Jefte stinker as MOTM gets 7/10 – Rangers player ratings v Athletic Bilbao
Rangers have dropped out of the Europa League after falling to defeat against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
The Gers travelled to San Mames Barria on 17 April but were unlucky as they fell to a 2-0 defeat on the night against the LaLiga outfit.
An Oihan Sanchet penalty and a bullet header from Nico Williams proved to be the difference as Barry Ferguson’s side dealt with multiple injury issues and poor refereeing decisions.
Regardless of this, the Light Blues put a shift in and arguably deserved more against Bilbao, but it just wasn’t to be in the end.
On a frustrating night for the Govan club, Ibrox News rates the players out of 10.
Rangers player ratings v Athletic Bilbao
Liam Kelly – 5
There was little wrong with Kelly on the night as he faced just two shots, conceding one in a generally quiet night for the 29-year-old.
Ridvan Yilmaz – 5
It is so unfortunate for the Turkyie international that he was forced off after just 23 minutes, as things could have been so different with him on the pitch.
James Tavernier – 6
Considering the Gers’ captain was playing out of position as a centre back against Bilbao, he was superb for the most part and will be disappointed to be on the losing side.
John Souttar – 4
This game is likely to haunt Souttar for many years to come after giving away a penalty for such a needless foul on Maroan Sannadi in the first half, in a moment which went on to seal the Light Blues’ fate.
Leon Balogun – 5
Another man who was so unfortunate to be forced off is Balogun. He picked up an injury doing what he does best, putting his body on the line, and was certainly missed.
Jefte – 3
The European inexperience of the Brazilian shone through against Athletic Club as Jefte continued to be caught out throughout the clash. The 21-year-old was far from good enough and caused more problems than he solved.
Rangers struggled in forward areas v Atheltic Bilbao
Nico Raskin – 6
The 24-year-old was a useful operator in the heart of midfield as he helped out defensively while also being on the half-turn consistently in the centre of the pitch.
Mohamed Diomande – 5
The Ivorian was asked to play in multiple different roles throughout the clash, but never truly had much of an impact in any of them on a quiet night in all.
Ianis Hagi – 4
For someone with the quality of Hagi, he had to do more to prove to Ferguson why he deserved to remain on the field. He couldn’t do that before being hooked at half time, summing up his showing in Spain.
| Stat | Ianis Hagi v Athletic Bilbao |
| Touches | 31 |
| Accurate passes | 11 |
| Chances created | 0 |
| Duel win rate (%) | 50 |
Vaclav Cerny – 5
The Czechia international did look dangerous at times, but besides one second-half effort from range, the 27-year-old failed to have enough of an impact as he would expect.
Cyriel Dessers – 5
It is fair to say that Dessers should have been awarded a penalty in the first half for a shirt pull from Daniel Vivian. This wasn’t given, and the Nigerian never truly bounced back from that decision throughout the half as he cut a frustrated figure.
Substitutes
Connor Barron – 6
Clinton Nsiala – 5
Hamza Igamane – 5