Baningime hails 'great' Rangers team and names what Hearts need to do to win
15/02/2025 21:30
Rangers face a resurgent Hearts team when they take the short trip along the M8 to Tynecastle and the capital thanks to Neil Critchley turning things around.
Philippe Clement isn’t quite as popular a figure amongst the Ibrox faithful with the manager digging his heels in over speculation that he could be sacked.
If Rangers are to beat Hearts, in what will be a tough encounter, the midfield battle will have to be won with Beni Baningime one of the league’s on-form players standing in the way.
Beni Baningime on what Hearts must do to beat Rangers
Free of injury, the 26-year old has been a key component of the Jambo’s revival bringing energy and aggression, as well as quality in possession.
Speaking ahead of the Sunday lunchtime clash, Baningime has explained that it takes more than just commitment to beat Rangers:
"Anyone can run around. You can get people who can run more than us. But in the games against Rangers or Celtic, you need to put your foot on the ball. You need to make sure you get your team better controlled because Rangers specifically, as we’re talking about, are a great team.
"They’re going to control the game in spells. I think also you need to step up and try and implement your game and try and get the team going. That gives the best chances for the Eltons [Kabangu] and the Shanks [Lawrence Shankland] to get their chances."
How does Baningime compare to Nicolas Raskin?
Baningime is very similar to Nicolas Raskin in terms of how he goes about his business.
If he was a few years younger and without the injury problems, he would be exactly the type of domestic player that Nils Koppen should be keeping an eye on.
Baningime, as shown by the Data MB visual, doesn’t have the same range of passing as the Rangers No.43, but what he does have, is the ability to win the ball back and then look to put his team on the front foot.
Rangers will have to be on their toes to protect against the counter-attack given the Hearts midfielder’s duel success and defensive actions dominance.
