George Overhill

Sun 3 December 2023 16:55, UK

Abdallah Sima’s finishing delivered a comfortable three points for Rangers with a 2-0 win over St Mirren to get back to winning ways under Philippe Clement.

The Light Blues had the better of the action in the first half but struggled to turn it on until moments before the half when solid work from Cyriel Dessers and Todd Cantwell allowed Abdallah Sima to smash the home side ahead from inside the area.

Under-pressure Cantwell then unlocked the visiting defence again midway through the second half to spring Sima who expertly dispatched his second low into the corner as a tame game never looked like getting out of control.

Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performances at Ibrox.

Jack Butland – 7

Alert when called upon after long periods as a spectator. Excellent full-stretch save in the first half and another one to keep a shot from distance out soon after the half. Kept his defence largely on their toes in a game where they could easily have switched off.

James Tavernier – 6

Fine but nothing more. Looked sharp offensively off the right flank from the opening exchanges as he combined well with McCausland. Not tested too much defensively and able to get forward frequently in a game which largely played to his strengths but would probably have hoped to produced a greater impact.

Leon Balogun – 6

Made a couple of important early interventions and looks the most reassuring of the Rangers centre-backs currently. Chased back to put in a vital sliding challenge early when he looked to have been left behind and made some important clearances with the scores still level.

Connor Goldson – 4

Not bad for the most part in a game where he wasn’t put under a great deal of pressure but picked up a sloppy booking for a foul soon after Rangers scored their second and looked clumsy at the back whenever he was run at directly. Nobody was awful on a fairly pedestrian afternoon but he was arguably the sloppiest.

Borna Barisic (off for Yilmaz ’80) – 6

Took advantage of plenty of space on the left to swing in regular balls off the flank as he was utilised frequently but didn’t do a huge amount with the regular possession and not especially tested towards his own goal.

John Lundstram – 7

Decent game. Regular out ball as he dictated possession in the centre early on but sloppy pass forced Butland into a great save before the break. More peripheral as the game wore on but cut out St Mirren passes neatly a few times.

Tom Lawrence – 6

Solid if unspectacular performance as he calmly mopped up possession near his own box well in a deeper role. Grew into the action increasingly and was tidy on the ball without making a truly telling contribution.

Todd Cantwell (off for Lammers ’85) – 7

Slow start but improved throughout. Miskicked an inviting knock down from Tavernier in the first half as he looked unsettled after his high profile substitution in midweek but important role in the opener even if Sima took it off his toe to score. Noticeably grew in confidence as the game wore on and his assist for Sima’s second was a welcome reminder of his quality even if he was still short of his best.

Abdallah Sima – 9 (Man of the Match)

Did exactly what was required to prove the difference in a relatively tame game. Went close with a couple of efforts off the left early as he attacked balls in from the opposite wing and smashed his side ahead just before the break. Wonderful finish to double the lead from Cantwell’s through ball. Doesn’t bear thinking about where Rangers’ season would be without his goals.

Ross McCausland (off for Matondo ’80) – 8

It may be early days but it is difficult to see how he drops out of the Rangers starting XI currently. Always easy to go overboard on a young talent who looks positive but he was the brightest spark in the side. Tricky on the right and provided the crucial width everyone expected as a natural winger to look as likely as anyone to create the key opening early. Inventive throughout in a way that this side is so often crying out for. Would have been man of the match without Sima’s goals.

Cyriel Dessers (off for Danilo ’62) – 6

Okay but still nowhere near the output that was expected upon arrival. Good early chance from a corner came off his shoulder to betray his lack of confidence and looked a yard off the pace on a couple of other balls through from teammates, but good work in the build up for the opener. Gradually became more comfortable and provided some decent link-up play even if there wasn’t much of a goal threat in a game which seemed perfect for him to boost his confidence.

Substitutions

Danilo (on for Dessers ’62) – 6

Seems to have lost some of the momentum he had been building up. Decent movement and link play but fired straight at the keeper with his one clear opportunity.

Rabbi Matondo (on for McCausland ’80) – 6

Some valuable minutes after injury but didn’t have much chance to do anything with them.

Ridvan Yilmaz (on for Barisic ’80) – 6

No time to catch the eye.

Sam Lammers (on for Cantwell ’85) – 5

Did get a close-range chance despite coming on late but skewed it well wide as his struggles in attack continued.

Dujon Sterling (on for Tavernier ’85) – 6

In other Rangers news, Clement “definitely” has a list of six players he wants to get rid of at Ibrox already.