Rangers were comfortable winners as they dispatched of Steaua Bucharest in their latest Europa League tie.
Here's how the players rated in their 4-0 win over the Romanians...
Jack Butland 7
Certainly looked to get away with one with a supposed foul subsequently ruling out an early opener for the visitors. A major let off for him and the team as a whole. At the end of the day, though, it’s another clean sheet for him.
James Tavernier 7
Rightly booked after 23 minutes for catching the Steaua goalkeeper late in a 50-50 challenge. Was in a great position to at least get a shot on target from about 20 yards out, but fired over. Went for power over placement, when the opposite seemed the better option. Produced a great defensive header to stop a potential Steaua goal.
Leon Balogun 7
Came across to the left well with a sliding tackle to halt what could’ve been a dangerous counter by the visitors. A solid display.
John Souttar 7
Impressively burst up the right wing a couple of times. Once he steps out with the ball and gets that long stride going, he looks tough to stop. Much better than he was against Killie.
Jefte 7
Excelled when sweeping up the ball in the left-back area in one notable situation during the first half. Initially, he broke up the field at pace, but slowly but surely grinded to a halt, before being easily dispossessed despite the loud shouts from the crowd. Showed much quicker reactions to take the ball of the toe of a Steaua player with a clear shot at goal from close-range just after the break.
Connor Barron 8
Always eager to nip in to steal the ball, at first, the Scotland Under-21 international was a tad off the pace when battling with his midfield counterparts. He soon got to grips with the pace of the game, though, and appeared much more assured when tackling, breaking up play by winning the ball back constantly and also when looking to break forward. Worked well with Raskin as a midfield double-act. A really productive night for Barron.
Nicolas Raskin 7
Handed a start in favour of Diomande – who, like many, was anonymous at Rugby Park on Sunday. Began the match in lively fashion, whipping in a decent ball for Cerny moments after the midfielder’s shot from distance was easily saved. Perhaps his Rangers career was summed up by giving away the ball with a horrific pass in his own half, only to recover later on, just hanging on to some credit for recovering the situation. Enjoyed his night.
Vaclav Cerny 9
Looked at it from the start. Was very keen to get the home faithful onside in the early minutes, as he geed them up after successfully blocking a channel ball from the Steaua defence. Did well to coolly pick out the cutback for Lawrence to score the opener. His finish to double Rangers’ lead was fantastic. The Czech winger beautifully curled the ball into the corner on his right foot. His second was just as good, as he finished off a lovely team move by cutting in on his left and finishing at ease from close range. His best game in a Rangers shirt. The loanee was full of confidence and undoubtedly was man of the match.
Tom Lawrence 8
His fifth goal of the season came before the 10-minute mark in this one. It wasn’t the cleanest strike, with the ball hitting off his left foot after hitting it on his right on its way in. He’s been Rangers’ best player so far this season, and with tough fixtures on the horizon, the Wales international will need to maintain his form. His movement was sharp, and he produced some wonderful, creative flicks on the ball. Forced off with a knock after sustaining a nasty dunt to his calf.
Nedim Bajrami 6
The Albania international had a decent enough match, but again, didn’t overly stand out. Some nice flicks of the ball. Still building his way into his Rangers career.
Cyriel Dessers 5
Caught on his heels on more than a few occasions, much to the audible frustration of the crowd. A poor night’s work for the frontman, who had just nine touches of the ball in the first half in which there was plenty of Rangers attacks. Walked straight down the tunnel when brought off not long after taking a finger to his eye.
Subs:
Mohamed Diomande (for Lawrence, 46’) 6
Played an excellent first-time pass through to Cerny to run onto, way in the clear of any Steaua defenders. The timing and weight off the pass had to be spot on, and it was.
Hamza Igamane (for Dessers, 56’) 7
The Moroccan brilliantly broke his duck for Rangers. A couple of neat step-overs before finishing into the far corner.
Robin Propper (for Balogun, 67’) 4
On as Balogun was taken off as a precaution.
Zak Lovelace (for Bajrami, 73’) 3
Met with a warm reception after so long on the sidelines through injury.
Neraysho Kasanwirjo (for Cerny, 73’) 3
Filled in at right-back, as Tavernier pushed up-field.
