Rangers: BBC pundit stunned by what ‘absolutely perfect’ Ridvan Yilmaz did in loss to Benfica
Steven Thompson was stunned by the “absolutely perfect” cross Ridvan Yilmaz put into the box as Rangers chased an equaliser against Benfica.
Reacting live on the BBC Sportsound coverage of the 1-0 defeat at Ibrox (14 March) the former Gers forward was wowed by the ball in from the Turkish left-back, which Kemar Roofe was unable to get on the end of before a limp shot from John Lundstram with the home side flagging late on.
Ex-Light Blues midfielder Stuart McCall admitted the crossing had been of a high quality on the night, but bemoaned the lack of a striker who could convert them, pointing to his colleague as one who could.
Thompson said (7.31pm): “The first ball in from Yilmaz is absolutely perfect. Roofe just can’t get to it. It breaks Lundstram on the edge of the box and he did not catch it.”
McCall replied: “If only for a Mark Hateley or a Steven Thompson. Honestly some fantastic balls have gone in tonight, just nobody there on the end of it to attack the ball.”
Kemar Roofe and Cyriel Dessers draw blank in frustrating Rangers defeat at Ibrox
It was one of the exit-linked Yilmaz’s quieter recent games in the Rangers line-up, with James Tavernier more of an all-action presence on the right.
He did swing in some inviting balls from the left but left a lot of space in behind down his flank, and against an embattled Benfica side set up to sit deep and counterattack the box was crowded to get on the end of crosses.
Cyriel Dessers chose a bad night to have one of his more frustrating games, although nobody truly looked like scoring despite a surprisingly outstanding attacking display from Scott Wright.
Poor conditions hardly helped a side that has fought valiantly on multiple fronts despite losing players to injury on a regular basis.
But on another night where Rangers were arguably the better side anyway they shot themselves in the foot by repeatedly pushing everyone up high at corners and being caught on the break, with Rafa Silva’s winner coming on the third or fourth such instance.
It wasn’t a terrible showing by any means but it does feel like a missed opportunity, so Philippe Clement will have to ensure it doesn’t derail momentum in the title race or the cup as he aims for a treble rather than a quadruple.
In other Rangers news, clubs will now “be coming for” a key man in the Light Blues line up says a former Ibrox ace.
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