Ibrox view: 3/10 star rubbish, 9/10 MOTM wows - Rangers player ratings v Motherwell

Rangers recorded their first win of the season with a tight 2-1 win over Motherwell at Hampden Park in a game which started excellently and went gradually down hill.

Cyriel Dessers capitalised on a blistering Gers start to open the scoring in the 13th minute to flick home a Mohamed Diomande knock-down, but Motherwell were quickly level via a Robin Propper owl-goal as he jabbed a deflected cross past Jack Butland.

Vaclav Cerny scored a fantastic first goal for the club to regain the lead midway through the half in a much-improved team attacking performance.

The Light Blues faded massively after the break and risked throwing away the lead as far too many players put in unremarkable performances and none of the substitutes were any good, but held on for the win.

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

Jack Butland – 7

Rebounded from a rough start to show his importance. Far from his best Light Blues game for much of the match as he was largely uninvolved outside of conceding an own-goal. Unwelcome shades of the Tavernier own goal against Celtic last term as he reacted slowly to the touch off Propper. Caught by surprise but might have done better. Came up with a huge save from Zach Robinson to preserve the one-goal advantage late on.

James Tavernier – 5

Pretty good in attack, pretty poor in defence. Left acres of space on the left for the cross to be fired in for the equaliser. Found Cerny with an important pass to assist the Czech’s strike and went close with multiple dangerous free kicks. Will need to improve if he is staying for another year.

John Souttar – 5

Okay, nothing better. Improved showing from the uncertain draw at Hearts with some nice raking passes forward and didn’t make any glaring errors.

Robin Propper has dramatic full Rangers debut

Robin Propper (off for Balogun ’73) – 5

Overexcited on debut as his performance swung wildly between good and bad. Dominating start as he asserted his authority with a crunching tackle after 10 minutes. Saw his fortunes quickly reversed as his touch poked a cross from the right into his own net. Crashed into another challenge early in the second half that got him booked. Some positive signs but not immediately clear he can command this defence as he let the ball bounce in the box near hi too often.

Ridvan Yilmaz – 4

Another inconsistent display as exit links refuse to go away [Krampon Sports, 9 August]. Decent outlet going forward and played a role in the opener but looked shaky in defence.

Connor Barron – 6

Full of energy again and always seems to be close to the play, but his partnership with Diomande still looked like one that could be passed through with relative simplicity. Hard to blame either for that individually when it feels like a tactical weakness to leave them in too much space.

Mohamed Diomande (off for Dowell ’82) – 6

Pros and cons again. Decent assist to nod down for Dessers to score in another solid performance on the ball. Looks very good when he has time to pick a pass but can be overrun when out of possession.

Vaclav Cerny outstanding in first start for Philippe Clement

Scott Wright (off for Matondo ’73) – 5

Started well then reverted to the norm. A surprise third-straight start after two anonymous displays but in fairness to him he began with a lot more purpose. Had one chance cleared off the line and a goal disallowed after the ball had gone out of play. Disappeared following the early flourish.

Tom Lawrence (off for Sterling ’56) – 7

A decent performance overall but still hard to escape the view that Rangers would be better served with Sterling to sure up the midfield, even if the ex-Chelsea man disappointed when he came on. Energetic and dynamic in the opening as he contributed to some strong attacking moves, but could have done better in advanced positions later in the game and looks just short of the necessary quality too often.

Vaclav Cerny (off for McCausland ’56) – 9 – Man of the Match

Instrumental. Easily the outstanding performer despite lasting less than an hour. Produced a wonderful defence-splitting pass to play Wright in for what looked destined to be the opener amid an excellent start, then bent in a beautiful first goal from the edge of the box to demonstrate his quality. Signs of a good understanding with Tavernier down the right in attack already. Big shoes to fill if he is to replace Abdallah Sima but has started well towards that.

Cyriel Dessers – 7

Good start as he took an early chance to open the scoring. Had one shot cleared off the line then flicked his second of the season in with the outside of his boot. Faded from prominence more and more as the game went on. Fired harmlessly over the bar with his best chance after the break.

Substitutions

Dujon Sterling (on for Lawrence ’56) – 3

Hugely disappointing introduction. Surprise for the star man to start on the bench again but he didn’t prove the decision wrong when he came on. Headed over when unmarked from a corner to waste a chance which should have secured the result midway through the second half and didn’t provide any of the security in midfield his established quality would have been expected to. Harsh rating perhaps but this side needs someone like him to grab it by the scruff of the neck.

Ross McCausland (on for Cerny ’56) – 4

Briefly added the energy that would have been expected of him but heavy touches meant he struggled for fluency.

Leon Balogun (on for Propper ’73) – 4

Strong in the air but poor otherwise. Has definitely not proven to be the dependable veteran presence he is supposed to be in the Scottish Premiership so far.

Rabbi Matondo (on for Wright ’73) – 4

Didn’t make a massive difference to anything.

Kieran Dowell (on for Diomande ’82) – 3

Easy to miss that he had come on at all.

In other Rangers news, the Light Blues face taking a massive loss if they sell a big-money ace.

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