Rangers player ratings vs Fenerbahce: “Unbelievable” 9/10 dynamo everywhere, 5/10 ineffective
Rangers player ratings vs Fenerbahce: “Unbelievable” 9/10 dynamo everywhere, 5/10 ineffective
Barry Ferguson would never have thought that he would end this season managing Rangers and facing one of the games greats in Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho.
The new Rangers manager had a near fully fit squad to work with and decided to change shape in an attempt to shore up the defence, given recent issues with conceding goals.
With the tie in the balance ahead of the return to Ibrox, here are your Rangers player ratings for the Europa League clash with Fenerbahce.
Rangers player ratings vs Fenerbahce
Rangers have looked like a different team in the Europa League this season and this is how they rated:
Jack Butland – 7
Continues to look like he isn’t fully comfortable sweeping up behind his defence and wiped out Robin Propper when it should have been an easy situation for the pair to deal with.
One outstanding save in the first half and dealt well with a series of corners and second phase crosses.
Calmed down in the second half and commanded his area well, with a stunning stop in the 90th minute to keep the score at 3-1.
Jefte – 7
It is this type of game that you can see how inexperienced Jefte is.
Made a couple of timely interventions in the box, however, also gave cheap possession away on too many occasions when he just needed to calm down.
Much better in the second half and unlucky not to get an assist.
James Tavernier – 7
Playing as a right-sided centre-half in a back three, James Tavernier slotted into the role with ease and looked to link play with Ridvan Yilmaz outside him.
Couldn’t get forward as much as he would have liked, but there is a future for the skipper in this position.
Robin Propper – 2
Replaced very early due to a collision with Jack Butland having coped with Edin Dzeko before being replaced by Leon Balogun as a precaution.
John Souttar – 8
Outstanding in the first half and it is easy to see just how much he has been missed given his contribution.
Comfortable on the ball, good in the air and made one block on the stroke of half-time that was heading for the top corner.
A colossus.
Nicolas Raskin – 9
Won good possession back on numerous occasions but, like Jefte, needed to calm down a bit when looking to get Rangers on the front foot.
Could see he knew that the counter attack was always on and he started the break for the second goal, also had three attempts at goal of his own from good positions.
Was pivotal in the second period as others felt the effects of fatigue, covering every blade of grass in an incredible shift.
His pass for Cerny to make it three is one that Ferguson would have been proud of, perfect, with Ally McCoist on commentary branding his performance “unbelievable”.
Mohamed Diomande – 7
One of Rangers’ best players in the first half as he got through a power of work driving his team forward and helping out in midfield.
His pressing and persistence paid off for the opening goal to ramp the pressure up on the home side.
Tired as the game went on going box to box.
Connor Barron – 5
Looked rusty in the opening stages but was forgiven due to it being his first start since Rangers played Man Utd.
Work rate couldn’t be faulted and tried to keep things simple with his main brief being to focus on Fenerbahce when they had the ball.
Did well to last as long as he did but offered little in the second half.
Vaclav Cerny – 8
Given more license to drift inside and was a constant menace to Fenerbahce linking with Cyriel Dessers.
Well worked goal for Rangers’ second and played a key part in the opener too with his determination to win the ball back.
Whenever Rangers countered, finding Cerny made a real difference in getting up to and around the penalty area and topped off his display with a stunning goal for Rangers third.
Ridvan Yilmaz – 7
When the team news was announced, it looked like Ridvan might be playing on the left wing, however, another new position was added to his list with an unfamiliar right wing-back role.
Ferguson is a fan of Ridvan and the Turk’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed although a couple of slack passes put unnecessary pressure on his teammates.
Cyriel Dessers – 8
Where do you start?
A goal and an assist in the opening 45 minutes, both, without exaggeration, were world class.
The touch and finish for the opening goal was outstanding only to be bettered for the first time pass for Vaclav Cerny for the second justifying his inclusion once again.
Unlucky to be ruled offside when it looked like he scored a second with the lines appearing to have been drawn to his arm and when his toe was marginally off too.
Despite the numbers, what impressed most about Dessers was the number of free-kicks he won and times he got Rangers up the park.
Substitutes
Leon Balogun – 8
Came on as an early substitute for Propper and produced his usual level of composure at the back.
Won his headers and his duels and commanded the box in the second half like his life depended on it.
Ianis Hagi – 6
Didn’t really have much of a chance to impact proceedings playing in a deeper number eight role.
Dujon Sterling – 7
First involvement typified why he was needed when he engaged Alain Saint-Maximin higher up the park and won the ball for his team.
Immediately stopped the former Newcastle United winger from getting in behind, Rangers best defender in one-v-one situations by a mile.
Tom Lawrence – 6
On with time running out, tasked with adding fresh legs in front of the defence.
Hamza Igamane – 6
Replaced Dessers, who had ran his race, but didn’t have much chance to make an impact.
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