Ibrox view: New man abysmal 2/10, MOTM incredible 9/10 - Rangers ratings v Malmo

Rangers kicked off their Europa League campaign with an excellent 2-0 win away at Malmo which could have been far more comfortable.

The Light Blues made an incredible start as Nedim Bajrami scored inside a minute, slotting the rebound into an empty net after Cyriel Dessers seized onto a back-pass and hit the post, before Vaclav Cerny wasted a guilt-edged opportunity to double the lead when played through by the Albanian.

This visitors went close on multiple occasions in a strong first half and should have been out of sight, while Dessers missed another great chance late on before Ross McCausland finally netted the second in the 76th minute, pouncing on another loose ball just outside the box before firing low off the near post.

Here, Ibrox News rates the Rangers players out of 10 for their performances in Sweden.

Jack Butland – 6

Spectator for the most part. Almost made a similar mistake to the one Rangers benefited from in his first real involvement but then didn’t have much to do. Booked for time wasting in possibly his biggest contribution.

James Tavernier – 4

Not great. Looked vulnerable in behind to Hugo Bolin runs and generally had his hands full with the winger and actually got weaker defensively as the game went on. As so often he looked a lot better when facing forward than moving back towards his own goal. Halted one major threat immediately after the break with a vital challenge on Anders Christiansen.

Robin Propper – 6

Better. Nothing eye-catching enough to dismiss early disappointment at his performances but the fact his night was relatively uneventful has to be a positive. Gave away a few dangerous fouls after the break but finally looked a bit more commanding under pressure late on. Definitely something to build on.

John Souttar – 7

Largely solid performance at the back in the first 45 but wasn’t put under a huge amount of pressure. When the heat is turned up he can look like he is desperately clinging on but matched the hosts as they threatened more after the half and make a number of important clearing headers.

Neraysho Kasanwirjo makes solid Rangers debut

Neraysho Kasanwirjo – 7

Encouraging Gers debut on the left thanks to Jefte’s suspension as he got forward to link up attacking play and looked solid in the tackle. Not a natural fit at left-back but looked a talented all-round player and was dependable defensively. Should have scored late on when set up by the excellent Bajrami.

Connor Barron – 7

Another high-energy passing display in the first period but faded after the break and bypassed too easily in the middle as the hosts increased the pressure. Managed to play himself back into the game as he dropped deeper with Rangers holding onto the lead.

Mohamed Diomande – 7

Important, battling display. Up and down at times and lost possession on occasion in the first half but ultimately pretty decent. Some nice turns and passes on the ball, plus a couple of key late defensive interventions. Put himself under pressure with a soft early yellow but didn’t let it affect him as he contributed to maintaining a clean sheet after the break.

Nedim Bajrami – 9 (Man of the Match)

Very impressive in a game where he created numerous strong opportunities and put Malmo on the back foot throughout. Perfect way to open his Rangers account when presented with an opportunity he could not miss. Should have had at least three assists as well when he found Cerny with a perfectly-timed through-ball, while Dessers wasted another after the break, and Kasanwirjo even later. Overplayed himself when he should have had a second on one well-worked move but the understanding with Dessers already looks excellent. Arguably got stronger as the game went on.

Cyriel Dessers combines well with Nedim Bajrami in Malmo

Tom Lawrence (off for Raskin ’80) – 5

Too quiet. Played in Dessers on the edge of the box in a dangerous position he couldn’t take advantage of midway through the first half but easy to miss otherwise. Skewed a decent chance way over with a ball played slightly behind him from Cerny inside an hour.

Vaclav Cerny (off for McCausland ’69) – 2

Rough night. Underwhelming first half as he was knocked off the ball too easily and lost possession a number of times, which he then capped off with a terrible wasted opportunity, curling wide when played clean through by Bajrami for a chance he had to take. Not the only one to miss a chance but by far the worst overall performance of those who did.

Cyriel Dessers – 7

The best of Dessers and the worst of Dessers. Strong away striker’s performance in Europe ultimately, which was needed without Hamza Igamane available off the bench but could have been so much more. None of the strongest chances would have happened without his input as he played a key role in plenty of build-up play, but probably should have scored a hat-trick. The opener should have been his after sharp work to steal the loose ball and round the keeper, and overcomplicated on one occasion when well placed on the edge of the box, before a bad miss in the second half. Also had a decent penalty shout ignored when having his shirt wrestled off him and the combination work with Bajrami was a very encouraging sign.

Substitutions

Ross McCausland (on for Cerny ’69) – 8

Ideal impact off the bench. When his teammates were contriving to create and waste chance after chance between them he took it upon himself to make and convert one single-handedly.

Nico Raskin (on for Lawrence ’80) – 6

Late introduction to help tighten up to defend the lead.

Dujon Sterling (on for Bajrami ’84) – 6

Helped to relieve some pressure in his few minutes on the pitch.

In other Rangers news, transfer news has been confirmed already ahead of the January window.

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