Rangers player ratings v Aris Limassol: Abdallah Sima shines while Sam Lammers stinks
Rangers suffered their first Europa League defeat of the season with a 2-1 defeat to Aris Limassol on Thursday 5 October.
Under the management of Steven Davis following Michael Beale’s sacking on Sunday (1 October) the Light Blues fell behind after nine minutes when Alex Moucketou-Moussounda headed past Jack Butland to ensure the Gers players headed into the break to a chorus of boos from the travelling fans.
The lead was doubled in the second half by Shavy Babicka as he tapped home an excellent cross from Leo Bengtsson before Abdallah Sima pulled one back midway through the second half, but it wasn’t to prevent Rangers returning to Ibrox empty-handed.
Ibrox News has rated the players out of 10 below;
Jack Butland – 8
Excellent save in the opening ten minutes to ensure the Gers didn’t fall behind early on. Little he could do for the opener as his defence once again left him exposed as has become the norm in recent weeks. Kept the Light Blues in the match with an absolutely amazing save to deny Aleksandr Kokorin an almost certain goal.
James Tavernier – 5
Seemed to be out of position for the home side’s second goal as Lundstram was left alone on the right flank. Didn’t show his trademark ability to deliver from set-pieces or dead balls that Rangers fans have come to expect. Davis would have hoped his captain would have stepped up, but a forgettable display from the Gers’ skipper.
Connor Goldson – 4
The defender was nowhere near strong enough for Alex Moucketou-Moussounda’s opener as the Aris centre-back easily got away from the defender to head home the opener. The 30-year-old didn’t impose himself in the area for the home team’s second goal as Babicka found plenty of space between Goldson and Davies. Impressed in possession at times but needed to step up his game defensively.
Ben Davies – 4
Couldn’t keep up with Babicka for the home side’s second goal as he looked to want to reach the cross much more than either Goldson or Davies. The former Liverpool man didn’t look comfortable against the Cypriot side’s quick frontline and was repeatedly wasteful in possession. Made another hash of his clearance in the last 20 minutes as he failed to get rid of the ball.
Borna Barisic – 5
Having returned to the fold against Aberdeen, the Crotain was one of many to be sloppy during the first half in Cyprus. The 30-year-old doesn’t pose enough of a threat with his crosses and was only accurate with one of his four attempts in the first half. Wasted an excellent set-piece opportunity late on with an incredibly floaty free-kick.
John Lundstram – 5
Was beaten for pace for the home side’s second goal as Bengtsson skipped by the midfielder before crossing into the box. Made up for his earlier mistake with an excellent ball in for Sima’s second-half header that was one of the few pieces of quality shown by the entirety of Davis’ side.
Nicolas Raskin – 5
The 22-year-old returned after a long time out with injury and looked slightly rusty but was as busy as ever in the middle of the park. Played nine balls into the final third and managed an impressive 11 ball recoveries but only won one of his three attempted tackles. Good to see the Belgian back, but he was nowhere near his best.
Sam Lammers – 2
The Dutchman couldn’t sort out his first touch in the opening stages which sums up his start to life in Glasgow. In a season where most of the Gers’ new signings have been poor, Lammers has often looked the most out of place in Light Blue. Was the spare man for the opener as well and embarrassingly ducked under the ball. Drifted out of the game in the second half before being hooked at 67 minutes – nowhere near good enough.
Scott Wright – 5
Impressed in parts having been a surprising inclusion in the starting XI as the winger always carries a threat with his burst of pace out wide. Fizzed in an excellent cross in first-half injury time that should have been buried by a Rangers forward. Drifted out of the game as it progressed and was removed in the closing minutes.
Abdallah Sima – 7
The best of a bad bunch in the Light Blues’ ranks. Having relentlessly run at the Limassol backline the forward was rewarded for his hard work as he headed home Lundtram’s cross excellently. On a night where most of Davis’ side struggled, the Brighton loanee was by far and away the best player in Light Blue.
Cyriel Dessers – 3
The Nigerian forward looks desperate for a goal but never makes you feel like he’s going to put the ball in the net. Dessers wasted a number of good chances and drifted offside when he looked through on goal. Picked up a ridiculous booking as he complained about an incredibly soft penalty call. He has to do so much more to justify the hefty price tag that the Light Blues spent on him this summer.
Subs:
Kemar Roofe – 6
Entered the frame in place of Lammers after 67 minutes and was busy at the top end of the pitch to very little reward.
Jose Cifuentes – 6
Replaced Raskin after 67 minutes and didn’t have much of an impact on the game in his short cameo as he struggled to get on the ball particularly.
Ross McCausland – N/A
Was introduced in the final minutes in place of Scott Wright.
In other Rangers news, reports suggest that unnamed candidates could yet emerge in the Light Blues hunt for a new manager