George Overhill

Thu 5 October 2023 20:15, UK

Steven Davis’ first game in temporary charge of Rangers ended in another dismal result as Aris Limassol won 2-1 in Cyprus to surely speed up the process of replacing him on a permanent basis.

The 1-0 win over Real Betis in the first Europa League game of the campaign was one of the better nights in the final weeks of Michael Beale’s reign as manager, but with the former boss sacked for one too many poor performances there was another one on show after his departure.

Sloppy defending and slack work in midfield saw goals from Alex Moucketou-Moussounda and Shavy Babicka put the home side two up before Abdallah Sima pulled one back, but there was no real threat of an equaliser before the final whistle.

Many would have thought it couldn’t get much worse after the increasing slog that was the Beale era, but they were sadly mistaken as Rangers followed up the home loss to Aberdeen by handing Aris Limassol their first ever group stage win.

Here are three things learned from a painful experience for the Light Blues in Europe on Thursday (5 October).

New manager bounce AWOL for Davis as new name closes in

The Northern Irishman wouldn’t have expected to be thrust into the manager’s role when the board turned to him after Beale’s sacking, who would surely have been hoping for some sort of response from the players.

There was nothing of the sort in Cyprus as Rangers were comfortably second best against a side they would expect to beat on paper.

Davis, 38, is surely not in genuine contention to get the job on anything other than a short-term basis, but with the Light Blues possibly worse in this game than they even were in some recent games under Beale it heightens the need for a new name to come in.

The board have indicated they were willing to take as long as necessary to settle on the right option, but if Davis, Alex Rae and company aren’t even able to inspire a lift in attitude and desire then more damage will be done to the season the longer the temporary arrangement is in place.

There was already pressure to make the correct appointment, but it has surely ramped up severely after this game.

Frank Lampard appears to have emerged as the prime candidate to get the job, even if he comes with serious questions himself, but whether it be the former Chelsea man, Kevin Muscat, or another, this result will have only started a fire under the board with the team’s form looking critical.

Goldson now a big problem too

During the extensive overhaul this summer Goldson was one of the very few players whose position in the side was considered secure, with much of the focus on who was suitable to partner him at the back.

John Souttar and Ben Davies have had fitness issues and committed poor errors in too many games, but their senior teammate can’t escape criticism.

It was Goldson who was lagging behind Moucketou-Moussounda in the ninth minute when the defender powered a header past Jack Butland to consign Rangers to more misery early on, and the defensive unit look disorganised throughout.

Former Bear Kevin Thomson reacted to the goal live on TNT Sport coverage, as per the BBC Sport live-blog, to highlight the lack of “leaders” in the box and single out Goldson as the one to be “disappointed”, while only Jack Butland prevented further disarray at the back being punished in the second half.

The 30-year-old may still be the best defender in the Gers squad, but unfortunately that is increasingly more of a negative statement about the alternatives rather than an especially positive one about him.

Sima silver lining as Dessers, Lammers shrink

Even before the on-loan Brighton man pulled a goal back with a nice header into the bottom corner he was arguably the only man in a red shirt on the night showing any real urgency to drag the Light Blues back into the game.

His final ball still lacked accuracy at times and he gave away a few fouls, but he far outshined his fellow attacking signings Cyriel Dessers and Sam Lammers who followed up a disappointing first period with an anonymous second.

Sima will need far more help from his teammates for it to make any major difference to the club’s current form but he displayed the sort of intent that Davis would have been hoping to see from everyone, as 22-year-old Senegalese sprinted after loose balls and chased down opposing defenders.

He got his reward with the goal, and had one or two other Rangers players followed suit then perhaps the visitors could have stolen a result, although admittedly an undeserved one.

Sima didn’t have to be a world-beater to get something on the board but some movement and dynamism, and the ability to occasionally get in behind, stood out amongst a very pedestrian overall Gers performance.

The outfield signings this season have been a major let down so far, but there at least some signs that the loanee could change that.

In other Rangers news, the club have been told to go after a young manager who has already brought about a huge turn in fortunes at his current side.