BY IAIN COLLIN – Capital City Press
Peter Houston has warned his Falkirk side they will have to watch Rangers’ full-backs as much as their strikers after watching James Tavernier match Martyn Waghorn goal for goal.
Tavernier has netted an incredible eight times in 13 appearances from right-back since moving north from Wigan Athletic in the summer.
And although his former Latics team-mate Waghorn has bagged 14 goals up front, six of those have come from penalties.
Houston reckons the pair’s goal-scoring record proves Mark Warburton’s commitment to attack, with their record of 28 goals in just eight league games making them extremely troublesome opponents at Ibrox on Saturday.
The Bairns boss said: “The defence will be tested. Myself and (assistant) James McDonaugh took in Rangers’ 4-0 win against Morton at Cappielow and they are on a hot streak of form just now.
“They are a good side. Mark Warburton takes risks, they commit men forward and their full-backs are as big a threat as their centre-forwards.
“Tarvernier has scored eight goals and Waghorn has scored 14, but six of those are from penalty kicks.
“So, when your right-back’s on a par with your striker it shows you they get people into the right areas and into the box, and they certainly know the road to goal.”
However, Falkirk will head west having restored some of their battered pride in Friday night’s goalless draw with Queen of the South following their 7-0 thrashing from Ross County in the League Cup last Tuesday.
And, with an unbeaten league record to give them confidence, Houston is also hopeful Rangers’ sole defeat – against Premiership side St Johnstone in the cup – may have highlighted some flaws in their make-up.
He added: “If we’re wanting any glimmer of hope, it’s the fact we saw St Johnstone do well against them and I’ve seen a couple of goals against them as well.
“We have to make sure we are big, strong, match runners and do the things we need to do defensively.
“But we have also got, in my opinion, players who can hurt them on the counter-attack.”
@IainCollin
