NIKOLA KATIC AND CONNOR GOLDSON GOOD IN AIR, BUT STRUGGLE WITH MOVEMENT
The partnership between Goldson and Katic looked rock-solid here for an hour as Midtjylland played to type and bombarded the Rangers box with high balls and set-pieces.
That sort of approach is meat and drink to Rangers’ hulking centre-backs, and they lapped it up with minimal fuss.
It was only when the home side changed tack and started to play the ball on the deck that the pairing started to fray a little, with the movement of Sory Kaba in particular causing them all sorts of problems.
With George Edmundson and Filip Helander waiting in the wings, Steven Gerrard may still have food for thought when considering his first-choice defensive partnership, and may perm any two from four depending on the approach of the opposition.
JORDAN JONES SHOWED WHAT HE CAN OFFER RANGERS
Inconsistency almost comes with the territory with wingers, and Jones has been challenged by his manager to produce on a more regular basis now that he has made the step up from Kilmarnock to Rangers.
READ MORE: Steven Gerrard confirms Rangers deal for Brandon Barker after Europa League victory over Midtjylland
It remains to be seen whether he can do that, but on this evidence, there is absolutely no doubt that he can be a potent weapon for Rangers this season.
The Northern Irishman was almost unplayable at times, causing all sorts of havoc with his pace and his ability to carry the ball.
There were two runs in particular that were tiring to even watch, and the second of those lung-busters ended with a goal being laid on for Joe Aribo. This could be the night he arrived as a Rangers player.
STEVEN GERRARD MAY HAVE FOUND MIDFIELD BLEND
The Ibrox manager has an embarrassment of riches in the centre of the park, but here he plumped for a three of Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and Joe Aribo, and they complemented each other well.
Neither Jack nor Kamara were flashy, but Jack in particular was brilliantly effective, dictating the tempo of the game and setting Rangers on their way to countless attacks.
Aribo was the one to go forward and catch the eye, linking up with Scott Arfield, Alfredo Morelos and devastatingly with Jordan Jones on the break to bag Rangers’ second goal.
With the likes of Steven Davis, Sheyi Ojo and Greg Docherty waiting in the wings, whoever gets the nod to start knows they need to perform, and they did that here.
JAMES TAVERNIER IS WORTH HIS WEIGHT IN GOALS TO RANGERS
The Rangers captain may not be one who shouts and balls and grabs his teammates by the neck, but he leads by example in the way he carries the game to the opposition, and he has the quality to back it up when he gets up the park.
READ MORE: Joe Aribo savours Rangers' European triumph after thrilling win in Denmark
His cross for Rangers’ opening goal showcased all of that, as he curled an outrageous ball onto the head of Morelos to nod home.
Is now defending more soundly than he is often given credit for, and his contribution at the other end makes him almost priceless for Steven Gerrard. He will hope the board agrees should a big-money offer materialise at any point.
THERE’S MORE TO ALFREDO MORELOS THAN GOALS
There would have been a fair bit of relief on Steven Gerrard’s part when the English transfer deadline came and went with his star striker still in place.
Of course, you can always bank on him for goals, and it was no surprise to see him popping up with the opening goal here, but he showed that there is much more to his game than just being a poacher.
As well as running the channels and leading the line expertly, he laid on the third and fourth goals for teammates, and he looks to be happy to still be in a Rangers top for the timebeing at least.
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