Why goalscoring woes remain a concern for Rangers

Despite returning to winning ways in the league last weekend, goalscoring remains a concern for Rangers.

Philippe Clement’s men went into the international break with three points, but the nature of their laboured 1-0 victory over Hearts at Ibrox has become the theme of their unconvincing season.

One reason for that is quite simple – they have not scored enough.

The fact St Mirren, Dundee and Dundee United all have more than Rangers’ league tally of 16 goals paints a bleak picture.

Granted, those three clubs have played more games than Clement’s side, but both Dundee teams still boast a better goals-per-game ratio.

Meanwhile, leaders Celtic have scored almost double their city rivals’ amount and Aberdeen are eight ahead.

This comes even with Rangers boasting the second highest expected goals (xG) tally – 20 – in the league, which they are underperforming by four.

In addition to that, only three Premiership teams have a worse shot conversion rate (9.14%) despite the Ibrox side creating the second most big chances (35) in the division.

Cyriel Dessers, who has 10 goals this term across all competitions, often faces intense scrutiny for those missed opportunities.

The striker scored the winning goal on Sunday and Rangers’ Europa League equaliser at Olympiakos last Thursday, but he also passed up several chances in both games.

Following the win over Hearts, Clement defended the forward by saying “a striker who scores every game for Rangers will not stay very long”.

But the harsh reality is the Belgian still needs more from his first-choice striker, whoever it is, as well as the rest of his team if they are to stand any chance of mounting a title challenge.