Rangers are through to the Premier Sports Cup quarter finals, but the performance left more questions than answers.
A rotated side eventually saw off League One opponents Alloa at Ibrox, though the 4–2 scoreline only tells part of the story.
Here are the main takeaways:
Mikey Moore’s debut shines a light in a flat first half
All eyes were on 18-year-old Mikey Moore, and the on-loan youngster didn’t disappoint.
Lively from the first whistle, he drove at defenders, created the opener for Nedim Bajrami, and showed flashes of real quality.
Even in a laboured Rangers performance, he was the spark, a debut that suggests he’ll be featuring again soon.
Defensive calamities continue
Rangers’ back line remains a glaring weakness. Alloa’s first goal was a comedy of errors Nasser Djiga charging out and getting caught, Bailey Rice struggling to cover, and finally an own goal at the end of a chaotic passage.
The second was just as bad, with three defenders marking no one as Alloa tapped home from a set piece.
Communication and organisation are badly lacking, and this theme has carried over from Europe into the domestic game.
Bajrami and Rothwell stake their claims
Nedim Bajrami was awarded the stadium’s Man of the Match after a superb curling opener and constant involvement, though many in the stands would’ve handed it to Joe Rothwell, who controlled large spells and delivered the assist for Fernandez’s goal.
Both looked sharper than many of their teammates and may have played themselves into the Brugge reckoning.
Set pieces remain a double-edged sword
Fernandez’s bullet header from Rothwell’s delivery was a rare moment of Rangers turning a dead ball into a weapon.
But the concession of yet another set-piece goal, a free header knocked back across and tapped in, underlined the fragility.
Against higher-level opponents, these lapses will be punished more ruthlessly.
Tavernier still the man for penalties
Even from left-back, the captain stepped up and delivered, his spot-kick clipping in off the post to give Rangers breathing space at 3–1.
It was a reminder of the reliability he still brings, despite his obvious decline.
Igamane and Aasgaard return
Despite the poor performance overall there was a moment for fans to savour as two of the side's most important assets came on to the field as second half substitues.
New signing Thelo Aasgaard made his debut after a pre-season injury, and other than one poor pass early on looked assured and composed.
Last season's star man Hamza Igamane also returned to the side after a rumoured offer from France and fitness issues and while not at his best, reminded the Ibrox support what he can offer with some good dribbling and skills.
Rangers youth development strengthened through lower-League links
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Final Word
Rangers advance, but it was far from convincing.
A lively debut for Mikey Moore, good contributions from Bajrami and Rothwell, and moments of quality in attack were overshadowed by more defensive chaos.
Russell Martin’s side look disjointed and fragile, and with Club Brugge looming on Tuesday, there’s a real fear that a far stronger side will punish these recurring flaws.