Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha believes that his side’s inability at winning the second ball is repeatedly costing his side following the win over Hearts.
The Gers managed to record a 2-1 home victory and consolidate third in the league table, but certainly made it difficult for themselves.
They were ahead through Joe Garner’s early headed goal and would have been expected to dominate following Pricne Buaben red card for Hearts in the first-half.
However, it took Barrie McKay’s winning goal to secure the points in a cagey victory and they were made to fight against 10-man Hearts.
Caixinha has issued his frustration at his team’s second-half performance and claims they kept losing the second ball.
“We started losing duels, started losing the challenges – and that is something the team is struggling with – second balls,” Caixinha said, as quoted by the club’s official website. “It’s killing us all the time and it allowed Hearts to be in the game more, to be closer to our goal and to have more corners and crosses.”
Rangers have now won their last two games by 2-1 scorelines and have looked vulnerable as the season draws to a close.
They have managed to recover from two crushing defeats to Old Firm rivals Celtic, but Caixinha will look to drastically improve his squad in the summer.
The Ibrox outfit have had a mixed return to the top flight this year and departed with manager Mark Warburton this season.
They will hope to provide champions Celtic with some greater competition next, while second-placed Aberdeen will also be in their sights.