Antonio Colak opened his Rangers goal account but the Light Blues went down to a Tottenham side led by lethal Three Lions star Harry Kane. The new Ibrox hitman gave his side a first half lead in an enthralling friendly clash in Glasgow.
But Kane delivered a deadly second half double to turn it around and seal the win for the English Premier League big guns. Gers suffered their first defeat in pre-season – but there was plenty of optimism for fans as they enjoyed a proper test against the kind of top class side they are hoping to meet in the Champions League.
The league season is creeping closer so Van Bronckhorst rolled out a strong starting line up – which included starts for new recruits Rabbi Matonda, Tom Lawrence, John Souttar and Colak. Malik Tillman also took his Ibrox bow from the bench with the clash coming too soon for £4m arrival Ben Davies.
Spurs boss Antonio Conte didn’t muck about either with big guns such as Kane and Son Heung-min starting up front. The English outfit clearly meant business in an entertaining clash. The visitors made a bright start and borrowed Juventus ace Dejan Kulusevski was denied by Allan McGregor’s big toe.
But it was Rangers who got to grips with their opponents – and then grabbed the lead after 23 minutes. Matondo made the difference with a burst of pace to beat his man down the flank, his low cross was helped on its way by James Tavernier and Colak pounced to tuck it away.
Tom Lawrence fired over soon after but the goal stung Spurs, and it took some trademark stops from McGregor to keep them at bay. Pierre-Emile Højbjerg duffed wide after a Son break while Kulusevski was again halted by McGregor tipping over the top.
The keeper was at it again to keep out Kane before the break and Ryan Sessegnon after it, and while Gers look sharp on the attack, Spurs were definitely putting them through their paces at the back. Inevitably Kane found his mark.
McGregor could have had glove rival Jon McLoughlin alongside him and the pair of them wouldn’t have stopped the leveller though. It was textbook Kane as he held off Connor Goldson and edged in to the box before whipping a right foot dig in to the top corner.
His second was another lethal finish. The Gers backline were a tad ragged and the England captain found the space to nick in and find the bottom bin. John Lundstram and James Sands came close to levellers but it was a more than decent work out against a right good side.
Kane and Son received applause from Gers fans when they departed late on but Ibrox fans are feeling confident they will be saluting their own side this season.
3 talking points
Strength in depth
Rangers may have lost big names Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo but the squad certainly doesn’t look any weaker. In fact, if anything Gio van Bronckhorst has added layers of quality to this group. A squad is always as good as the guys who are on the bench or in the stands and look at who wasn’t there.
Alfredo Morelos and Kemar Roofe are still to come back from injury, but there’s also Ben Davies waiting to get his chance. The £4m signing from Liverpool looks a perfect replacement for Bassey either at left back or left centre back, and another left back is on the way in Ridvan Yilmaz.
Borna Barisic’s future might be uncertain – and he was a bit ropey against admittedly top class opposition in Spurs – but Gers look to have a lot in reserve.
Lethal weapons
Rangers look potent. Very potent. And now they have a top of options. For too long, the Light Blues have relied on moments of magic from Alfredo Morelos or Ryan Kent, or needed James Tavernier’s trusty right boot.
Teams who managed to halt those three caused some problems last term and there were key games when killer goals wouldn’t come. But now Rangers look to have different angles of attack. Rabbi Matondo pace is going to freak out defences, Antonio Colak has a poacher’s instinct and Tom Lawrence has the ability to drop deep and dictate, or burst in to the box ahead of the front men.
Mailk Tillman still has to come in – along with Morelos coming back – and this Gers team looks set to score a barrel load of goals this season.
Rolling back the years
Not many would have expected to see Allan McGregor again after his Scottish Cup Final late cameo. But the 40-year-old didn’t look like a man on his last legs against Tottenham.
McGregor has made a career out of making big saves at big times, making tough stops look easy, and he was at it again when Spurs piled on the pressure at Ibrox. The keeper’s reactions are still as sharp as ever, whether it’s throwing out a leg at the last minute or stick up a glove to divert a goal bound drive.
There’s a lot of talk over who will be handed the no.1 shirt this season with Jon McLaughlin showing he’s more than capable of being the main man. But it would be foolish to think McGregor is ready to step aside.
