Ben Wild

Fri 23 October 2020 8:10, UK

Rangers have won their first Europa League group game after beating Standard Liege 2-0 in Belgium.

A first-half penalty from James Tavernier and a sensational goal from his own half by Kemar Roofe gave the Gers three points on the road.

Roofe will undoubtedly grab the headlines after his outrageous effort but the entire side played well and were good value for the win.

Standard Liege caused the Gers very little trouble in the game as Allan McGregor was untested in the Rangers goal.

The result maintains Rangers’ unbeaten record in all competitions this season and is the second big result for the Light Blues in the last week, following Saturday’s Old Firm win.

Attention will now turn to Sunday’s match against Livingston, as Rangers will try to extend their lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership following Thursday’s win over Liege.

Here are three things we learned from the game:

1.) Bassey can step up when needed

Borna Barisic picked up a knock in the first half and was replaced by summer acquisition Calvin Bassey. From the first minute he was on the pitch Bassey, 20, looked right at home among European opposition. He was as much of a threat going forward as Barisic can be and didn’t shy away from defensive duties when Liege looked to break forward. He didn’t put a foot wrong all night and if Barisic does miss some games with his injury, Bassey will be replacing him on merit rather than out of necessity.

2.) Roofe is ready if Morelos keeps underperforming 

It was another miserable night for Alfredo Morelos as he struggled to improve on his dismal display against Celtic last weekend. The Colombian looked miles off the pace and struggled to stay onside while misplacing passes. He had a couple of opportunities to score but either the Liege keeper was equal to his efforts or his decision making let him down. His misses could have cost Rangers a win but Kemar Roofe announced his return from injury with a goal that will probably win the Gers goal of the season. There is no topping what Roofe produced on Thursday night and he will now be hot on the heels of Morelos in the race for a starting place this weekend.

3.) This is the best Rangers squad in years

Now that is a bold claim. But the Liege game showed that Steven Gerrard’s side has more strength and depth to it that any Gers squad in the last few years. Leon Balogun came in for Filip Helander and barely put a foot wrong. Bassey arguably played better than Barisic after replacing him. Joe Aribo also did well replacing Ianis Hagi and Roofe obviously outperformed his striking competition Morelos. If the Gers are to compete successfully at home and in Europe they need a squad that can be rotated and not lose quality. Last weekend’s Old Firm and Thursday’s European game proved that Gerrard can rotate his team and still get quality performances from them. That proof is huge for the Gers in their hunt for silverware this season.

In other Rangers news, Chris Sutton was blown away by one Rangers player in the 2-0 win against Standard Liege.