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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Rangers player ratings v Ajax as Light Blues go down in infamy but one shining light emerges

Rangers' European campaign for this season came to a sobering end against Ajax in a 3-1 loss.

The Light Blues were looking to make sure they didn't mark their Champions League return with six straight losses but those Group A hopes faded before half-time when Steven Berghuis and Mohammed Kudus struck for the visitors.

Fashion Sakala could have headed a goal into the net for the home side but returning defender Calvin Bassey headed off the line. In truth it could have been more than two at the break for Ajax and that was not news a side who were seeking to not go one worse than Dinamo Zagreb in 2011 and become the competition's worst side wanted to here. But James Tavernier's late penalty being cancelled out by a Chico Conceicao strike ensures they are now down infamy. Here is how we rated the Rangers players in Govan.

READ MORE: Celtic hero Scott Brown not interested in wind-ups with Joey Barton ahead of dugout reunion

Allan McGregor - 6

Couldn't do anything about either first half goal and made a couple of stops to keep the scoring down. Thankless task.

James Tavernier - 5

Exposed again on the European stage. Offered next to no attacking threat and schoolboy stuff to allow Ajax in behind for the first goal. Got a penalty which in the end mattered little.

James Sands - 5

Struggled to get a foot in against a tough forward line. Seemed to get beat for pace on a couple of occasions.

Leon King - 4

The biggest learning curve yet for the teenage defender. Jumped out the way of the first goal and deflected the second into his own net. Fortunate not to gift another goal with a loose pass. A few good blocks but learned there's no moment for slackness on this stage.

Borna Barisic - 5

Seemed comfortable enough going forward to try and create chances but that control left him when trying to play in his own half. Not the worse player here by any means.

Steven Davis - 4

A rookie error from the elder statesman of this team allowed Berghuis get in position to score. 37 now and looked to struggle with the intensity Ajax play at.

Scott Arfield - 6

Plenty of effort and endeavour from the midfielder. Put himself into tackles and wasn't afraid to show for the ball in tight areas.

Malik Tillman - 7

Work-rate is the big critique lobbed at Tillman but that can't be said tonight. Got up and down the pitch more than most and made a good lunging tackle in his own box. Other bits of dirty work completed too.

Fashion Sakala- 6

Their positive man in attack. Used his pace when he could and was the closest to scoring, while he drew fouls from the opposition.

Ryan Kent- 5

A bit better from the winger. At least looked like he wanted to take his man on, but the end product was much the same as recent weeks, very little.

Antonio Colak - 4

Not a good night for the Croatian. Hooked after an hour where he looked slow and couldn't impact the play in any form.

Alfredo Morelos - 3

Came on for the above but his impact was much the same, albeit he showed a bit of passion and fight that was lacking. Then missed a sitter after good work.

Glen Kamara - 3

Made his return from injury but that's all that can be said for his contribution

Scott Wright - 3

Another of his manager's triple subs on the hour-mark. But faded out the match as quick as he entered it.

Rabbi Matondo - 5

Fantastic introduction off the bench, using his pace to win a penalty. Showed the qualities he has but too little too late.

Alex Lowry - 3

A welcome return from injury for the academy product. Got the chance to get some Champions League minutes which will be good for the CV, albeit he'd hoped it'd be in better circumstances.

READ NEXT:

- Rangers duo Colak and Barisic joined by Celtic's Juranovic in provisional Croatia World Cup squad

- Rangers and Celtic penalty calls put under Ref Watch microscope as Dermot Gallagher delivers verdict

- Celtic hero Scott Brown not interested in wind-ups with Joey Barton ahead of dugout reunion

- Rangers star Malik Tillman earns Dimitar Berbatov comparison as BBC pundit opens up on playing style

- Kris Commons in Rangers 'pack of cards' claim as he labels Aberdeen triumph a 'really big victory'

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