Rangers took on Aris Limassol in the Europa League tonight knowing that a win would avoid having to get a result against Real Betis in Spain next week.
Philippe Clement’s more positive approach to play has benefitted his squad and seen the club continue their impressive record in the competition at Ibrox and, despite the sub-par performance, they still sit second in the group.
The manager now has to better Sparta Prague’s result or win against Real Betis to progress in the Europa League after Rangers struggled to a draw over Aris Limassol, with these being the key moments from the game.
Rangers v Aris Limassol key events
Referee Rohit Sagi from Norway got us underway on a chilly night in Glasgow with the temperature raised by the atmosphere provided by the Ibrox crowd.
1st minute
Abdallah Sima gets behind the Aris Limassol defence in Rangers first attack and wins a corner, however, the Sengal international was offside with a belated flag.
5th minute
Great play from Borna Barisic on the left saw Sam Lammers with a good chance, who swung and missed, Jose Cifuentes had a chance from the rebound but was crowded out before John Lundstram forced a save with a well struck long range effort.
11th minute
Limassol’s first attack sees Jack Butland forced into a good save, Rangers had plenty of bodies back but not enough pressure on the ball.
27th minute
Lundstram again looked dangerous as he played a neat one two with Todd Cantwell but his shot shaved the post.
28th minute
Limassol open the scoring, a simple long ball between the two centre-halves, not dealt with and Shavy Babika rounds Butland. Sloppy.
36th minute
Todd Cantwell is subbed for Ross McCausland – and he wasn’t injured either, a surprise that Lammers wasn’t the one who was removed given how ineffective he had been, Cantwell, at least, was showing the desire to make something happen.
49th minute
Goal Rangers – Brilliant from Ross McCausland, had a lot to do but was clinical with the finish into the far corner leaving the keeper with no chance.
Rangers 1 – 1 Aris Limassol
60th minute
Danilo should do better as Tom Lawrence plays him in, takes a touch instead of shooting first time and the chance is lost.
65th minute
McCausland again, should score but when he cuts inside could easily have gone done for a penalty.
Rangers huffed and puffed but the Aris Limassol keeper was barely troubled with the lack of cutting edge a real concern.
The game became fragmented and short of any quality as Rangers lost control and became rushed with zero composure in the final third.
It was a poor performance from Rangers against Aris Limassol, the Cypriot league leaders are something of an enigma in that they don’t have a particularly traditional style of play and were rewarded for this in the first meeting between the two sides and again last night.
An off night for almost everyone in a blue shirt and the manager, if Rangers are to progress in the Europa League, they will need to be considerably better against Real Betis.
