Rangers player ratings vs Olympiacos as Barisic falters yet again
The trio of Rangers home pre-season fixtures ended not with a bang, but with a whimper as the side slogged their way to a 3-1 defeat to Greek side Olympiacos.
Having had an intense pre-season on the training ground, as well as two tough games in quick succession against Newcastle and Hamburg, Rangers not only looked leggy, but also disjointed in several areas as it looks as though plenty of work still needs to be done by Michael Beale ahead of the season opener vs Kilmarnock.
With not too many coming out of the game with pass marks, here are the Rangers player ratings from the game against Olympiacos.
Starting 11
Robby McCrorie – 6
Not a lot to do in his 45 minutes showing bar picking the ball out of the net just before half time.
Didn’t show enough to outline that he should be starting ahead of Jack Butland.
James Tavernier – 6
Another expertly taken from the skipper but he struggled to get things going in his usual fashion.
Could have done more to stop the cross that led to the opening goal.
John Souttar – 7
The standout in a defence who really looked vulnerable for the majority of the game.
He did head everything that came his way, especially in the first half, to show how he is the undisputed first choice partner for Connor Goldson at this point.
Ben Davies – 5
Not sure if it’s the fact that he doesn’t enjoy playing next to Barisic but looked less like the player he was on Saturday and more the one we saw towards the end of last season.
Should have cleared the ball just before the first goal but scuffed it. Subbed at half time for the third game in a row.
Borna Barisic – 3
An absolute shocker of a showing.
His night was epitomised by a moment in the first minute where he surged forward only to cut back once he got near the half way line.
Couldn’t stop any crosses and was exposed on several occasions as Olympiacos targeted it all night.
Surely his time at Rangers is up?
Nico Raskin – 6
A fine volley early on proved to be a false start for the side that brought out a smart save from the away keeper, but struggled to impose himself as he did in the previous game.
Still looks to be a pivotal player this season.
Kieran Dowell – 6
Industrious as ever but failed to interject much in terms of an attacking sense on Wednesday.
Looks to have leapfrogged both Jack and Lundstram in the pecking order already though.
Todd Cantwell – 5
Won the penalty in controversial fashion, but doesn’t look as though he’s got himself up to speed in the same way he did last season.
Looks as though he prefers to play further up the pitch so will be up to Beale to get the best out of our star player.
Sam Lammers – 7
Looks as though he will be pivotal players for Rangers this season.
Excellent technical ability for a player his size and was unlucky on two occasions not to get on the scoresheet.
Cyriel Dessers – 5
Still looks a week or two short of the fitness we want him to be as he struggled to impose himself on the game.
Looked isolated at times.
Abdallah Sima – 6
A rough pre-season so far for the on-loan Brighton man but he looks to be getting better the more he plays.
Pace has potential to cause sides issues but just needs to make slight improvements on his end product.
Substitutes
Jon McLaughlin – 5
Johnly Yfeko – 5
John Lundstram – 3
Ridvan Yilmaz – 5
Fashion Sakala – 4
Rabbi Matondo – 5
Bailey Rice – 4
Zac Lovelace – 4