Rangers took on an Ayr United team looking to cause an upset with Philippe Clement ringing the changes in an attempt to give some new signings and those who were a bit rusty some game time.
The Gers boss rotated his squad with Mohamed Diomande and Oscar Cortes getting a debut start at Ibrox.
With Rangers looking to add the Scottish Cup to the League Cup, here are your player ratings for the clash against Ayr United.
Rangers v Aberdeen – player ratings
A new look line-up was always to be expected and here is how they performed:
Jack Butland – 6
As expected, not much to do and it was a surprise that Robby McCrorie wasn’t picked for this one.
James Tavernier – 6
Pushed high and looked to link play with Nicolas Raskin and Scott Wright, took up some good positions in the box but nothing really came off for him.
Borna Barisic – 7
Good to see him listening to the manager and playing in the right areas, was rewarded with a deflection that he desevered woth his supporting run and well-placed strike.
Should have scored a second but skewed a volley across the goal, it was harder to miss.
Connor Goldson – 5
Definitely has a concentration issue that he has to fix, gave the ball away a couple of times cheaply and left his man on a counter attack but the final ball let him off the hook.
Definitely not himself.
John Souttar – 7
Rangers on-form defender just now and putting in the performances to back up his impressive numbers.
Nicolas Raskin – 6
Loads of energy, got through a power of work and won back possession quickly when teammates lost it.
could have done a bit more in possession.
Ryan Jack – 6
Not as effective as John Lundstram in the central pivot role in that he doesn’t have the same passing range or mobility.
Similar to Raskin, work rate was first class and moved the ball quickly but should be dominating play against a lower league side.
Mohamed Diomande – 7
Can tell that he is a player who will carry out the instructions asked of him.
Rarely gave the ball away or lost possession and moved it quickly whenever he had it.
Oscar Cortes – 9
Rabbi Matondo has been producing numbers from the left but Cortes looked more calm and composed whenever he had the ball.
Unlucky not to score with a few well placed and struck efforts.
Also, should have had a penalty.
Scott Wright – 4
Quick and can beat a defender easily enough but what happens next is usually nowhere near good enough whether it is a shot, a pass or a cross.
Ineffective.
Fabio Silva – 7
Can’t fault his work rate and got into some great positions but was crowded out with Ayr packing the box with numbers.
More than happy to put himself about but has the finesse to create space if he is given decent service- which he didn’t get.
Rewarded with a poachers goal.
Substitutes
Todd Cantwell – 7
Positive impact off the bench, pivotal in the decisive second to calm the nerves.
Rabbi Matondo – 6
Caused problems but lacked a cutting edge.
John Lundstram – 6
Picked the tempo up in midfield.
Ridvan Yilmaz – 6
Offered a different threat to Barisic.
Leon King – 6
Not enough time to make an impact.
