Mike Slater

Thu 7 April 2022 21:56, UK

Rangers travelled to Portugal this evening to take on Braga in their Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst will have been wanting a response from the Celtic defeat but didn’t get that in terms of a result.

Braga will come back to Ibrox with a 1-0 lead next week with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs for both sides.

Ibrox News rated the players below…

Allan McGregor – 5

The veteran stopper has pulled off many heroic nights this season in Europe, but this wasn’t one of them. There wasn’t much he could do with the goal and other chances weren’t on target.

James Tavernier – 4

The skipper was another of those who just didn’t get started in Portugal, with his set-pieces simply shocking at times and not one dangerous ball being put into the box from him.

Connor Goldson – 5

The towering enforcer made numerous crucial tackles and blocks but was sloppy once again when in possession on a night where he couldn’t afford to do that.

Leon Balogun – 2

A night to forget. Ally McCoist insisted he could have picked up an injury when dragged off after 60 minutes, but that doesn’t excuse his shocking performance, with his mistake leading to the opening goal – must do better.

Calvin Bassey – 5

The young left-back has justified his spot ahead of Borna Barisic this season, but like many, struggled this evening. What we will say is that his pace certainly saved the Gers conceding more this evening with some pivotal interceptions.

Ryan Jack – 7

The midfield two were both solid yet again. Jack is never afraid to get stuck in and he proved that again tonight, we just hope that knock to his knee isn’t serious after another big tackle.

John Lundstram – 8

Man of the Match. Not many can say they have had a bigger influence on this squad since Giovanni van Bronckhorst arrived at Ibrox. Lundstram was once again everywhere in each third and was a menace defensively with his power.

Glen Kamara – 5

The Finland international starred at Red Star Belgrade in this playmaker role in the previous round, but that wasn’t the case this time around. Kamara failed to get on the ball and make a difference, eventually dropping back into a holding role.

Scott Arfield – 5

This was the story of the night, another one who was simply average. Arfield has been favoured on European nights in the front three for his defensive ability, but his attack was non-existent and he never really pressed effectively.

Ryan Kent – 6

Our main attacking threat. Yan Couto did well to blunt him for large periods, but when Kent got on the ball and ran at his man, he was untouchable – he was really hurt by the lack of options around him.

Fashion Sakala – 1

Well, this attacking predicament really is harming us. Sakala was shocking this evening, and his failure to utilise his pace against a back three of fridge-like defenders baffles us. We need Morelos back, it’s a huge shame it won’t come until next season if he remains at Ibrox.

Rangers Substitutes;

Kemar Roofe – 5, Joe Aribo – 4, Borna Barisic 5

In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart has shared his reaction to a “huge” development at Ibrox to come in April