Rangers needed a good performance against Malmo to emerge victorious and Philippe Clement will be proud of his team’s efforts.
One player in particular deserves a special mention due to playing just nine minutes before the manager threw him in at the deepend in Sweden.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo was a late addition to the squad on transfer deadline day and his first starting appearance was one for Rangers fans to get excited about with an 8/10 player rating.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo makes instant Rangers impression
On loan from Feyenoord with an option to buy, the Netherlands Under-21 international has a reputation for being an aggressive defender with an intense work rate.
That none of the opportunities Malmo created came down the 22-year old’s side shows just how effective he was at nullifying the opposition threat.
Kasanwirjo lost possession just six times compared to James Tavernier’s 15 at right-back, with a pass completion percentage rate of 89% to the skipper’s 67%, via Sofascore.
As a reminder, Kasanwirjo was on his “weaker” side.
One moment where the 6ft tall utility defender didn’t cover himself in glory was when a late chance with an xG (expected goal) rating of 0.28 was blazed high and wide when all he had to do was pick his spot.
He can be forgiven on this occasion with the score at 2-0 and the adrenalin rush of potentially opening his Rangers account.
What was impressive was how quickly Kasanwirjo identified threats and cut them out at source.
Jens Stryger Larsson didn’t get past Kasanwirjo once and was left with the option of having to go back the way almost every time he got the ball.
When he didn’t have a man to mark, the Gers auxiliary left-back would help out in midfield and add more pressure to Malmo players in possession.
With Rangers playing out from the back, Nana, as he is affectionately known, looked assured and confident, playing one-touch football and driving forward into space.
Again, this was on his debut and on his less favourable side.
Clement could have a decision to make at right-back
Speaking after the game to Rangers TV, Neraysho Kasanwirjo was happy with his contribution:
“It was good to come into the team because everyone is all together and that was good to see.
“The manager told me to play my game and that the team would help me. It was just about doing my thing, not being nervous, and that was the message from the coach.
“I already know Robin [Propper] from the Dutch competition. Soapy (John Souttar) helped me as well, Tav too, and the midfielders as well. It was good to come into the team and everyone is one. We all help each other.
“It’s not only defenders who were good in getting the clean sheet. We got a clean sheet and the attackers did their thing and score.
“Most of the time if we keep a clean sheet we’ll win the game, so it’s important for the whole team.”
With Tavernier struggling on the other side both in possession and positionally, Philippe Clement might soon have a decision to make.
Teams are starting to target the captain knowing that he isn’t in form and has lost a yard either physically or mentally.
On too many occasions, he is leaving balls that he could deal with and second guessing himself, causing panic on the right side of the defence.
But for Mohamed Diomande and John Souttar, he might have had a few questions to face.
Unlike Kasanwirjo, who answered everyone that was thrown at him until Malmo gave up and kept the ball away from him.
