Rangers season player ratings as John Lundstram begins to show Premier League class

The Light Blues were unbeaten domestically in the month of September with the only points dropped at home to Motherwell, however, in Europe, they’ve set themselves a mountain to climb after back-to-back defeats to Lyon and Sparta Prague in their Europa League group.

Here at the Rangers Review, we’ve been grading the players' performances in each of their 16 matches played so far.

We've discounted late substitute appearances where scores of three and four were recorded to give a true reflection of how the players have been performing.  We've also included each player's Premiership radar to give you a visual demonstration of how they are performing in the league.

Here’s how the players stack up:

Allan McGregor (6.4 average rating) Games played – 8

The 39-year-old stopper has shared the goalkeeping responsibilities with Jon McLaughlin with McGregor being preferred in Europe. He produced a Man of the Match display against Sparta last week after a string of top saves to prevent a heavier scoreline. It’s all about managing his game time this season given his age and whenever he’s been called upon he’s been his reliable self.

Jon McLaughlin (6.2) Games played – 6

Produced a stellar performance against Dundee to help a lacklustre Rangers emerge from Dens Park with all three points. His penalty save from Jason Cummings was top drawer. Has been rarely tested when called upon this season but has shown he has the mentality and quality to become the No.1. His recent displays have prompted debate as to whether he could take over as first-choice keeper this season.

Robby McCrorie (7.5) Games played – 2

Was thrown in at the deep end at the end of August against Alashkert and Celtic after Covid meant both McGregor and McLaughlin were unavailable. Two clean sheets in both games will have done his confidence the world of good, he’s since dropped back as No.3 keeper but it’ll please the coaching staff knowing they have three top-class goalkeepers on their books.

James Tavernier (6.4) Games played – 11

A surprise omission in Sunday’s victory over Hibernian but on recent form the skipper can’t have too many complaints. After scoring a worldie against St Johnstone he’s struggled to find the kind of form he enjoyed last season and perhaps the manager’s comments about him playing too many games may be a factor. Like the McGregor/McLaughlin and Davis/Lundstram scenarios, we may see Nathan Patterson fill in for Tavernier more often to keep him fresh.

Connor Goldson (6.2) Games played – 14

Despite not hitting the heights of last season, he is absolutely vital to this Rangers side. His absence from the backline in the St Johnstone and Sparta Prague encounters was heavily felt. Last week’s Europa League clash in particular was one where you noticed just how influential he is given the gaps on display and the ease at which the Czech’s seemed to find a way through to goal. That being said he had a bit of a shocker at Dens Park and, Old Firm game aside, he hasn’t looked the same player as the one who was a colossus on the way to 55.

Filip Helander (6.7) Games played – 7

The big Swede has missed the last six games after being stretchered off in the win over St Johnstone and will be missing until at least December with a knee injury. He’s a huge loss, there’s no denying it, he’s Rangers best central defender and it’s no coincidence they’ve started conceding more goals and look more fragile since he’s been out. Steven Gerrard will be hoping he’s back fit again before January because, as we witnessed in Prague, he’s a little light should Goldson or Balogun pick up a knock.

Leon Balogun (6.1) Games played – 10

The big Nigerian started off the season not in the best of form until he played a blinder at right back in the Old Firm game.

Since then, Sparta Prague aside, he’s been Mr Dependable. He’s put in solid showings in against Lyon, Livingston and Hibs and you can always guarantee he’ll give absolutely everything to the cause. With Helander missing for some time, it’s vital he and Goldson stay fit and avoid injury or illness as the central defensive cover is a touch light.

Calvin Bassey (6.75) Games played - 8

The big likeable 21-year-old has really made his mark on the team so far this season, preferred at times to Borna Barisic, he delivered brilliant performances against Dunfermline, Alashkert and more recently Livingston. He was pitched in at centre back against Sparta Prague last week due to the absence of Goldson and he looked uncomfortable to say the least. We need to remember he’s still a baby in footballing terms, he’s got a lot more to learn but when called upon he’s generally produced and that will please the coaching staff and fans alike who have really taken to him.

