Rangers are a big club with a very passionate support but a flair player like Moore just isn't made for their log throwing type of football. He would have been much better off playing for an attack minded team in the Championship.
Rangers under Martin aren’t a long throw, long ball type of outfit, they’re a slow, methodical, look to move the opposition about and pick and poke for openings crew. I’ve noted numerous occasions where they’ve had the opportunity to break only to intentionally slow things down and recycle the ball.
The issue with that in Scottish football is that you’re playing right into team’s hands, who when given the opportunity to get 10 men behind the ball will take it with both hands and cling on for dear life. It also allows them to press more aggressively from goal kicks and restarts to disrupt Rangers build up and win the ball high, because the threat of quick counters against them is diminished.
I just don’t see it working for Martin like it did at Southampton in the Championship, which is a more even playing field against opposition whose first thought isn’t always to stifle. Ange’s football at Celtic was much different with a breakneck tempo and fast wingers creating multiple chances. They overpowered teams, whereas Rangers have been the ones being bullied in their first 3 games.
A bit off topic, but I also don’t think they’ve been shopping in the right market, which has largely been Championship/League One. That’s an inflated market and pretty overrated IMO. Rothwell for example doesn’t look anywhere near the level required for a team with UCL ambitions. There are numerous other examples from recent years: Kieran Dowell, Ben Davies, Max Aarons, Tom Lawrence, Todd Cantwell . All Championship level who have looked pish.
As for Mikey, it’s going to be more of a test than people probably assumed it’d be. Because despite the poor quality of the league, he’ll not be playing against other kids. Take St. Mirren on Sunday, which is a well-drilled team of hammer throwers where about 9 out of 11 of them are at least 6’2 tall. It’s going to be sink or swim and hopefully he can show his quality (probably under a different manager and system before too long).
