Sky Sports reveal astonishing new Rangers stat | OneFootball

Rangers’ dominance in their first outing under Russell Martin as revealed by Sky Sports was impossible to ignore, and while the visitors going down to ten men in the 58th minute undoubtedly influenced the game, it doesn’t tell the full story. The sheer control Rangers exerted throughout the 90 minutes was unprecedented compared to last season’s performances. They finished the match with 75 percent possession — a figure they only managed to hit four times in over 50 competitive games last season. That in itself speaks volumes about the shift in approach under the current setup.

To put that into further perspective, in their entire Europa League campaign last year, spanning 12 matches against some of Europe’s toughest opposition, Rangers averaged just 41 percent possession. They were comfortable sitting deeper, allowing the opponent more of the ball, and hitting on the counter when the opportunities arose. This time, however, the narrative was completely different. The emphasis was clearly on controlling the tempo, dictating the game from start to finish, and using the ball to probe and create rather than simply react.

The passing numbers back that up emphatically. Rangers attempted a staggering 708 passes and completed 655 of them, working out to an impressive 92 percent accuracy. That’s not just a slight improvement — it’s a massive leap compared to last season’s norms. For context, their average over the course of the previous campaign hovered around 435 passes attempted and 360 completed. This level of ball retention and precision has rarely been seen from the side in recent years and highlights a clear tactical evolution.

What’s most striking is how deliberate it all seemed. This wasn’t sterile possession for the sake of it; there was a clear intent to build from the back, move through the thirds, and patiently create openings. Every pass seemed part of a wider plan, aimed at stretching the opposition and forcing errors. Even before the sending-off, Rangers were firmly in control, suffocating their opponents with relentless ball movement and positioning.

All signs point toward a new identity forming — one where Rangers look to dominate games through the ball rather than without it. If this performance is anything to go by, fans can expect to see far more of this possession-based approach as the season unfolds.