Ben Wild

Thu 22 October 2020 21:40, UK

Rangers beat Standard Liege 2-0 in their first Europa League group game as a penalty from James Tavernier and a Kemar Roofe goal was enough to secure the three points. 

It could have been more for Rangers as they missed a host of chances in the second half, but the Gers defence made sure that Liege couldn’t score an equalising goal.

Rangers took the lead through a Tavernier penalty after a Liege player handled in the box. The Gers captain took his goal tally to nine in his last 10 with an expertly dispatched penalty.

The score remained at 1-0 in the first half and the Gers charged out of the blocks in the second half. As the rain came down Rangers applied more pressure and Liege have their keeper to thank for keeping the score 1-0.

Kemar Roofe scored a spectacular effort to double the Gers lead in injury time as he fired home from inside his own half after spotting the Liege keeper off his line.

It was a great all-round performance that maintains the Gers’ unbeaten start to the season and will give even more confidence to Steven Gerrard’s side.

Here are the Ibrox News ratings for Standard Liege v Rangers:

Allan McGregor – 6

He had very little to do in the first half but the 38-year-old was good with his feet and didn’t give away possession. Booked for his over-the-top appeals to the referee when Jackson Muleka handled in the Gers box. It’s hard to give more than a six as McGregor has very little to do.

James Tavernier – 8

Composed in the early stages as the Liege attack looked to attack quickly and the Rangers captain was as attack-minded as usual. He took his penalty extremely well, finding the very bottom corner, unsavable. Another top performance from the Rangers captain as he once again set the standard.

Connor Goldson – 8

His header won the first-half penalty and he followed that up with an exceptional tackle to stop Muleka advancing towards McGregor’s goal. Solid at the back all night as nothing got passed him, another clean sheet in the bag for the Englishman.

Leon Balogun – 7

Impressed after coming into the side to replace Helander and he was one step ahead of the Liege attack all night. The Nigerian international made some vital blocks to secure a clean sheet for his side.

Borna Barisic – 6

Sent in a brilliant first-half cross that Tavernier couldn’t send goalwards and he defended well against the Liege wingers. He took a knock towards the end of the first half and was unable to continue.

Ryan Jack – 7 

Composed in the midfield and did well to link the Gers attack and defence. Did more defensive work than usual and he was almost a third centre-back at times, but he contributed to a strong Rangers defence that remained unbreached.

Glen Kamara – 6

As tidy as ever in the midfield. He didn’t have the same impact he had against Celtic, but he still managed a few trademark forward runs towards the Liege defence. However, he made a few uncharacteristic mistakes that could have cost his side a goal, but the Finn got away with it.

Scott Arfield – 8

Great first half tackle to stop Gavory getting a shot away in the box and he was equally as effective defending and attacking. He was a calm head in the Gers midfield and barely put a foot wrong all evening.

Ryan Kent – 7

Quiet in the first half as Rangers attacked down the right-hand side but won a few fouls for the Gers. He improved in the second half and caused problems for Liege when he drove at their defence. Lacked the killer instinct to double his side’s lead but another good performance from Kent.

Ianis Hagi – 5

Nearly doubled the Rangers lead with an excellent long-range effort. But the birthday boy couldn’t mark his special day with a special performance. The Romanian was booked for a nasty challenge in the first half and struggled to make inroads down the right. Improved in the second half but his decision making in front of goal let him down. Withdrawn in the 67th minute.

Alfredo Morelos – 4

Typically aggressive in the early stages and should’ve pulled the trigger when the ball fell at his feet inside the Liege box. He instead passed it to Scott Arfield in a surprisingly unselfish move by the Colombian. He also couldn’t finish a chance early in the second half where he could have squared it instead. Another poor night for Morelos. where he should have done a lot better.

Substitutes:

Calvin Bassey – 9

Brought on in the late stages of the first-hall after Barisic’s injury. He immediately looked bright as he attempted to break forward. He continued to play well in the second half and caused trouble for the Liege defence when he broke forward. Arguably man of the match.

Joe Aribo – 6

Brought on for Hagi in the 67th minute, some tidy stuff from the Nigerian but it is clear he isn’t fully fit. A few mistakes and misplaced passes but no major issues from Aribo as he returns to full fitness.

Kemar Roofe – 8

Had 15 minutes to impose himself after coming on for Morelos and he certainly did that. Scored from his own half in injury time to secure the points for his new side. What a contribution.

In other Rangers news, Ally McCoist has named two Rangers players who didn’t give enough against Celtic.