RANGERS’ secret weapon in the 2026 title race isn’t just their free-flowing football—it’s the meticulous, “unglamorous” work being done on the training pitch by set-piece coach Scott Fry.
Since arriving from Lincoln City, Fry has overseen a significant upturn in Rangers’ productivity from dead-ball situations. Speaking to RangersTV for the first time, the 47-year-old opened up about his “autonomy” at Ibrox and why his department is providing the marginal gains necessary to secure silverware.
The Power of the Dead Ball
Rangers have become increasingly prolific from corners and free-kicks in recent months. Defenders like Emmanuel Fernandez have become major goal threats, while technical players like Thelo Aasgaard and Nico Raskin have also found the net from well-rehearsed routines.
Fry believes that while set-pieces are often overlooked, they represent the one moment in a match where a coach has total control over the players’ positioning.
“For years, people haven’t put the respect on set-pieces that they deserve,” Fry explained. “No one gets in the car as a kid excited about defending a corner. But it’s the only time the ball is still. It’s an opportunity to put people in the exact positions they need to be. If you get your processes right, you give yourself an edge others aren’t looking for.”
The results are already speaking for themselves. Earlier this month, Rangers dismantled Aberdeen using three set-piece goals across two games, a feat Fry attributes to a culture of “buy-in” from the players.
Data-Informed, Not Data-Driven
In a hectic schedule where Rangers are playing every three days across the Premiership and Europe, time on the grass is a luxury. To compensate, Fry works closely with Adam Berry in the analysis department to use high-level data to find cracks in the opposition’s armour.
“We’re informed by data but not driven by data,” Fry noted. “We look at where the opposition have weaknesses and how we can expose them. Because the schedule is far from normal, I have to find different ways to practice—whether that’s unit meetings, individual ‘walk and talks,’ or working with three or four players on mid-third throw-ins.”
Settling into the Ibrox ‘Pressure Cooker’
Despite the “thick and fast” nature of the fixture list, Fry has settled quickly in Glasgow, aided by his family moving up to join him. He credits the management team for giving him the freedom to challenge the status quo and push for constant evolution.
“The management team has given me a lot of autonomy to express what we’d like to put into place. It’s been a back-and-forth challenge, but they have been really welcoming. I’m happy with how we’ve started, but this sport has a way of kicking you up the bum if you rest on your laurels. We have to keep evolving.”
While the tactical tweaks on the training ground continue to yield results, fans can read more about the coach’s philosophy on the official club website, where Scott Fry discusses making set-pieces count at Rangers and the importance of finding different ways to engage the squad.
Gers fans—have you noticed the difference in our corner routines lately? Is Scott Fry the most important ‘signing’ of the season so far? Let us know in the comments!
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
