Ibrox View: Three things we learnt from Rangers defeat v Bayer Leverkusen
Rangers slumped out of the Europa League on Thursday evening with a 4-1 aggregate defeat to Bayer Leverkusen.
The Gers were always facing an uphill battle going into the second leg of that tie, and knew from the outset that they had to find at least three goals in Germany to see them through to the next round.
Alas, there was no miraculous comeback to be had in a fairly lacklustre performance, with Steven Gerrard’s men registering just 35% possession and managing a paltry four shots to their hosts’ 15.
In the grand scheme of things, this result wasn’t exactly shocking, nor will it be particularly damaging to Rangers.
Bowing out of Europe means they can focus on that all-important Scottish Premiership title race with Celtic, for the time being at least, and this will be a continental campaign that will be fondly looked back on for years to come.
Still, Thursday’s defeat was illuminating for a number of reasons, and here are three things we learnt from the 1-0 loss…
1. Helander will be a big presence this season
This time last month, Rangers looked desperately short at centre-back.
With Nikola Katic injured, the Gers were facing a Premiership restart with George Edmundson and Connor Goldson as their only fit senior options at the heart of defence.
Fast forward a few weeks, and suddenly Steven Gerrard has an embarrassment of riches to pick from.
Leon Balogun impressed during his debut on Saturday, while Filip Helander looked very assured alongside Goldson last night.
The Swede made a colossal 13 interceptions, as well as winning 100% of his aerial duels, as per Wyscout.
In fact, he was so good that Gerrard will surely have a headache as to who he partners the ever-present Goldson with on Sunday afternoon against St. Mirren.
At the very least, Helander proved that he has a lot to offer this season.
It’s good to have him back.
2. Tavernier needs to pull his finger out
From nice headaches, to bad ones.
James Tavernier did not put in a good display on Thursday.
His cross accuracy was 0%, and his dribble success rate was 8.9% lower than usual too, as per Wyscout.
But really, the worst thing about his performance was his decision-making for Leverkusen’s winner.
The rest of the defence hold their line well, but the skipper tries to go with his man, plays him onside, and is soundly rinsed for pace.
It’s shoddy and naive, and it’s not unreasonable to expect better from the captain.
With a certain Nathan Patterson waiting in the wings, Tavernier needs to be extra careful that moments like this don’t cost him his starting spot.
3. Taxi for Morelos
It’s sad that it had to end like this.
Alfredo Morelos has been a hero during his time at Ibrox, and he deserves all the love and admiration that has been showered on him over the years by the fanbase.
But the Morelos we saw last night looked like an imposter.
Disinterested, cumbersome, apathetic – this was the display of a man who has already decided that he is leaving at the first possible opportunity.
With no shots, no dribbles, and just eight successful passes in 80 minutes, Morelos drifted around the field with all the presence and purpose of a dreary cloud of fog.
Kris Boyd has told Sky Sports that he believes the Colombian will be headed for the exit door sooner rather than later, and honestly, based on this display, he doesn’t deserve to start at the weekend.
If this was his last match in a Rangers shirt, what a sad way to cap things off.
In other Rangers news, Darren Fletcher has backed this Gers talent for big season in 20/21 after impressive showing v Aberdeen.