Anthony Onifade

Thu 21 September 2023 22:02, UK

Rangers got their Europa League campaign off to the best possible start as they secured a much-needed 1-0 win over Real Betis at Ibrox on Thursday.

After some intense pressure for Beale, the Gers have now recorded two wins from two after a very assured and consummate showing in front of their own fans against the Spanish La Liga side.

Rangers bagged the elusive winner when Abdallah Sima poked home after a goal-mouth scramble in the 67th minute to ensure the Gers kicked off their Europa League Group C adventure with the three points.

Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performance against Real Betis.

Jack Butland – 9/10

Quietly and confidently going about his business in the Rangers goal and instantly becoming a fan-favourite with some assured and consummate performances which makes you wonder how many years he’d lost on the treatment table after his superb emergence on the scene all those years ago.

A terrific and incredibly talented goalkeeper always comes up trumps with some crucial saves and he did so again against Betis to keep his team in it. There’s a reason why he was one of the first Rangers transfers this summer, the foundation of what Beale is trying to build at Ibrox.

Whether the Rangers manager is successful or not, remains to be seen but Butland is a certainty to be Rangers’ number one for years to come. Some crucial and exceptional saves.

James Tavernier – 6/10

Given a very tough runaround by the impressive, tricky and incredibly direct Betis forward Abde Ezzalzouli, so much so that the Ibrox veteran was dribbled past three times in the first half [SofaScore].

Rarely faces such calibre a winger in the Scottish Premiership until he faces Celtic around four times a season so really has to get used to it this time around if Rangers aim to go far in this competition. Abde gave him such a tough game that the Ibrox faithful rarely saw him in the final third.

Connor Goldson – 8/10

An assured and dominant presence yet again in the Rangers backline and the Ibrox veteran can simply do no wrong right now as he yet again proves a crucial commodity for Beale in another decisive and much-crucial win for the former QPR manager and his team. So good aerially, excellent positionally and led his Rangers backline incredibly well as they recorded an impressive clean sheet against an established European side.

Whatever success Rangers achieve this season, Goldson will be at the centre of it.

Ben Davies – 7/10

Got to be Goldson’s undisputed defensive partner now with another superb and dominant showing in the Rangers defence, following in from his superb performance against St Johnstone at the weekend. Ran the show at the heart of the defence alongside Goldson, winning 100% of his ground duels, three of his five aerial duels and once again an impressive outlet in possession.

Borna Barisic – 7/10

A fairly quiet half on the attacking front for the Croatian defender but definitely proved his worth in defence with an assured showing alongside his experienced teammates, contributing to a much-needed clean sheet and win.

John Lundstram – 7/10

The calm head in Rangers’ midfield and John Lundstram has once again come up trumps when the Gers needed him most. Kept things ticking as he always does in the midfield and led the line at the base in front of the defence helping to keep an invaluable clean sheet. Like Goldson, he’ll be crucial to any success Rangers have this season.

Jose Cifuentes – 6/10

A terrific performance at the heart of the Rangers midfield alongside Lundstram and one which will provide him a huge confidence boost for the next phase of his new Ibrox career. Against an established European side, Cifuentes showed his quality and a showing which he will certainly build on moving forward.

Tom Lawrence – 6/10

Was nowhere to be seen for much of their first-half until he sprang to life with some silky passes and touches as Rangers ended the half strongly.

In Todd Cantwell’s unfortunate absence, this is Lawrence’s time to shine post-injury and it’s probably too early to say he’s grabbing the opportunity with both hands but he needs to be a consistent and regular threat in the final third if he is to possibly usurp Cantwell when the former Norwich man returns to full fitness.

Taken off injured halfway through the second half which will be yet another concern on the injury front for Beale.

Rabbi Matondo – 6/10

When he starts for Rangers, things usually happen and that was certainly the case in the first half against the Spanish side and Matondo could have easily had two goals to his name but for some erratic finishing especially his most glaring one when he raced through on goal after a terrific Kemar Roofe pass but could shoot straight at the goalkeeper.

Had he been much calmer, composed and decisive in that situation, he could have bagged a much-deserved opener for the Gers. Possesses tremendous pace, trickery, acceleration and dribbling qualities but his effectiveness in the final third still remains a problem for Beale to solve. Electric bu still very wasteful.

Abdallah Sima – 7/10

Sima is certainly growing in a Rangers shirt and looks a bright spark every time he takes to the field for Beale since his move. Delivered a sensational cross for Sima in the second half while proving the injection of pace and electricity Rangers needed in the wide areas.

Scored the timely Rangers opener after a goalmouth scramble which capped up a very good performance on the night.

Has now scored three in a Rangers shirt but in fits and spurts but you feel he could hit some run of form very soon.

Kemar Roofe – 7/10

Could well have registered one of the best assists of the first round of Europa League fixtures after his sublime outside-of-the-boot through pass for Matondo, but the Rangers winger squirmed the opportunity. Held the ball up well for the Gers and was always a welcome outlet in possession when they needed an out-ball, just needs that elusive goal again.

A tremendous finisher on his day but Beale’s shy attack are yet to offer him the clear-cut chances he needs to score. Could have grabbed his goal but for a tremendous Claudio Bravo point-blank save in the lead-up to the Rangers winner.

Substitutes

Sam Lammers (on for Tom Lawrence ’61) – 5

Ryan Jack (on Jose Cifuentes 80′) – N/A

Cyriel Dessers (on for Kemar Roofe ’88) – N/A

Dujon Sterling (on for Abdallah Sima 88′) – N/A

In other Rangers news, Nicolas Raskin has broken his silence following his injury ahead of the Europa League campaign