James Murray

Wed 30 August 2023 22:02, UK

A shambolic second-half performance from Rangers led to them falling to a crushing defeat against PSV in the second leg of their Champions League qualifier.

The Gers will now play in the Europa League this season after suffering a 7-3 loss on aggregate following a 5-1 humbling in Eindhoven on Wednesday (30 August).

A James Tavernier goal wasn’t enough for the Light Blues, as an Ismael Saibari double was complemented by strikes from Luuk de Jong and Joey Veerman, with Connor Goldson scoring a disastrous own goal.

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

Jack Butland – 5

Butland made a number of smart saves as his defence allowed the PSV forwards too much time and space all night. The keeper had no chance with Saibari’s header, which made it 1-0, having made an excellent stop to deny the attacking midfielder just a few minutes previous to that. He was let down again for the other four goals following poor performances from his defenders in front of him. It would have been a lot more if it wasn’t for the stopper – he certainly didn’t deserve to concede five.

James Tavernier – 3

The Gers captain didn’t have a great start to the game and that set the tone for his side’s night defensively. He played a hospital ball into Nico Raskin just 10 minutes into the contest that led to Joey Veerman getting a shot away at goal, with Butland saving well. He didn’t cover himself in much glory for the opener, as his man got in behind him too easily before being afforded plenty of time and space to pick out a pinpoint cross for Saibari to head home. The Englishman was no where to be seen again for the second either, as he let Noa Lang go at the back post before he pulled the ball across goal for a tap in. He did well to arrive at the back post to give his side a lifeline, but he made a silly foul just a minute later that led to the third goal. Had to lead the Light Blues better.

Connor Goldson – 2

Goldson made a couple of good blocks and imposed himself on Luuk de Jong in the first half by not allowing the Dutch forward to win too much in the air. He played a superb ball over the top to Cyriel Dessers that led to the forward getting a shot away at goal. But the defender was part of a shocking defensive performance in the second half and his own goal was nothing short of embarrassing. He simply can’t be making mistakes of that magnitude on this stage.

John Souttar – 3

The centre-back should have done better for the opener. While Saibari wasn’t his man, the ball was played into an area where Souttar should have been on hand to clear anything away from danger. The defender did well to get out quickly and deny Veerman in the opening stages of the second half. But he should’ve done better for the second, as Saibari got a run on him and was allowed to tap the ball home from a couple of yards out.

Borna Barisic – 4 (Off for Sterling ’50)

The Croatian allowed far too much space to Johan Bakayoko in the first half. While the Belgian is highly regarded and is no doubt a danger, the left-back probably afforded him too much respect, with the tricky winger flashing a shot wide on the stroke of half-time. He was forced off the field on 50 minutes through injury.

Nicolas Raskin – 3 (Off for Hammers ’60)

Raskin didn’t get off to the best start and should have been in the book just two minutes into the game following a cynical foul just inside the PSV half. The midfielder then lost the ball on 10 minutes, leading to Veerman getting a shot away at goal. He then let Saibari get a run on him as he headed home the opening goal. He was hauled off not long into the second half after a miserable night for the Belgian.

John Lundstram – 3

The midfielder struggled to really justify his selection in the middle of the park. Lundstram was pulled all over the place and didn’t do a great job of shielding the defence, with attacking midfielder Saibari largely running the show. He made a sloppy clearance at the start of the second half, which led to Veerman getting a shot away at goal. He was well off the pace all night when his side needed more from him.

Jose Cifuentes – 3

Cifuentes was pretty poor and didn’t offer Tavernier much support on the right-hand side of midfield. He let his man go on a number of occasions and didn’t really offer much from an attacking perspective. The Ecuadorian will be hoping there are better nights ahead for him for the Light Blues.

Todd Cantwell – 3

Cantwell will be a little bit disappointing with his night’s work, but it largely isn’t his fault as he spent most of the game tracking back rather than looking to make things happen. With Dessers struggling to hold the ball up, there wasn’t much he could do in an attacking sense up until he was replaced by Danilo. He played a lovely ball over the top for Sam Lammers to set up the Gers’ goal.

Rabbi Matondo – 4 (Off for Jack ’85)

The winger was largely ineffectual throughout much of the second leg after scoring his first Rangers goal against the Dutch side last week. He had an opportunity in behind in the first half, but he was easily shrugged off the ball and then he had a shot blocked earlier on in the second half after he showed great pace. The forward showed a superb piece of skill to beat a couple of men on 75 minutes before seeing a curled effort agonisingly hit the outside of the post.

Cyriel Dessers – 3 (Off for Danilo ’60)

The forward wasn’t great while he was on the pitch. Although Dessers didn’t get too much support, he didn’t hold the ball up very well to bring his side up the pitch and his fellow attackers into play. He missed a good chance when he went through on goal in the first half.

Subs:

Dujon Sterling – 4 (On for Barisic ’50)

It was an extremely tough game for the fullback to come into, especially when he was playing out of position. He struggled to deal with Bakayoko and should’ve done better for the fourth.

Sam Lammers – 4 (On for Raskin ’60)

The forward looked bright going forward after he came on as he looked to pick pockets in front of the PSV defence and played an excellent ball across to Tavernier for the Gers’ goal. He let De Jong get ahead of him to head home just a minute later, though, so he will be disappointed by that.

Danilo – 3 (On for Dessers ’60)

It’s hard to really pinpoint what the Brazilian did after coming on. It wasn’t a great game for him to come into, but he offered very little for his side.

Ryan Jack – N/A (On for Matondo ’85)

In other Rangers news, Beale has freed up wages to bring in a new signing as the transfer deadline approaches.