James Tavernier relentless as Todd Cantwell flops – Rangers player ratings v Hearts
Rangers secured their place in the final of the Scottish League Cup with a very impressive victory against Hearts on Sunday (5 November).
The Gers won the semi-final clash 3-1 at Hampden Park, with James Tavernier (two) and Scott Wright grabbing their goals as Lawrence Shankland scored for Hearts.
Philippe Clement’s side will now take on Aberdeen in the final of the competition after their 1-0 win against Hibernian on Saturday (4 November).
Here Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performances from the semi-final encounter against Hearts.
Jack Butland – 8
Butland’s opposite number Zander Clark was undoubtedly the busier of the two goalkeepers at Hampden, but the former showed all of his experience by staying focused when his teammates dominated proceedings, particularly to deny Stephen Kingsley with a superb stop.
James Tavernier – 9 (Man of the Match)
The right-back did what he does best by getting forward as much as possible, with his hard work rewarded as he calmly slotted home a penalty early in the second half before curling in a stunning free-kick. When Rangers need their captain in big moments, Tavernier always delivers.
Connor Goldson – 6
The defender dealt with the threat of the dangerous Lawrence Shankland well for the most part before the latter netted a late penalty.
Leon Balogun – 6
Balogun produced a handful of important moments to stop Hearts in their tracks, including a brave one in the first half for which he needed treatment, having felt pain in his knee.
Borna Barisic – 6
Like Tavernier, Barisic constantly bombed forward in a bid to help out the front line, with more attacking than defending done. He didn’t, however, quite have the same impact that his fellow full-back did.
Ryan Jack – 6
The midfielder did well to keep things ticking over and stop Hearts from breaking, with the Edinburgh outfit certainly not coming out on top in the midfield battle thanks to Jack’s efforts.
John Lundstram – 6
Lundstram was also busy in the middle of the pitch, but was largely limited to simply keeping possession and breaking down breaks as his attackers enjoyed most of the ball, before trying to get on the scoresheet late on.
Todd Cantwell – 4
Tried to be busy in the first half of the match as he looked to be the creative spark for the Gers, but it certainly didn’t work out for the former Norwich City man, who was replaced at half-time by Scott Wright, with Cantwell’s yellow card perhaps playing a part in his withdrawal.
Sam Lammers – 5
Despite Rangers dominating proceedings and having plenty of shots at goal at the national stadium, summer signing Lammers was kept quiet by the Hearts defence.
Abdallah Sima – 7
The tricky attacker was on fire from the very first whistle at Hampden Park, with the Hearts defence struggling to deal with his pace in the final third.
Danilo – 7
The attacker was relatively quiet in the opening 45 minutes, but Clement kept faith with the summer signing, who continued his fine form with a lovely assist for Wright’s goal, as well as winning the penalty which Tavernier dispatched.
Substitutions
Scott Wright (on for Cantwell, 46′) – 8
The winger made an instant impact from the bench as he netted his club’s second goal of the match with a very well-taken strike, with Wright definitely enjoying a new lease of life under Clement.
Tom Lawrence (on for Lammers, 77′) – N/A
Ben Davies (on for Balogun, 77′) – N/A
Cyriel Dessers (on for Danilo, 77′) – N/A
Dujon Sterling (on for Tavernier, 96′) – N/A
In other Rangers news, a journalist has spotted something that could “go a long way” for one “beleaguered” Gers player.