Todd Cantwell has an Ibrox stinker with 2/10 display, Jack Butland stars with 8/10 – Rangers half-time ratings v Kilmarnock
Rangers went into half-time of their Scottish Premiership clash against Kilmarnock on Tuesday (2 January) leading 2-0 through strikes from Ross McCausland and Abdallah Sima.
Philippe Clement’s side were looking to produce a response at Ibrox on the back of last week’s disappointing 2-1 loss at Celtic.
John Souttar and Kieran Dowell were brought into the side on the back of the Parkhead loss, with Leon Balogun and Dujon Sterling dropping out.
This is how Ibrox News rated the performance of each player in the opening 45 minutes of the contest, using data from Sofascore.
Jack Butland – 8/10
Had a nervy moment when coming for a corner but failing to collect, but he produced a superb save to deny Kyle Vassell from a one-on-one – that is exactly what he is in the side do to. That proved a turning point with the game 0-0 at the time.
James Tavernier – 5/10
A very quiet first half by Tavernier’s standards, with the skipper not really involved in any attacking moves of note. Also not given much to do at the other end.
Connor Goldson – 5/10
Did well to head behind a dangerous ball into the box and also played a sublime pass that Sima almost took advantage of. Also should have had a penalty soon after when grabbed in the box. However, he was at fault for the chance that Vassell failed to convert and miscued a clearance over the bar.
John Souttar – 5/10
Like Goldson, it was a steady first-half performance either side of the huge chance for Vassell. Definitely less involved in a defensive sense than Goldson, as he did not register any clearances or tackles, although that is not necessarily a negative.
Ridvan Yilmaz – 7/10
Played one poor pass in particular that looked easy to pull off, but he also put in a couple of delightful crosses and was heavily involved out wide. Easy to criticise, but if Rangers had a prolific striker he would have had an assist here.
Kieran Dowell – 5/10
Had some promising moments, but also tried doing too much at times. Also lost the ball a few times when there were passing options available. Best moment was a pass into Dessers that his team-mate failed to control.
John Lundstram – 5/10
Tidy enough in possession but did lose the ball in what proved to be Kilmarnock’s best moment of the half, but Goldson defending the danger well. Never shy in terms of getting on the ball, but could perhaps provide a little more creativity from deep.
Ross McCausland – 7/10
On the fringes of the game for large parts of the opening 45 minutes, with only Dessers having fewer touches. Always capable of moments of quality, though, and so it showed with his goal to give Rangers to lead late in the half.
Todd Cantwell – 2/10
Yet another frustrating display from a playmaker who struggles to create. Fired over the crossbar when he had better options either side of him. Frustration was clear to see as he was booked before half-time. In the side for his creativity, but registered no key passes, no crosses and just that one shot that was well off target.
Abdallah Sima – 7/10
Ball got stuck under his feet a couple of times and no Rangers player gave the ball away more times in the first half. However, he is capable of making something happen out of nowhere, as was the case with his delightful strike to double the Gers’ lead. Offers far more than the more central Cantwell.
Cyriel Dessers – 6/10
Clipped the outside of the post with one attempt, but was otherwise a similar story for Dessers as he struggled to make the most of chances, the best of which being a Yilmaz cross that he headed over. While he was unable to trouble the Killie goal, he did produce a great assist for McCausland’s opener.
In other Rangers news, an ex-FIFA official has made a “risky” admission after something he saw in a Gers game.