Doug Ward

Tue 18 January 2022 21:37, UK

Rangers dropped two vital points in the Scottish Premiership title race as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s 10 men drew 1-1 with Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Tuesday night.

Ianis Hagi’s 20th-minute goal put the Gers in a strong position after a sublime assist by Ryan Kent.

However, Aberdeen gained momentum after the break and Alfredo Morelos’ handball allowed the home side a chance to get back into the game via the penalty spot.

Lewis Ferguson stuck the penalty past Allan McGregor before Kent was shown two yellow cards.

Van Bronckhorst was a man down but his players managed to see out the point at Pittodrie in what was a disappointing return after the winter break.

Here, Ibrox News rates the players out of 10 for their performances:

Allan McGregor – 5

McGregor was fortunate to have not conceded a penalty right before Hagi’s opening goal and was nowhere near Ferguson’s penalty. It was otherwise a quiet night for the goalkeeper.

James Tavernier – 5

There isn’t too much to report on Tavernier’s performance. We need him to get back to his best as soon as possible but Aberdeen seemed to keep him pushed back for most of the game.

Connor Goldson – 6

It wasn’t Goldson’s worst performance this season but he wasn’t amazing either. Goldson sprayed some good passes out of the defence but could have done better at set-pieces.

Calvin Bassey – 6

Bassey was sloppy in possession as he played at centre-back again but he showed good strength at times.

Borna Barisic – 5

Barisic is still struggling to stop crosses and isn’t really contributing much at all when going forward.

Glen Kamara – 5

Kamara faded as the match went on. There hasn’t been as much transfer speculation surrounding him this month. And there won’t be much either if he plays like that much more.

James Sands – 4

It was a debut to forget for Sands, who was chasing shadows in the Rangers midfield. Aberdeen dominated large spells of that game and that was because they won the midfield battle. Van Bronckhorst should have subbed off his new signing, who had a shocker.

Ianis Hagi – 5

Hagi was the goalscorer for Rangers but away from that goal, he was absolutely woeful. Hagi gifted possession away so cheaply and just looked so short of quality. He must improve and his goal probably stopped him from getting a far lower rating.

Scott Wright – 5

It’s fair to say that we need to strengthen our options on the right-wing either in this window or in the summer. Wright was sub-par on his return to Pittodrie and we need better.

Alfredo Morelos – 7

Morelos was unfortunate to concede the penalty and was also unlucky to have a good volley at goal saved well by Joe Lewis. Morelos was great in the build-up to Hagi’s goal.

Ryan Kent – 8

We don’t care that Kent got sent off, it was a superb attacking display by the winger. Kent’s cross in for Hagi’s goal was incredible and he also showed some great skill and drive at other points in the match. He wasn’t able to do it too often due to our midfield’s poor display. Kent was sent off for two yellow cards – two very, very soft yellow cards.

Substitutes:

John Lundstram (on for Wright, 64′) – 5

Fashion Sakala (on for Hagi, 78′) – 5

Cedric Itten (on for Morelos, 89′) – N/A

In other Rangers news, the winner has been named in the Gers’ race to sign this player after a £5million bid was lodged from Ibrox.