SPL News: 5 Things We Learned from Rangers' 2-0 Win over Inverness Caley

Rangers recorded their second win of the new SPL season with a 2-0 win over a determined Inverness Caledonian Thistle side.

However, the game was far from comfortable for Ally McCoist's men. It was only through two fortunate penalties, converted by Nikica Jelavic and Maurice Edu, respectively, that the 'Gers secured the points.

Despite the below-par performance, there were several positives to take from the game.

Here are five things we can take from Saturday's match.

Centre-Back Dorin Goian Looks Like a Real Find

Jean-Alain Boumsong. Carlos Cuellar.

Perhaps, come next summer, Dorin Goian will be added to that list of defenders who shone at Rangers for one season before moving on to new pastures for a considerable profit.

Although the big Romanian centre-back has only played two games for the club so far, Ally McCoist's £800,000 summer signing from Palermo put in a flawless performance on Saturday.

As the game was going into the closing stages, Goian showed his commitment to the cause with two potentially goal-saving tackles in the space of 10 seconds.

The defender barely put a foot wrong the entire game and, despite his lack of English, seemed to communicate well with the rest of his defence and goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Goian is certainly one to keep an eye on. 

Rangers Look Very Comfortable in Possession...

On Saturday, Rangers passed the ball about like nobody's business.

From defence right up to attack, the ball flowed all over the park, with young Jamie Ness at the centre of most of it.

Even newcomer Ross Perry, who came on for the injured Kyle Bartley after half an hour, managed to thread through some pinpoint passes.

McCoist's men looked more than comfortable with the ball, managing to rack up 65 percent possession overall.

However... 

... but Still Lack a Cutting Edge

Despite the pleasing, well-constructed moves of the Rangers team, there was unfortunately no end product.

Rangers toiled for over an hour as they tried to walk their way through an organised Inverness defence.

Terry Butcher's side are no pushovers, but it was beginning to get ridiculous at the lack of a deft touch in the final third for the 'Gers.

It seemed, first of all, like the players were trying to walk the ball into the net. Then it looked like everyone was simply afraid to take a shot.

McCoist's men finally caught a break after the hour when Nikica Jelavic tucked away a dubious spot kick, but with both Rangers' goals coming from penalties, it's clear to see where the team is lacking.

Rangers Have Strength in Depth

Bear with me on this one.

Most fans of Scottish football will know Rangers don't have the biggest squad in the league. After years of surviving on a shoe-string budget, the number of senior players at the start of June was only 13.

However, with several new signings and youth players being promoted to the first team, Rangers look stronger. The introduction of 21-year-old Ross Perry showed the club has adequate backups on the bench.

With veterans Davie Weir and Lee McCulloch injured and full-backs Steven Whittaker and Sasa Papac out through illness, Rangers are being stretched—but not to their limits, as Saturdays' game proved. 

Rangers Now Have a Youth System to Be Proud Of

Ally McCoist's bench on Saturday looked like this: Neil Alexander, David Healy, John Fleck, Kane Hemmings, Kyle Hutton, Gregg Wylde and Ross Perry.

The last five names on the bench are all products of Rangers much-maligned multi-million pound training facility, Murray Park.

Meanwhile on the field, goalkeeper Allan McGregor and midfielder Jamie Ness played their part in the 2-0 victory. Both of these players have been at Rangers their entire careers.

After years of struggling to produce good quality, first-team players, it seems the youth system is finally beginning to bear fruit.

Conclusion

Although Rangers' victory over the Highland side was far from entertaining, McCoist's men got the job done.

The 2-0 win was far from a vintage performance, and they will have to be a lot sharper against NK Maribor on Thursday, but there were several positives to take from the game.

McCoist will hope to build on these points for the rest of the season.