Ally McCoist wowed by ‘brilliant’ John Lundstram in ‘exceptional’ play for Rangers despite draw with Aris Limassol
Ally McCoist was delighted by John Lundstram’s “brilliant” defensive intervention early on in the 1-1 draw with Aris Limassol at Ibrox.
The former Light Blues striker reacted live on the TNT Sports match coverage (30 November) to laud the midfielder for doing “exceptionally well” in halting Leo Bengtsson’s foray into the home penalty area in the 20th minute.
The Swede had cut in from the left and made for Jack Butland’s goal with far too much ease in a sloppy opening half from the Gers, but Lundstram dispossessed him in a dangerous area where conceding a penalty was a distinct risk to impress McCoist in the commentary box.
McCoist said (8.20pm): “That’s brilliant from Lundstram. It’s too easy to get through there and Lundstram does exceptionally well.”
He added soon after: “He does exceptionally well, stands his ground and sticks out his left foot, thankfully from Rangers point of view.”
“It’s a tricky one,” said commentator Rory Hamilton. “There’s no room for error there. It’s very easy to dangle the leg out and Bengtsson to go over it”.
“Absolutely not,” replied McCoist.
Silver lining
There wasn’t a huge amount to shout about for Rangers in the first 45 minutes at Ibrox, or at all in the end, as their attacking play was disjointed and they went behind inside half an hour.
Shavy Babicka took advantage of Todd Cantwell being dispossessed to run away from John Souttar and Ben Davies in the 28th minute, rounding Butland to score.
But the set back could have been earlier if Lundstram hadn’t intervened on Bengtsson, with the midfielder one of very few Gers men to look even close to up for what was a crucial European night.
He also went the closest to scoring at the other end before the break with a rasping long-range attempt, as arguably the stand-out from the opening 45 minutes, where most were well below par and Philippe Clement substituted Cantwell before the break.
Ross McCausland’s introduction at that point was only really rectifying the mistake the manager had made in leaving him out of the starting XI for Sam LAmmers, and the youngster bolstered that case with his first Rangers goal to equalise after the half.
The 20-year-old’s performance was ultimately the main positive from another frustrating performance against the supposed weakest side in the group, as Clement appeared to get his team selection wrong and a number of players repaid him with dismal showings.
In other Rangers news, Michael Stewart claims the Light Blues can’t win the title but says they have a “much bigger statement” to make.