Philippe Clement's Rangers took another positive step towards qualification for the knockout rounds of the Europa League with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Olympiacos tonight.
Here's how the players rated...
Jack Butland 7
As solid a night as it was for Rangers at the back, the goalkeeper had very little to do. There were no saves of note anyway. Although, he could do absolutely nothing about the first goal for the hosts. What a finish that was.
Dujon Sterling 6
Given the nod ahead of the skipper James Tavernier. It wasn’t the most unexpected move by Philippe Clement, given he spoke of the challenge facing the defender in the coming weeks. His touch to set the ball into Cerny’s path the lead-up to Dessers’ big first half chance was lovely.
John Souttar 6
Badly caught out with Olympiacos’ goal. The clipped ball into the left side of the box saw the Scotland international lose goalscorer El Kaabi with all the space he could’ve wanted inside the box. The frontman punished the positional mistake with a thunderous finish into the top corner.
Robin Propper 7
Maybe he should come under a bit of criticism for not going to win the header which then led to the Olympiacos goal. All in all, a relatively solid showing from the Dutchman.
Jefte 7
Not the most productive night from the youngster, but a marked improvement from his performance against Motherwell on Sunday.
Nicolas Raskin 9
The Belgian is making the holding midfield space in the team his own. He’s been excellent during some of Rangers’ most recent games, and it’s hard to describe his performance tonight as anything different. He hounded his Olympiacos counterparts all night long. He snapped in on challenges throughout the 90 minutes. The only time Gelson Martins managed to get away from him, he fired way over the bar. Another great showing my Raskin, who is proving his worth. Was booked in the dying seconds for a foul you’d describe as ‘taking one for the team’.
Connor Barron 8
The Scotland international nipped in brilliantly to win the ball back for his side on the half-way line in the build-up to Rangers’ equaliser. The 22-year-old has endured an up-and-down start to life at Ibrox since his summer move from Aberdeen. Slowly but surely though, he’s improving, quietly going about his business, which should excite the Rangers fans.
Mohamed Diomande 7
Played his part in what was a good team performance by Clement’s side. Usually played as the most advanced midfielder of the trio.
Vaclav Cerny 8
Set Dessers on his way to scoring. There are a few players in this Rangers team this could be said about, but the Czech winger in particular appears to really suit playing in European competition. He was an easy pick for man of the match last time out against Steaua Bucharest. While he didn’t reach those heights here, he was impressive and should’ve had more than one assist to his name.
Nedim Barjrami 7
Showed great strength at points when going forward on a couple of occasions – something we haven’t necessarily seen from the Albanian. Notably had a speculative effort easily saved after he cut in from the left wing onto his right foot on 74 minutes.
Cyriel Dessers 8
Missed two golden chances during the first half that the striker really ought to have done better with. It seems it was another case of could’ve, should’ve, didn’t. In typical Dessers fashion though, he made everyone eat their words with some sublime centre-forward play to equalise shortly after the hosts went ahead. The dummy to evade the defender who desperately lunged in, followed up by the prolific finish was top-notch. Didn’t quite have the pace to get away from Rodinei after a through-ball by Barron.
Subs:
Neraysho Kasanwirjo (for Sterling, 52’) 5
Settled in well at right-back, and was interestingly brought in ahead of Tavernier.
Hamza Igamane (for Dessers, 84’) 3
Needlessly picked up a booking for preventing a quick free kick.
James Tavernier (for Bajrami, 84’) 3
Came on at right wing.
Ross McCausland (for Cerny, 84’) 3
Buzzed about with his fresh legs.
