Rangers player ratings from the Champions League play-off first leg at Ibrox.
Jack Butland: Spilled an early shot he should have held but the keeper didn't let it phase him. Was confident and assured for the rest of the game and has added aggression in claiming cross balls - something Rangers have lacked for years. No chance for the goals. 7
James Tavernier: Yellow carded after 35 minutes. Had a tough shift against Lang and Dest who are lightning-quick and always threatening. Was caught out numerous times. A brilliant volley at the back post was saved superbly to deny him a 20th European goal. 6
Borna Barisic: The Croat had a hard shift but stood tall and did little wrong. For all his detractors, he's had a decent start to the season. 7
Connor Goldson: Marshalled his defence well under pressure. Made a brilliant defensive header after Tavernier was caught in no man's land that covered for his captain. Was in top form throughout and had no blame in either goal. 7
John Souttar: Not a natural left centre-back but looks very comfortable next to Goldson. Some excellent last-gasp defending on show. Was beaten to the ball by Luuk De Jong for PSV's second. Booked for a nothing clash. 7
Ryan Jack: Did his usual shift in front of the back four. Made countless interceptions and tackles while always using the ball well. Substituted as his energy subsided. 6
Jose Cifuentes: The Ecuadorian worked his backside off and his power is a major addition to the Ibrox club's midfield. Had to do a lot of dirty work on the right side to cover for Tavernier's forays and tucked into it gratefully. 7
Nico Raskin: Always looked to get on the ball and move it quickly but was overrun at times by the superb PSV midfield of Sangare and Veerman. Not his best night but still produced some nice moments. 7
Abdallah Sima: Still looks a bit off the pace and kept giving the ball away. Was the name on everybody's lips on social media before he clamped them with an unbelievable shot into the top corner right before half-time. It was a world-class moment. Didn't offer much in the second half and was subbed off after 66 minutes. 6
Todd Cantwell: Looked the one Rangers player in the first half with the quality to fit into PSV's starting XI. Took the ball in tight situations and used it brilliantly. Faded in the second 45 and was lucky to stay on the field when he flirted with a second booking. Did brilliantly to free Dessers in the lead-up to the second goal. 7
Cyriel Dessers: Started strongly, putting himself about a fair bit. Was a handful for the PSV defenders. Presses like a demon but still to show decisive quality when it counts in front of goal. At the very least, he's looking much sharper and fitter now. Outstanding pass for Matondo's goal. 6
Substitutes
John Lundstram: On for Ryan Jack to add some energy to proceedings and did so. 4
Rabbi Matondo: Brought on in a like-for-like swap with Sima. Was extremely positive from the get-go, running at PSV every chance he got. Blasted a wonderful low shot into the corner after being put through one on one with the keeper. 8
Danilo: Brought on for Dessers with ten minutes left. Missed a good chance to win the match. 2
Kieran Dowell: A late substitute, on for Cifuentes. 3
Sam Lammers: On for Cantwell in the dying embers. A brilliant touch nearly brought a goal. Was very positive in a short period. 3
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel