Rangers kicked off their Europa League campaign with a trip to familiar foes Malmo with Philippe Clement looking to repeat the feats of last season.
The manager had to cope without Oscar Cortes, Ridvan Yilmaz, Danilo, Rabbi Matondo and Jefte in his squad but will have the latter back for the visit of Hibernian to Ibrox at the weekend.
Here are your Rangers player ratings for the game against Malmo as the Light Blues come out on top.
Rangers player ratings vs Malmo
Philippe Clement picked a strong starting XI and this is how they rated:
Jack Butland – 7
Quiet first half with Malmo only having one attempt but commanded his box well and restricted longer passes to help build out from the back.
James Tavernier – 4
Still not up to full speed defensively and got caught out a couple of times over his head when he could have dealt with the ball, got done 1v1 once in the first half but well covered by Mohamed Diomande.
The captain’s form is a real cause for concern with every Malmo attack coming down his side creating problems from not being proactive.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo – 8
If this is how good he is at left back, the skipper should be worried about his place in the starting XI.
Stong in duels, positive in possession, physical and energetic.
Should have scored on his first start to make it 3-0 though.
Robin Propper – 8
Had one outstanding first time pass to play in Nedim Bajrami and was more confident in possession than we have seen so far since joining.
Growing in stature alongside John Souttar and was solid in engaging with the Malmo attacking threat.
John Souttar – 8
Seems much more comfortable on the right and with Propper as his partner than he has at any point in his Rangers career – solid first half.
Second half reiterated the claim that Souttar is Scotland’s best centre-half – immense.
Connor Barron – 8
Nipped about the midfield like a Jack Russell chasing a ball, but in a good way.
Didn’t give any Malmo midfielders time on the ball and forced them to go wide.
Work rate is off the scale.
Mohamed Diomande – 9
His first half performance was as good as Diomande has played for Rangers.
Unlucky to see a deflected shot slip under his foot in a great position but dovetailed perfectly with Barron.
Second half, Diomande covered every blade of grass and silenced any doubters of his ability to play at this level.
Tom Lawrence – 6
Added an extra body in midfield and linked play from the back to front as well as on the counter attack.
Loose in possession but a solid display.
Nedim Bajrami – 8
Great follow up to Cyriel Dessers’ shot to open the scoring and could easily have added a second.
Chose the right option almost every time he had possession.
Looks a great addition to the Rangers forward line.
Cyriel Dessers – 8
Bodied Malmo’s defenders, linked play with the midfield and was involved with a lot of Rangers best work in the final third.
Starting to add big performances to his goals and his assists.
Could’ve done with Danilo or Hamza Igamane on the bench as he ran out of steam.
Vaclav Cerny – 7
Was one of Rangers biggest threats in the first half but couldn’t take full advantage of the opportunities he had.
Should have put Rangers 2-0 up when he was sent clean through on goal.
Good shift from the Czech if lacking with his final ball.
Substitutes
Nicolas Raskin – 6
Brought on for Lawrence to add fresh legs and to help shore up the midfield.
Ross McCausland – 8
Almost made an immediate impact with a back post header but made amends with a stunning goal to calm nerves.
Excellent play to win the original free-kick and then showed incredible desire to get his shot away.
Left foot finish was controlled leaving the keeper no chance as it hit off the inside of the post and went in.
Dujon Sterling – 6
Came on as a late substitute for Bajrami to help protect Tavernier.
