Dan Carter

Sat 5 August 2023 19:07, UK

Rangers embarrassingly began the season with a dreadful 1-0 defeat against Kilmarnock on Saturday, 5, August in the Scottish Premiership.

Michael Beale’s side were nowhere near their best as Brad Lyons’ second-half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.

Rangers looked much more like a team of individuals rather than a united front proving the Light Blues are going to take time to adapt after nine new arrivals at Ibrox this summer.

Ibrox News have shared their first player ratings of the new season below;

Jack Butland – 6

Would have hoped to keep out Lyons’ opener having got a fingertip to the strike. Looked to go long early with the ball at his feet aiming for the physical presence of Dessers with mixed success. Excellent sliding challenge on Kennedy to deny him a clear goalscoring chance. Harsh to say he could’ve done too much more for the goal and saved well to deny Kyle Magennis.

James Tavernier – 6

As creative as ever with very little to aim for in the area, attempting 10 crosses in the match. Showed his quality on the ball as Rangers fans have come to expect, an excellent cross early on that Dessers couldn’t quite reach. Wasted a good opportunity with an awful sliced cross in the first half. Crucial flick defensively to prevent the home side from taking the lead in the opening period and always offered a threat from dead-ball situations.

Connor Goldson – 6

Won a majority of his duels at the back and didn’t put a foot wrong despite Rangers being far from their best. Could’ve done more on the ball having been incredibly inaccurate with his long passing but was one of many to struggle against Kilmarnock’s low block.

John Souttar – 4

An awful piece of defending when he was unable to clear the ball when it dropped to him for Kilmarnock’s opener gifting Lyons with the chance to score. was afforded plenty of space travelling with the ball from left centre-back and looked comfortable to try and effect the game on the ball. Would’ve hoped to have hit the target with a header from Tavernier’s corner in the second half as it drifted wide.

Borna Barisic – 4

Still looks to be struggling at left-back, and failed to find a teammate with any of his five crosses in the first half. Left-back still looks to be a position in which Beale could do with more options. Just another example of the lack of positivity in the final third in Beale’s side.

Kieran Dowell – 5

A victim of the home side’s low block as he wasn’t afforded much space to pick up the ball between the opposition’s lines. Didn’t show the technical skill everyone knows he is capable of. Nearly broke the deadlock with a deflected shot after the hour mark only to be withdrawn moments later without really impacting the game.

John Lundstram – 6

A typically uniform but unexciting performance from the midfielder. Kept possession well without always being particularly progressive. Found Sima with a clever ball behind the defence. Picked out Barisic with an excellent through ball after 25 minutes that should’ve produced a chance. Was unfortunate to be denied by Dennis with a powerful strike from the edge of the box.

Nicolas Raskin – 6

Tried to kickstart the Rangers attacking play from the heart of midfield. Broke up play from the middle of the park but didn’t have a huge impact on proceedings, despite creating two chances. Didn’t stop running in an attempt to inspire some sort of positivity, but like so many others weren’t able to make the difference in the final third.

Abdallah Sima – 6

The most lively player in an otherwise static Rangers team. Tried an audacious attempt in the opening ten minutes to flick Lundstram’s ball towards goal with a back heel. Mishit a cross, awfully late in the second half that troubled the stand more than any Kilmarnock players. A willing runner throughout the match and occupied defenders without really having much impact on the match.

Sam Lammers – 5

A rather underwhelming first start given how good he’s looked in pre-season. Struggled to get involved in the early stages of the game. Didn’t react quick enough to tap in from a scramble after Dessers’ effort from a corner. Couldn’t get on the end of Sima’s cutback in the second half in a game where he looked like a bit of a passenger in Beale’s side.

Cyriel Dessers – 5

A rather disappointing debut for the forward who struggled to be involved in the first half only managing nine touches before the break. Was a physical presence in the opening minutes, but was occasionally too easily brushed off of the ball. Was lucky to be offside having wasted a one-on-one chance when tackled by Lewis Mayo. Struck a chance straight at Will Dennis from inside the area but didn’t test the keeper again before being withdrawn on the hour mark.

Subs

Todd Cantwell – 6

A feisty cameo off the bench as he attempted to spark some life into play, but couldn’t prove to be the difference.

Danilo – 6

Like most of his forward counterparts couldn’t get involved in the play, hopefully, more to come as he finds his feet in Glasgow.

Ryan Jack – 6

Kemar Roofe – 6

In other Rangers news, Fashion Sakala is in direct talks to confirm his Ibrox departure for £3m