Ibrox View: 2/10 awful & needs to go, 8/10 MOTM crucial - Rangers player ratings vs Hearts

Rangers played out a competitive goalless draw in the Scottish Premiership opener at Hearts to drop points first time out.

Yan Dhanda hit the bar amid early pressure from the home side as the Gers defence was as suspect as ever but few clear chances saw the first half finish goalless.

Oscar Cortes was hit but another injury blow and Cyriel Dessers hit both the bar and post with a header soon after the break, but neither side could ultimately find the breakthrough as Jack Butland made some key stops.

Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performances at Tynecastle.

Jack Butland – 8 – Man of the Match

More of the same as he kept his side in it behind a weak back line. Important early save from a Lawrence Shankland blast from outside the box and an even better one soon after from James Penrice. Another crucial stop from the Ibrox-linked Hearts captain late on to preserve a point.

James Tavernier – 4

Won’t have done anything to change the minds of those who believe he needs to move on before the deadline. Suspect positioning defensively as he allowed Hearts attackers in down his flank with too much ease but some important interventions when closer to his own goal. So close to miscuing into his own net late on. Some decent crosses in the second half.

Ben Davies (off for Balogun ’60) – 2

Depressingly familiar scenes as the Davies-Souttar partnership looked disorganised and uncertain. Bullied physically by Kenneth Vargas to make the decision to start him over Leon Balogun look a mistake. Robin Propper can’t be introduced fast enough for Rangers and the former Liverpool man surely needs a move away.

John Souttar – 5

Booed throughout as a former Jambo the defender was clumsy under pressure in the first half. Looked slightly better in the second but anything but reassuring to prove the back line is a concern.

Ridvan Yilmaz – 6

Game of two halves. Busy but muscled off the ball too easily and gave away possession repeatedly through a poor first period. Much-improved after the break as he put in a far less erratic display and defended well.

Ben Davies shows Robin Propper needed for Rangers

Connor Barron (off for Dowell ’83) – 6

Definitely some encouraging signs in an industrial Rangers debut, and went close in the first half with a hard, low shot from distance. Loads of energy and put himself about but escaped a nervy penalty claim for handball and arguably played past too easily so will still need to improve.

Mohamed Diomande – 5

Not his best game after an impressive preseason. Lovely floated ball for Dessers’ chance in the first half as he looked decent in possession but struggled defensively when Hearts advanced through the midfield. Soft booking.

Scott Wright (off for Cerny ’60) – 6

Standard Scott Wright sort of affair. Not appalling but never looked like being the difference. Grew into the game after a quiet opening but lacked the final ball and then replaced.

Tom Lawrence – 7

Got better as the game went on. Energetic pressing but very little to show for it during the first 45 in a big Todd Cantwell-shaped hole at number 10. Much more impactful after the half as he swung a beauty of a cross into the box from out on the left which nearly brought the opener via Dessers, and fired an excellent dipping volley which was tipped over.

Oscar Cortes injury hell continues at Tynecastle

Oscar Cortes (off for Matondo ’49) – 7

Nightmare deja vu for the Colombian and his manager. Very sharp start to dispel fears from the preseason as he largely picked up where he left off before injury last season. But it was soon more of the same in a tough battle against Gerald Taylor as he fell awkwardly just before the half and barely lasted a a minute after the break before he had to be replaced.

Cyriel Dessers – 7

Endlessly compared to opposite number Shankland he wasn’t decisively overshadowed. Showed excellent movement and skill to help fashion chances but lacked the finishing touches when he might arguably have scored a hat-trick. Could hardly have gone closer as his header was deflected onto the bar and post after the break.

Substitutions

Rabbi Matondo (on for Cortes ’49) – 7

Quick and direct after his introduction to display exactly what Clement surely wants from him regularly. Couldn’t find the telling contribution but worthy of a start over Wright next time out.

Leon Balogun (on for Davies ’60) – 4

Surprising he didn’t start yet chaotic when he came on. Seemed to spark an improvement from Souttar but risked conceding a penalty himself when he went to ground and failed to halt Shankland, then fell over to collide with Butland and nearly gift Hearts an opportunity.

Vaclav Cerny (on for Wright ’60) – 6

Quick feet on the ball and looks like he could be important when up to full speed but hardly a decisive introduction on debut.

Kieran Dowell (on for Barron ’83) – 5

Still waiting for his Rangers career to really get going.

In other Rangers news, Clement could still end up sacked despite his surprise contract extension at Ibrox.

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The post Ibrox View: 2/10 awful & needs to go, 8/10 MOTM crucial - Rangers player ratings vs Hearts appeared first on Ibrox News.