Rangers returned to Europa League duty aginst Romanian FCSB as Philippe Clement looked to bounce back from domestic disappointment.
The manager made an addition to his squad in Zak Lovelace after he impressed for the B team with an Ibrox crowd in desperate need of something to get excited about.
Here are your Rangers player ratings for the visit of FCSB as the Light Blues turned on the style.
Rangers player ratings vs FCSB
Philippe Clement wanted his side to create more chances, be more clinical and show more desire, that’s exactly what they did and this is how they rated:
Jack Butland – 6
What was he thinking? With fans still to take their seats, Butland’s decision not to put his foot through the ball was very generously awarded as a free-kick when it should have been a goal to FCSB.
Settled down and produced a fine stop shortly before half-time and was solid dealing with set-pieces throughout.
A busier second half saw Butland bail out Robin Propper for some poor defending.
James Tavernier – 7
Lovely ball to play Vaclav Cerny in behind to set up Rangers first goal but misplaced a lot of passes in his own half self-inflicted creating pressure.
As good as he’s been defensively for some time and, for once, was the strongest part of his game.
Jefte – 9
Demonstrated he can pass as well as dribble by playing Nedim Bajrami in behind with an inch perfect pass, only the defender’s arm stopping the ball from finding a teammate but it wasn’t a penalty under current laws.
Won his duels and was sharp and aggressive pressuring his opposite number.
What an engine the 20-year old Brazilian has on him.
Leon Balogun – 7
Has plenty of experience for Rangers at this level but still made a couple of rash challenges in the first half that were nearly punished.
Stuck to his task though and protected Butland well alongside his centre-half partner before limping off.
John Souttar – 8
Pressed higher out of defensive line and looked to carry the ball out from the back or play shorter passes.
Solid in the air and in one-v-one battles.
Nicolas Raskin – 9
A man possessed. Looked keen to make an impression, typified by a well-struck effort that he was then first to after it went out for a throw.
Snapped into tackles and looked to move the ball quickly, immense.
Has to start from here on.
Connor Barron – 8
Seemed to thrive from having Raskin next to him, working as a pair to pressure FCSB’s playmakers.
Never stopped running and benefitted from being able to chase the ball down in higher areas of the park, loses a mark for having an off night with his passing.
Built a platform for the team to attack alongside Raskin.
Nedim Bajrami – 8
Building a solid partnership with Jefte on the left. Knows when to come short and when to make the run in behind.
Not directly involved in any of the goals but seemed to make something happen every time he had the ball and never makes the wrong decision.
Tom Lawrence – 8
Backed up his own words about Rangers needing to put in a performance by scoring the opening goal and by driving the attack.
Came close to adding to his goal in the first half with a couple of efforts that were well blocked. Silencing a few critics in the process.
Cyriel Dessers – 2
A major problem in the team just now. The attack is functioning in spite of him, not because he is playing any useful part.
Couldn’t control the ball or hold it up and was miles off the pace and intensity of his teammates.
Vaclav Cerny – 10
Stunning first half display from the Czech winger showing both his creativity and finishing skills to good effect.
His first touch, run and pass for Tom Lawrence was inch perfect for the opener before beautifully curling the second with his weaker foot.
Cerny’s second and Rangers third was something special too.
This is the Cerny fans want to see.
Substitutes
Mohamed Diomande – 6
Neat and tidy but doesn’t seem to be at his most confident or in the best of form for whatever reason.
Hamza Igamane – 8
Made better runs, worked harder and showed more composure than the man he replaced in Cyriel Dessers.
Rewarded with his first goal for Rangers in what was a welcome display of composed finishing, nearly scored a second.
Zak Lovelace – 6
Saw the headlines when he was presented with a chance to shoot from the edge of the box but didn’t catch it cleanly.
Carried the ball confidently when given space to run, a promising return to the first team.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo – 6
One thing Kasanwirjo seems to have in spades is an intensity and desire to his defending.
Always looked keen to get involved and has the attitude needed to be a success at Rangers.
Robin Propper – 3
Turned inside out and was relieved to see Butland save his blushes before giving the ball away in a dangerous area only to be bailed out by Barron taking one for the team on the edge of the box.
Not a good cameo from the experienced Dutchman.
