James Sands gets MOTM – Rangers Player Ratings in 2-2 draw v Hibernian
Rangers travelled to Easter Road on Saturday to take on Hibernian as they lost their perfect start to the Scottish Premiership season.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst made only two changes despite this showdown being placed in the middle of the two Champions League qualifier legs with PSV Eindhoven.
James Tavernier and Tom Lawrence fired in either side of Martin Boyle’s goal, but it was Alfredo Morelos and John Lundstram being sent off which caught the headlines – which then led to the last-gasp equaliser.
Ibrox News has rated the players out of 10 below…
Jon McLaughlin – 6
Again, the stopper didn’t have many, if any saves to make but still came away from the game conceding two goals and making basically no stops – no luck whatsoever.
James Tavernier – 7
It is usually the skipper who needs to bail us out when we look as though we could attack all afternoon and never score, and he once again kept his nerve superbly from the spot to smash home.
Connor Goldson – 6
It was a strange afternoon for Goldson, who was harried on the ball all afternoon and closed down more than he would have liked. Martin Boyle did cause havoc around him at times too, leading to him picking up that booking.
James Sands – 8
The American is starting to really make a name for himself in the heart of the defence and was superb once again today. Sands is so composed on and off the ball, and is really making it look easy at this moment.
Borna Barisic – 7
Someone is going to need to be ready with ice for our flying left-back tomorrow, as he was really in the wars with numerous fouls. Let’s spare a word for that excellent assist for the second goal, perfectly flighted cross – we need more of that.
Ryan Jack – 4
It is going to take time for Jack to get back to his best of last season, with his lack of playing time at the start of this campaign clearly taking its toll. The midfielder looked five yards behind the rest of the game at points, but that will come with more games as this game simply passed him by.
John Lundstram – 6 (Red Card)
How? That is all we can start this one with. Willie Collum once again tried to make it all about himself as that was never a red card. Lundstram dominated the loose balls around midfield before this decision that simply ruined his afternoon.
Tom Lawrence – 6
Nothing went well for the Welsh international until he found himself in the perfect area to head home the second. Lawrence will want more from himself moving forward, as he really could have chased in with a few goals if not for his wasteful start.
Rabbi Matondo – 4
Matondo was very quiet and it may be down to the fact he never got the chance to really open his legs and use his speed, although you have to create those chances for yourself. Way too quiet.
Ryan Kent – 6
Kent once again caused carnage but his final product let himself down. We need to start seeing more goals and assists, especially when they are on a plate as they were today – this game could have been put to bed.
Antonio Colak – 5
The Croatian doesn’t ever seem to do much of note in games, but is always at the heart of big moments, whether it is firing home or winning a penalty, as he did with smart play in the first half. We could ask for more, but this is where Colak thrives.
Rangers substitutes – Scott Arfield – 5, Alfredo Morelos – 2, Leon King – 6, Steven Davis – 6
In other Rangers news, Ross Wilson now has names lined up just in case Alfredo Morelos seals his exit this summer