Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Blair Meikle

How Rangers players rated as Bialystok draw not enough for Europa League progress

Rangers' Lawrence Shankland and his teammates had a tough night (Image: Andrew Milligan)

Rangers are out of the Europa League after drawing 1-1 with Jagiellonia Bialystok on the night.

With the Poles winning the first leg last week, they go through on aggregate, much to the chagrin of the Ibrox home support who booed loudly at the final whistle.

Here is how the Rangers players rated.

Ivor Pandur - 6

The No.1 was not massively called into action but did make some saves that would be described as competent goalkeeping rather than spectacular. Could do nothing about the goal as he was badly exposed by his defence as Prelec nodded home from point blank range

Dujon Sterling - 5

Rangers were shaky at the back early on but improved for the latter parts of the second half. Sterling was mostly solid, and passed forward fairy well, but then failed to get out to Anders Klynge to stop the midfielder from producing the cross from which Prelec headed home.

Emmanuel Fernandez - 5

When Jesus Imaz struck the post, he was probably offside. But his run, and the pass which found him, were straight through the middle of the defence Fernandez was at the heart of. Made some line-breaking passes forward but, once again, less than convincing defensively and doesn’t seem to do a lot of organising.

Olwethu Makhanya - 6

Another largely encouraging display from the South Africa centre-back - strong defensively both in the air and on the ground, and able to mix it physically. Fine on the ball too. However, he was the one marking Prelec when he scored, and in truth did not get anywhere near to an intervention.

Daisuke Yokota - 6

Rangers’ biggest threat early on as twice in the opening 15 minutes he led multiple visiting defenders a merry dance, the second of those runs leading to a penalty from Yuki Kobayashi's handball. Like Gassama, that died down quite a bit after the break but he did keep plugging away and trying to be a creative spark.


Read more

Shkendija 0-0 Hibernian: Hibs hold on to reach Conference League play-off Alistair Johnston Celtic injury update as timeline laid out


Dan Neil - 6

The Rangers vice-captain recovered from some criticism of his early performances to turn in probably his best display to date. Used the ball well - keeping it simple at times but also progressing it forward well when he could. Popped up in good positions defensively to pick up interceptions too.

Nicolas Raskin - 6

Arguably the best performer from the bench in the first leg last week, the Belgium midfielder was in from the start. Drove the team forward that night and there was one occasion in the first-half here where he did the same, but the shot was wayward. Those moments were few and far between though and Raskin was subbed off after about 65 minutes.

Thelo Aasgaard - 4

Sent a low effort, that would’ve made it 2-0, narrowly wide as the first half petered out. Other than that though, the talented Norway international midfielder was quiet on the night and was removed at half-time, to be replaced by Ross McCrorie as Rangers changed shape.

Djeidi Gassama - 6

Showed similar intent and trickery to Yokota on the other side and won a few fouls early on. Continued to be a threat throughout the first half, although dropped off a little in the second. Not as productive defensively, which is not necessarily a criticism as that’s not his game. After his influence waned, was replaced by Findlay Curtis for the closing stages.

Ryan Naderi - 5

The big striker was not really in the game a lot. To be fair though, he did offer a physical presence which had its uses at times. Also managed to get a few shots off from in around the box, none of which were particularly threatening. Unlucky to be the one penalised when it looked like Kobayashi hauled him down while trying to run clear. Replaced by fellow striker Bojan Miovski.

Lawrence Shankland - 6

Scored his first ever Rangers goal by showing his usual nerves of steel from the penalty spot. A frustrating night otherwise. Did drop off to link the play at times but very little would come off from him in the final third, fans showing their exasperation on at least two occasions where he had the ball nicked from him. Another game where the captain’s overall performance will be questioned, but so will the service provided to him.

Substitutes

Ross McCrorie - 5

Lined up at left-back as Rangers changed from their starting 3-5-2 to a 4-4-2 for the second half. Applied himself well and was pretty productive, including setting Shankland up for a half-chance at the edge of the box.

Vanja Dragojevic - 3

Not a great cameo - loose in possession and booked for dissent.

Cammy Devlin - 4

Couldn’t really get the team going from the centre of the pitch.

Findlay Curtis - 4

Once again looked like he could make something happen in his short stint on the pitch, including one really good cross from which Miovski headed off target.

Bojan Miovski - 3

On for the final 15 minute plus stoppage time, and unable to provide the spark.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.