernian, Rangers' lack of creativity from open play came into focus again.

Teenage Mikey Moore, signed on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, was the only bright spark in Rohl's attack during a blunt display in Leith.

It was a cameo that had sections of the Rangers support questioning why the 18-year-old had not started, but he was presented that opportunity against Kilmarnock three days later.

Within three minutes, the teenager had perfectly threaded a pass through for Djeidi Gassama to win a spot-kick, resulting in an early red card for the visitors and a goal from captain James Tavernier.

Terrorising the Kilmarnock defence throughout, the Spurs youngster then registered a second-half assist for Olsen before capping off a sublime performance with a goal that proved to be the final kick of a thumping 5-1 win.

"It's what he deserves," former Rangers striker Steven Naismith said after Moore's left-foot strike hit the far corner.

'A masterclass in movement'

A goal, an assist and five chances created.

That alone tells the story of a busy night for Moore, whose midweek appearance at Ibrox was just his 13th league start of the season.

The forward is building a promising relationship on the Rangers left with full-back Jayden Meghoma, while Rohl can also be encouraged with how he combined with winter signings Skov Olsen and Tuur Rommens during their exciting cameos.

However, former Rangers forward Rory Loy was particularly impressed with the youngster's movement.

Driving to the byeline, jinking in off the left, and also finding himself space in central areas, Loy described Moore's movement as "nothing short of sensational".

Speaking on BBC Sportsound, he added: "Two or three passes before he gets the ball, defenders don't know where he is.

"It's been a masterclass in how to receive the ball in tight areas. He can go both ways, which keeps defenders guessing."

Fellow BBC Scotland pundit Naismith added: "He's so direct, he's confident, he's going at [the Kilmarnock defence] and he's enjoying himself out there."

Mikey Moore graphic
[BBC]

'Consistency the next step for Moore'

Moore's team-mates created just seven chances between them at Hibs on Sunday.

He registered five alone on Wednesday, while his seven dribbles were also higher than any other player.

Game state has to come into that, of course. At the weekend, Rangers were playing against 11 men, away to a top-six side. Struggling Kilmarnock were a man and a goal down after a few minutes on Wednesday.

A goal-scoring performance from the England youth international in the Old Firm derby win at Celtic last month looked set to ignite his Ibrox career, but seven games without a goal contribution followed.

Despite that, the Ibrox side just appear a livelier and more unpredictable proposition with Moore in the line-up.

A mid-season injury and squad rotation has meant Moore has failed to feature in 12 of Rangers' 25 league matches, but Rohl is now demanding consistency as his side attempt to reel Hearts in.

"We know Mikey, that should be the level for him again and again," the Rangers head coach told BBC Scotland.

"This is the next step for him, consistency. But I will not speak about individual performances, it's about the team."

Mikey Moore touch map against Kilmarnock
Moore's touch map against Kilmarnock highlights his threat both from the left and central areas [BBC]

Category: General Sports