Whole team stink, McLaughlin gets 5/10 – Rangers vs Ajax player ratings
Rangers were thumped for a second game in a row as Ajax put four past them in Amsterdam in the opening Champions League game of the season.
Ajax were dominant in possession and put this fragile defence to the sword in the first half as goals from Edson Alvarez, Steven Berghuis and Mohammed Kudus gave them a 3-0 half-time lead.
The second half was played as though both sides knew the result was already sealed but former Spurs man Steven Bergwijn was able to round McLaughlin with ten minutes to go to rub salt in the wounds and round off the 4-0 win.
This is how Ibrox News rated each Rangers’ player’s performance;
Jon McLaughlin – 5/10
The keeper was under pressure before a ball was even kicked on the night and while there was little he could do about any of the goals, his distribution left a lot to be desired and even more questions will now be asked.
James Tavernier – 2/10
A really poor showing from the skipper. He was caught under the ball for the opening goal and got absolutely ripped apart by Kudus for the third goal after allowing him to turn and then be outpaced. Offered very little going forward and was hooked at half-time.
Connor Goldson – 3/10
Supposed to be the leader of the back line but lost his voice in this one. Caught under the ball for the opening goal and offered little motivation to the team once they went behind. Could easily have gone off at half-time too.
James Sands – 3/10
Should have attacked the ball for the opening goal, stuck a lazy leg out to try and block the ball for the second goal and just once again offered very little to convince that he should be a regular starter for Rangers.
Borna Barisic – 3/10
At some point the manager will realise Barisic isn’t good enough to be a regular starter, but it won’t be based on tonight. Barisic had a wondergoal ruled out in the second half and not too much went down his side despite a relatively poor showing.
John Lundstram – 3/10
Considering he is one of the first names on the team sheet these days, Rangers fans should be concerned by the form that Lundstram is showing right now. His passing was poor, he lost the battle in the middle of the pitch and he looks in need of a break.
Glen Kamara – 4/10
Kamara’s energy was good and his tackling okay, but ultimately he wasn’t good enough in the midfield as Ajax ran riot. Got substituted in the second half but didn’t do anything particularly wrong on the night.
Scott Wright – 2/10
Wright was a bit of a surprise starter on the wing but the idea was clearly that his pace could hurt them on the counter. Instead he barely touched the ball, posed no threat whatsoever and was yanked off at half-time. A stinker.
Malik Tillman – 4/10
Tillman was arguably the only bright spark in attack, trying to drive from a midfield position into the final third and using his power well but having nobody to bounce off to help. Was taken off at half-time, likely in a bid to protect him, but he can hold his head up for trying.
Ryan Kent – 2/10
Kent doesn’t look fit or particularly interested in being part of the Rangers squad right now. His usual electric pace was absent as he opted against taking his man on regularly, and there was limited goal threat from him all night. Not good.
Antonio Colak – 2/10
Could quite easily have forgotten that he was on the pitch and it would have explained the team’s poor performance a little bit more. Couldn’t hold the ball up, offered little in terms of pressing from the front and just had a poor showing overall.
Substitutes
Ryan Jack – 3/10
It was a surprise that he was left out and the way he’s been phased out of the team this season has been a surprise, but he was strong defensively in the second half and seemed up for the fight. Awful back pass gifted Ajax their fourth though.
Leon King – 4/10
Was asked to slot in for the skipper out of position and did relatively well, although he was rarely tested as Ajax took their foot off the gas. Could easily find himself in the lineup going forward though after the last two games.
Rabbi Matondo – 2/10
Could have been forgiven for thinking that he didn’t come off the bench. Offered absolutely nothing going forward and defensively couldn’t help much as Ajax dominated in the second half once again.
Steven Davis – N/A
In other Rangers news, Tam McManus fumes at vile Celtic chant vs Rangers