‘Play to his strengths’: Mark Hateley tells Rangers to set team up around £4m man after last night

Fri 15 April 2022 8:15, UK

Glasgow Rangers icon Mark Hateley says the Ibrox outfit must always strive to play to Kemar Roofe’s strengths.

Hateley was speaking on as the Gers were on their way to beating Braga in the Europa League.

Rangers took the lead in their Ibrox quarter-final second leg just two minutes in.

Borna Barisic whipped in a cross from the left which Joe Aribo flicked on for James Tavernier to slide home.

Rangers then went on to double their lead from the penalty spot just before the break.

Vitor Tormena was sent off for the foul on Roofe which led to the spot kick, Tavernier making no mistake.

However, Rangers were wasteful in the second half and Braga took full advantage.

David Carmo headed home from a corner late on to level the tie and take the match to extra time.

Roofe had one goal ruled out by VAR, another for offside, while he also smashed the underside of the bar

But then, the £4m man finally got the goal he and Rangers deserved, tapping in Aribo’s ball across the face of goal.

“This is what Rangers had to get back to doing,” Hateley said just after the goal.

“Being patient, waiting for runners, exploiting Braga’s defensive weaknesses. And you get your goalscorer right there from six yards out.”

Roofe’s night ended on 105 minutes as Giovanni van Bronckhorst subbed him off.

“It’s clear to see where Kemar Roofe gets his ammunition: the wide areas, balls into the box,” added Hateley.

“They have to play to his strengths whenever he plays.”

Rangers will now play RB Leipzig in the Europa League semi-finals.

An all-British final could be on the cards, with West Ham facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the other semi-final tie.

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