Dujon Sterling flops on debut, Rabbi Matondo shines – Rangers player ratings v Greenock Morton
Rangers avoided potential embarrassment with a comeback 2-1 win over Greenock Morton at Ibrox thanks to a controversial penalty decision.
Rangers had some decent chances in the first-half through Rabbi Matondo, Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers but none could find the net and the two teams went into the break with the deadlock still unbroken.
Dessers conceded a penalty early in the second half which Gillespie converted to strike fear of a shock into Ibrox, before Rangers were given a penalty of their own minutes later rather controversially which was converted by the Nigerian forward.
Substitute Danilo then beat his man and smashed the ball past the goalkeeper to give Rangers the lead, before the home side dominated the remainder of the fixture to progress to the next round.
Here’s how we rated the performance of the Rangers players during the win over Greenock Morton.
Jack Butland – 6/10
Could do nothing about the penalty but he commanded his area well and was quick off his line when he needed to be. The rightful number-one goalkeeper at Ibrox.
Dujon Sterling – 4/10
Sterling’s debut showed the reason why James Tavernier is still the undisputed number one right-back at the club. He looked sluggish when covering ground, his final ball was poor and he lacked that bit of quality needed to break down stubborn opposition. Must do better.
Leon Balogun – 5/10
The veteran didn’t do much wrong but he was sacrificed for Beale’s more attacking substitutions and that meant he wasn’t really given the chance to improve on a showing that saw him not really called into action much.
Connor Goldson – 5/10
Led the team and often found himself in odd positions trying to help in attack, but he didn’t really help much going forward and he had very little to do defensively so hard to go above just an average performance.
Johnly Yfeko – 6/10
The youngster started the game at left-back with a heavy tackle and ended up shifting into the middle in a back-three such was his performance on the ball. A strong showing from the B team skipper and a bright future to come at Ibrox. An amazing last-ditch tackle in injury time too.
John Lundstram – 5/10
Lundstram came into the team after missing recent games and the difference in the speed of play and quality on the ball was obvious immediately. Too slow and nowhere near as influential as he once was. Rightly not a regular starter anymore based off this showing.
Jose Cifuentes – 6/10
Good energy and kept the ball ticking over throughout, while being strong in the tackle too. A bit more quality in his attacking movements could see him because a huge influence, but for now he’s relying on the more naturally talented to get things going. Encouraging performance though.
Kieran Dowell – 5/10
If Dowell wants to be a regular starter at Ibrox he needs to put his foot on the ball in games like these and dominate them, but he didn’t do that today. Had moments of quality and showed that he’s a good squad option, but needs more to knock on Beale’s door and demand starts.
Rabbi Matondo – 8/10
Quite easily the player of the match for Rangers. Everything he did had intent, he should have scored early on and he was positive all afternoon. His pace is a real weapon for the way Beale wants to play and him sticking around shouldn’t be ruled out beyond the window.
Sam Lammers – 5/10
A quiet performance from the Dutch forward who had some momentary glimpses of his quality, but overall failed to really make an impact against lower league opposition.
Cyriel Dessers – 5/10
Missed a big chance in the first half and had a goal harshly disallowed, but then conceded a penalty early on in the second half with a wild swing of his boot. He scored from the spot to avenge himself but he’s looked sluggish so far and needs to improve quickly to justify his starting spot.
Substitutes
Danilo – 7/10
The Brazilian came off the bench and was sharp on the ball, pressed well and took his goal really well even if it did come a little bit fortunately by squirming under the goalkeeper’s body.
Abdallah Sima- 6/10
His direct running and pace immediately changed the game on it’s head when he came off the bench and helped stretch the opposition defence. Made a big impact and showed why Beale called on him when he needed someone to deliver the goods.
Ianis Hagi – 5/10
Rangers went a bit more direct after the triple sub so he never really got into the game, but he almost found the net with a fine left-footed strike. A good showing.
Kemar Roofe – N/A
Adam Devine – N/A
In other Rangers news, club could drop demands for ace to sell him before deadline.