Doug Ward

Sun 16 October 2022 13:49, UK

Rangers bounced back from their Champions League humiliation with a laboured 2-1 win over Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon.

Malik Tillman and John Lundstram both scored in the second half after a woeful opening 45 minutes from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men.

Stuart McKinstry’s free-kick bamboozled Allan McGregor to find its way into the back of the net in the 77th minute to set up a nervy ending to the game in North Lanarkshire.

But Rangers held on to secure all three points and alleviate some of the pressure on the under-fire van Bronckhorst.

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

Allan McGregor – 4

For a goalkeeper as good as McGregor, it’s unbelievable that he was beaten by McKinstry’s free-kick. The 40-year-old goalkeeper didn’t really have anything to do and when he was called upon, he messed up badly. McGregor will be more annoyed by that than anyone, we’re sure.

James Tavernier – 4

It was weird to see Tavernier have such little impact in the attack when playing against a team like Motherwell. He’s usually charging up the field, getting in shots and supplying assists. Borna Barisic was far more effective in the attack than Tavernier on Sunday – and that’s saying something.

Leon King – 6

King played a lot better against Motherwell than he did against Liverpool, unsurprisingly. The teenager was forced into the starting line-up due to Connor Goldson’s injury and he did a very good job other than suffering the embarrassment of being nutmegged in the first half.

Ben Davies – 7

Davies has to be a key player for Rangers over the coming weeks and months while Goldson is out injured. The former Liverpool centre-back had a good first half against Liverpool in the week and was solid against Motherwell. He was probably our best player at Fir Park.

Borna Barisic – 6

We’re usually quite quick to criticise Barisic but he was probably the best attacking threat Rangers had at Fir Park. He got a lot of crosses into the box and while some of them were a bit wayward, he ended up getting the ball onto the head of Antonio Colak, who diverted his attempt well wide, before assisting Lundstram’s goal. It was a better performance from the Croatian, who’s bought himself more time in van Bronckhorst’s starting line-up with that display.

John Lundstram – 6

It was a muddled performance from Lundstram, who was easily bypassed by Motherwell in the midfield at times, slowed down the pace of the game and generally looked off the boil. And then he popped up with a wonderful header to double Rangers’ lead in the second half.

Scott Arfield – 4

Arfield was dropped a bit deeper than he would have liked against Motherwell, who sat back a bit deeper and nullified his threat a bit. Arfield was rightly substituted off by van Bronckhorst. He didn’t really offer anything.

Malik Tillman – 6

Tillman scored a good goal but he was helped massively by the fact Motherwell’s defenders just let him run past them. It was like playing FIFA on amateur mode. Before that goal, Tillman worked hard but his overall impact was pretty terrible as he squandered several chances and misplaced a pass that led to a chance for Motherwell.

Rabbi Matondo – 3

Matondo’s so far away from what we need from a Rangers player. He was dreadful at Fir Park and has next to no impact at all other than the fact he went on a really long, mazy run at one point. Nothing happened though. Woeful end product.

Ryan Kent – 2

Kent didn’t do anything in this game other than shy away from having a shot at goal early on to try and put Rangers ahead. Fans are understandably losing patience with the former Liverpool winger, who’s the most expensive player in this squad and should be performing far better than he is. It’s laughable to see him linked with Premier League clubs in England. He wouldn’t have improved Motherwell’s side if he was in their starting line-up on Sunday. Kent needs to go in January.

Antonio Colak – 4

Colak was feeding off scraps thanks to the poor performances of those behind him at Fir Park. It’s almost impossible to ask a striker to have an impact in a game when the midfielders and wingers aren’t playing well. Barisic provided the most for Colak and when he did have the odd chance, he was off it.

Substitutions:

Steven Davis (on for Arfield, ’65) – 5

Scott Wright (on for Matondo, ’65) – 5

Alfredo Morelos (on for Colak, ’81) – N/A

In other Rangers news, an official partner of the Gers has called on the board to sack van Bronckhorst and Ross Wilson.