George Overhill

Wed 9 August 2023 21:37, UK

Rangers started strongly but couldn’t ultimately make their dominance pay in a close 2-1 victory over Servette in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, with an encouraging but far from perfect display.

Todd Cantwell was brought down in the box to James Tavernier to settle the nerves with an early opener from the penalty spot, before Cyriel Dessers was handed a gift to open his Gers account inside 15 minutes as a Borna Barisic cross hit him and went into an open goal.

Soon after Sam Lammers somehow failed to do the same Dessers gave away a penalty for handball to let Chris Bedia to smash home. But after David Douline was sent off close to the hour for a second foul on Cantwell the threat subsided, although the Light Blues were unable to add to their lead.

Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performances in the European opener, as plenty of players did well without truly hitting the heights.

Jack Butland – 6

Did what was asked for him until the penalty. Tried his best to put Bedia off but could do nothing as he was sent the wrong way. Not tested greatly for the rest of the night.

James Tavernier – 7

Rangers fans won’t have been surprised it was the captain who scored the first goal of the campaign, and rivals won’t have been that it came from the spot. Characteristically advanced and put some decent balls in from the right but not much else.

Connor Goldson – 6

Fairly uneventful outing for the centre-back who did largely what he was supposed to without being put under huge pressure by the visitors.

John Souttar – 7

Good game. Excellent surge upfield found Barisic to lay on the second goal in a strong response to the sloppy play that led to Kilmarnock’s goal on Saturday. Generally put in a strong showing, although he was booked after being beaten in midfield.

Borna Barisic – 6

Not put under too much pressure defensively, he was freed up to show the quality of his delivery from out wide. Produced a dangerous cross that went through to Dessers to double the lead with ease at the back post. Enraged the home fans in taking an age on the ball to be dispossessed late on.

Ryan Jack (off for Cifuentes ’77) – 7

Decent outing. Sharp passing as Rangers looked much improved on the ball, and made a couple of key defensive contributions to snuff out a potential Servette fight back.

Nico Raskin (off for Wright ’89) – 8 (Man of the Match)

Pick of the performers with a dynamic display offensively and defensively. Heavily involved all over the pitch and combative in the midfield straight away while showing plenty of willingness to get forward. Only a missed sitter from Lammers preventing the Belgian registering a first-half assist in a nice break forward and close with shots from range.

Todd Cantwell – 7

Good but not great. Immediately made clear why so many Rangers fans were disappointed to see him left out of the XI for the SPFL opener. Gave Chris Sutton an early present when he showed sharpness to seize on a loose ball in the box and was felled for a penalty after being involved in good build-up play. Was summarily booted by the same man who he won the penalty off, Douline, to see him sent off. Didn’t have the full impact his early work suggested.

Sam Lammers (off for Dowell ’78) – 6

Aside from the guilt-edged chance he somehow missed his play was solid, but that third goal could prove a vital absence. Did well to keep the ball in with a cut back that led to the early penalty but should have scored his first in similar fashion as Dessers when found by Raskin only to skew wide of an open net. So close to making amends early in the second half but kept out by an excellent save.

Danilo (off for Sima ’65) – 6

Reasonable outing but clearly not up to full speed. Looked dynamic as billed early in his first start but struggled to find his passing radar early on as a few moves broke down. Less involved later on but went close from the edge of the area shortly before he went off.

Cyriel Dessers (off for Hagi ’88) – 7

Up and down night but showed encouraging signs. Upset the crowd by sending a the ball back to the defence in his first involvement and looked like he was feeling the pressure early, until the perfect solution arrived with his first Rangers goal. Seemed far more confident from then on and linked up fairly well with his teammates on the whole. Gave Servette a route back when he handled somewhat needlessly in the box to concede a penalty after review. Only another great save stopped him scoring again but first goal should be crucial.

Subsitutes

Abdallah Sima (on for Danilo ’65) – 6

Nice combination with Dessers saw him fire a decent attempt at goal that was held by the keeper.

Jose Cifuentes (on for Jack ’77) – 7

Won possession a couple of times to show his defensive quality.

Kieran Dowell (on for Lammers ’78) – 6

Ianis Hagi (on for Dessers ’88) – N/A

Scott Wright (on for Raskin 89′) – N/A

In other Rangers news, the club have secured a “good deal” but look to have made a “mistake” in the transfer market.