2/10 Borna Barisic stinks out Pittodrie in Scottish Premiership draw – Rangers player ratings v Aberdeen
Rangers limped to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie as they failed to make the most of an opportunity which could have seen them cut the gap to Celtic to just six points.
Bojan Miovski gave the hosts the lead with a route-one goal as the ball was smashed forward, flicked on by Ester Sokler, and slammed home by the North Macedonian striker.
The Rangers defence were all over the place in the first half, while a more assured second-half performance saw the attacking players frustrated by the deep block of the Dons as they failed to create anything clear-cut until a late penalty enabled James Tavernier to rescue a point.
Ibrox News has rated the Rangers players out of ten…
Jack Butland – 6
There wasn’t much he could do about the opening goal, with the strike into the corner just too fast and accurate, but he made some important stops to keep the scoreline tight as his teammates tried to get back into the game. A typically assured performance, but not a perfect one.
James Tavernier – 6
Struggled to make an impact going forward and was wayward with a number of his crosses into the box. Wasn’t relied upon in defence as Aberdeen focused their play on the central strikers, so Tavernier wasn’t involved anywhere near as much as usual.
Typically, though, a late penalty saw the captain rescue a point for his side as he so often has in his cool and composed style from the spot.
Connor Goldson – 4
It was a performance much unlike his recent composed displays from Goldson. He rushed into challenges, got drawn out of position and struggled to keep up with the pace as balls were spun in behind him. He was threatened by one in behind early on and failed to follow his man again when Aberdeen took the lead.
Won the penalty to draw his side level as he was pulled back in the box in what was a respite for his poor display.
Leon Balogun – 5
A better display than that of his teammate, but he still looked shaky and lacked the pace to keep up with the runs in behind from the Aberdeen strikers, particularly in the first half.
Won 100% of his ground duels and the majority of his aerial duels in an imposing display but couldn’t keep up with runs in behind. His header crashed out off the bar was the closest Gers came to an equaliser. [Sofascore]
Borna Barisic – 2
Much like his full-back partner, Barisic wasn’t heavily involved in the defensive side of the game as Aberdeen focused their play down the middle, but his overlapping runs also failed to cause much of a threat and his crossing was wayward once again in a performance that typified his season so far.
Of his nine attempted crosses, the Croatian failed to find his man with any of them and completed just one of nine attempted long balls, paired with a 64% overall pass accuracy showing his shocking display in possession. [Sofascore]
Jose Cifuentes – 6
The standout Rangers player on the day, he was excellent at breaking up play in the middle and keeping things ticking for Rangers. While he won’t be pulling up any trees, it was an expert performance and if his teammates had stepped up around him he would receive much more praise for the work he put in.
John Lundstram – 6
A similarly impressive performance to his midfield partner, he did very well breaking up the play in midfield but relied on his teammates to make things happen going forward which simply didn’t happen. Once again not a flashy display, but an important one for Clement.
Tom Lawrence – 6
A similarly frustrating performance to the rest of the attacking players in blue, Lawrence struggled to impact the game other than a sliced shot that looped out off the bar before being dragged off after 77 minutes.
It was, however, a better performance than some of his teammates, with two big chances created, five dribble attempts and a 50% duel success rate, but to no avail. [Sofascore]
Todd Cantwell – 5
One of the brighter sparks on the ball for Rangers, his threat with the ball at his feet was clear again as he drew several fouls and looked to advance the Ibrox side’s play, but his cutting edge was not there and he failed to create anything of note for his striker despite four key passes before being taken off after 77 minutes.
Abdallah Sima – 4
His pace was a threat as always when he was able to turn his man and run down the wing, but Aberdeen’s low block left him suffocated without the ability to make runs in behind and receive the ball through on goal. His quality will always make him threatening but without tangible results today.
Was subbed off after 70 minutes having won just ten of his 24 attempted duels, losing possession 18 times and giving three fouls away in a frustrating display. [Sofascore]
Danilo – 4
Absolutely starved of chances for the entire game as, despite some good movement to get on the ball, the defence and chances simply wouldn’t open up for him. Hit the target with the shots he did get off, but missed one big chance and won just two of nine duels. Lost possession 12 times trying to make something happen but to no avail.
Subs
Rabbi Matondo – 5
Ross McCausland – 5
Sam Lammers – 4
In other Rangers news, Gary Keown mocks Celtic chiefs after Rangers jibes.