Can Moore help Rangers unlock defences?

YouTube highlights reels can only tell you so much. In the case of Mikey Moore, there are certainly signs Rangers’ on-loan Tottenham winger can offer a different type of wide man for head coach Russell Martin.

Less than a month into his Ibrox reign, Martin has experienced in microcosm the ups and downs of his immediate two predecessors Barry Ferguson and Philippe Clement – some thrilling nights in Europe and persistent domestic frustrations.

Where Moore may aid Martin’s cause is his point of difference to Rangers’ other wingers Findlay Curtis, Djeidi Gassama and Oliver Antman.

Now that red tape over his transfer has been overcome by the advent of his 18th birthday this week, Moore could looks set to his Rangers debut in Saturday’s Premier Sports Cup tie with in-form League 1 side Alloa Athletic.

In the 1-1 Premiership draws with Motherwell and Dundee, Rangers struggled to get their wingers in behind defences in the manner they did in the Champions League third qualifying round tie with Viktoria Plzen. Martin has lamented poor use of the ball as a key cause for the amount of defending his side has had to do.

Moore, a right-footer who can play on either side, seems adept at carrying the ball, going beyond and eliminating defenders to create the kind of space Rangers are trying to exploit.

His sole Spurs strike so far came in Europa League action and showed he has an eye for goal – driving at Elfsborg’s defence from the left, cutting inside and giving himself a big target to aim for to the goalkeeper’s right. He also laid on two Tottenham goals last season in his 19 first-team appearances.

At international level, he has been a regular scorer for England’s age grade teams and has shouldered the responsibility of taking penalties.

Which striker Rangers’ wingers will be attempting to supply on Saturday is somewhat of a conundrum for Martin. Cyriel Dessers has started most games this season in the number nine role but went off with a serious-looking injury against Plzen as Rangers completed a 4-2 aggregate win.

Brazilian Danilo replaced the Nigeria international and set up Rangers’ goal in the Czech Republic while Hamza Igamane – scorer of 16 goals last season – is yet to feature this season amid fitness issues.

Upon his signing, Martin described Moore as “brave” and “aggressive”. Helping Rangers arrest their early-season domestic slump will require both qualities and more.