Rangers secured a wonderful 3-1 win over Premier League side and Europa League semi-finalists West Ham on Tuesday evening at Ibrox thanks to a superb second-half display – and here are our player ratings:
Jon McLaughlin – 7
Had very little to do in the first half, but was composed when in possession. Unlucky not to keep a clean sheet, as Tomas Soucek managed to bundle the ball home from a set-piece on 70 minutes.
James Tavernier – 8
With Rangers dominating possession, Tavernier had little do do defensively but as ever – got up quickly down the right flank to join the attack. Couple of dangerous deliveries into Colak, and appeared at the back post for crosses from left.
Connor Goldson – 7
Comfortable as ever. Chest out at the back, the Rangers mainstay – fresh from signing a four-year deal – looked more than adept at dealing with Michail Antonio. Excellent in possession and a couple of trademark balls to Ryan Kent.
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John Souttar – 8 (45, replaced by Sands)
Superb start from Souttar. Rock solid at the back but also excellent at feeding the Rangers midfielders. Clattered Antonio near the dugouts with a strong but fair challenge in the air. Can mix no-nonsense with modern-day defender.
Borna Barisic – 7 (75, replaced by Devine)
Linked up well when going down the left flank with Kent, who was excellent. The Croatian’s crossing was somewhat underhit every time he did get into a crossing position – but that will come with more minutes. Decent display.
Ryan Jack – 8 (45, replaced by Lawrence)
Some lovely passes and positions taking up from the Scotland international. Both long, and short-range passing. Dictated the tempo of play from the base of the Gers midfield. A positive for Rangers to see him so sharp.
John Lundstram – 8
Decent effort from Lundstram, who was as ever, comfortable in possession. Lovely turn after a risky pass from McLaughlin in second half inside his own penalty area. Continues to improve in a Rangers shirt.
Scott Wright – 4 (45, replaced by Matondo)
Rangers dominated but it was largely down to the dominance of possession, and the brilliance of Kent down the left. Wright was a bit of a bystander, and when he did get possession, often took the safe option, passing backwards.
Glen Kamara – 6 (75, replaced by McCann)
Playing slightly more advanced than Jack and Lundstram, the Finland international took up some lovely positions in space despite the presence of Rice in midfield. But Kamara struggled to capitalise. Something he can learn.
Ryan Kent – 9 (75, replaced by Arfield)
A constant threat. While West Ham’s Ben Johnson was decent at right-back, Kent was easily his side’s biggest threat – as he so often is. Constantly taking players on, linking up well with Barisic and then getting his goal in the second 45.
Antonio Colak – 6 (60, replaced by Sakala)
The new striker battled hard but ultimately, Colak did not have much of an impact on the game. Almost got in in the first half, but for a brilliant tackle from Nayef Aguerd – resulting in an injury. Given the right ammo, he will score goals.
Other notable performances:
Tom Lawrence – 10 (45)
Wow. What a way to make your entrance. Latching on to Matondo’s pull back, 28-year-old lashed home the opener moments after coming on. Then, got an assist for Kent for the second, and his touch saw Matondo score a third. Superb.
Rabbi Matondo – 9 (45)
Much like his Wales teammate, what a start for Matondo. He got the better of Cresswell to tee up Lawrence for the opener – before lashing his first goal past Fabianski at the near post. Superb start from the speed machine.
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