Former Rangers captain Lee McCulloch singled out John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe for praise after Thursday’s hard-fought Europa League group-stage victory over Real Betis.
Perhaps the biggest compliment that can be played to John Lundstram – so influential during Rangers’ run to the final back in 2022 – is that Real Betis’ five-time Champions League-winning Spain international was limited to a peripheral role at Ibrox.
Much was made pre-match about Isco’s bandy-legged, balletic talents; A Rangers midfield shorn of the injured Nicolas Raskin seemingly ripe for the picking.
But Lundstram’s finest displays for the Glasgow giants have arguably come in European competition, and the former Sheffield United enforcer maintained that tradition when Manuel Pellegrini’s side came to town, his tally of four successful tackles more than any other Rangers player as Isco’s influence waned amid the fire and the ferocity (WhoScored).
John Lundstram and Kemar Roofe shine for Rangers
“I thought Lundstram was very, very good tonight,” McCulloch tells BBC SportSound before turning his attention to the man who stepped up in the absence of £6 million striker Danilo.
“(Kemar) Roofe was the man of the match,” he adds. “It’s a hard role to play especially when the defence is so deep, but he ran his socks off.
“I thought he was absolutely brilliant tonight.”
It was Roofe’s laser-guided through ball which presented Rabbi Matondo with a chance he really should have taken in just the fourth minute, the one-time Leeds United forward wreaking havoc in the Betis camp with his tendency to drop deep and link the play.
Jack Butland key again
“We have to really commit against a team like Real Betis. They are a good side and, in these close games, it is important we come out the other side of it,” Beale tells the Rangers website, his side indebted to one outstanding late Jack Butland save as they clung onto three valuable group-stage points.
“There have been a few close games in big matches where we have been found wanting in the small details, and tonight it was important.
“There are loads of things we have to improve on, there’s loads of things we have to work on, me and the players, but we can’t be short of effort, passion and desire and I think that’s what won it tonight.
“I thought we were the stronger team as the game went on and that is a big step in the right direction. It is just one step and now we really have to kick on this week with the three home games.”
