Rangers got back to winning ways on Sunday with a 2-0 win at Motherwell, a team who were supposed to be a much better footballing side, but looked more like a group of thugs who were up for a scrap in Edinburgh the previous night (if you know, you know). It was a really professional performance from The Gers, who stuck to the task, scored two good goals, and managed the game well after a sending off which felt very unjust.
Allan McGregor – 7
His first clean sheet in a few games and although he was mainly quiet on the day, he did pull off a superb close range save at a crucial point of the match. It’s so typically Allan McGregor to pop up with a moment like that to remind us how important he is to our side.
James Tavernier – 8
The best defensive display we have seen from him for a while, does well to help prevent an early deficit, and remained disciplined through out. Going forward he was his usual threat, and his use of the ball felt a lot better.
Connor Goldson – 7
An assured display at the back, never looked overly rattled and in the main it was a fairly easy day for him. Passing was not too bad from him either.
Nikola Katic – 8
The determination from him to boost in and win that header to give us the lead us the epitome of how desperate he is to win a permanent place in this side. As has been said before, he would attempt to win any aerial challenge for the sake of the team. This determination may go too far at times however, as he seemed over eager to run into challenges he would have been better off just shepherding, but we have to remember he is still developing.
Borna Barisic – 8
Another assist for the Croatian international, was a quality delivery which his countryman converted. Like Tav, he was assured at the back and did not shy away from challenges, and he put in a number of dangerous deliveries as well.
Scott Arfield – 7
As each game goes by, Arfield looks more and more comfortable in the middle, given the specific task of running toward goal from deeper, everything is working a lot more for him now. This is the Arf from last season, and given that we seem to have found our solution to the right wing position, it’s great to see more consistent displays from Scott.
Ryan Jack – 8
I do not have the stats to hand, but I am sure that Jack won a hell of a lot of balls back for us in this game. He kept his game simple, passing to the right man each time, and being in a deeper position means he isn’t making as big an impact in the attack, but a lot of moves begin with this kind of distribution.
Glen Kamara – 6
One thing that we need to see from Kamara is him develop into a more box to box midfielder, which is a role Ryan Jack performs so well when he is more on the right of the midfield three. He can do this in the bigger games (Porto away comes to mind as an excellent display) but he just seems to stroll through these kind of games, not in a good way. Not a terrible game from him but I want more from Glen.
Joe Aribo – 8 – Man of the Match
This was a really classy display from a player who has absolutely secured himself a first team place now. Uses the ball really well and finds himself in excellent space often. He sets up the second goal with a great pass into the middle, and his confidence looks back as he is being asked to do things he is natural at, as opposed to a mix of roles when he was playing in the middle.
Alfredo Morelos – 8
This was a prime example of never giving up. Morelos had a number of shots at goal, which were either hit in the wrong way for the type of chance it was or was prevented by a very good display from the Motherwell goalkeeper, but it was 6th time lucky Alfie as he takes a shot on the edge of the box which finds the back of the net, and the relief from him seemed palpable. His frustration at not scoring did cause him to get booked prior to this, and his celebration after scoring resulted in a second yellow. The rules were applied here, no question, however the double standards in this country regarding him getting booked for this yet a number of other players who play for another side not being treated the same is what annoys Rangers fans.
Ryan Kent – 6
Things are still not really falling the way of Ryan Kent at the moment. He is just unlucky I guess, there is no attitude issue for these kind of game from him. I would say that this was a bit better than the last couple of game however, and I’m sure it will be a matter of time before he is back to his former and better self.
Matt Polster – 6
A rare appearance for a cult hero amongst the support, mainly down to his choice in partner, but was brought on to help close out an already dying game.
Jermain Defoe – 6
A quick chance to run out on the pitch before he will be needed a lot more for the game on Friday.
Greg Stewart – 6
Seems rather unfair that this is the game and this is the time you bring Stewart back into the side after his last sub appearance.