Borna Barisic (5.9) Games played – 9

It’s been a bit of a frustrating season for the Croatian thus far, like many players he’s struggled to recapture last season’s form, however, he’s still produced on occasion such as his assist for Morelos against Hibs on Sunday. His performances against the Leith side and Celtic are the standouts in what has been a slightly ‘meh’ campaign for Barisic and as a result, Bassey has been given more of an opportunity at left-back.

Nathan Patterson (6.75) Games played – 4

Personally speaking, it was a welcome sight to see Patterson named in the starting XI against Hibs, it’s imperative Rangers find a way of getting the 19-year-old more game time and given the manager’s comments on Tavernier following the 2-1 win, it’s likely he’ll get more opportunities going forward. After a slightly off-key first half, perhaps understandable given he hasn’t played very often, he came onto a game and his delivery for the Roofe goal was sublime. He’ll now go and represent Scotland in World Cup qualifiers which will give him more minutes in his legs ahead of returning to Ibrox. Should Tavernier struggle to find a level of form he all know he’s capable of then Patterson is more than an able replacement.

Steven Davis (6.5) Games played – 12

The Northern Irishman has looked jaded recently which was summed up by the manager in a recent press conference in which he said he can’t be expected to play every game given his age. Luckily John Lundstram has shone in his absence and given the coaching staff the peace of mind that they can afford to give Davis a rest safe in the knowledge they don’t weaken the team a great deal. He’ll now play in some crucial World Cup qualifiers for his country which may not be ideal in terms of coming back refreshed for club duties but it’s not too much of a concern now given Lundstram’s recent showings.

Glen Kamara (6.5) Games played – 13

Interestingly the Finn has regressed performance-wise slightly since the last international break. His Old Firm performance was his most impressive display of the season so far but since returning he’s been solid yet unspectacular. The good news has been his recent penning of a new improved contract that keeps him tied down until 2025. His sending off against Sparta was harsh in the extreme and paled into insignificance compared to the abuse he had to endure from the best part of 10,000 Czech children. He’s never dipped below a six in the player ratings but we all know how good he is.

Joe Aribo (6.5) Games played – 15

Like Davis and Kamara, Aribo’s form has regressed slightly also. He’s played more games than anyone else this season and perhaps a rest may do him the world of good in terms of recharging and resetting. His best performance of the season came away to Ross County and he’s put in two impressive displays against St Johnstone and Dundee where he netted the winner but he can still give a lot more. His decision making in the final third can still improve and will be an area he’ll no doubt be working on.

Scott Arfield (6) Games played – 5

Hasn’t featured of late due to injury and a recent illness that wasn’t Covid related. At times Rangers have missed his industry and ability to make late runs into the penalty area. You’d imagine the international break will enable the former Burnley man to get himself up to speed and back in contention for a place in the matchday squad.

John Lundstram (5.9) Games played – 10

As his fellow midfielders have regressed in terms of performances, the summer signing from Sheffield United has improved. His start to life at Ibrox was ropey to say the least and a number of supporters had made their minds up when he trudged off the pitch after being sent off against Alashkert. But he’s beginning to make his mark on this Rangers team. Credit must go to the coaching staff for the way they integrated him back into the side by affording him a few cameo substitute appearances before filling in for Davis. He’s produced two Man of the Match displays against Dundee and Hibs and is looking more and more assured in the Rangers engine room.

Ianis Hagi (6.8) Games played – 10

The Romanian has had a stop-start campaign thus far, he started off in scintillating fashion, netting after just seven minutes against Livingston before being hacked down and forced off with an injury. He returned two weeks later to put in impressive displays against Dunfermline and Alashkert at Ibrox before another layoff. He returned at half-time against Livingston in the League Cup with the team in need of a spark and he duly obliged, making an almost immediate impact by setting up the opener for Roofe. That being said, he’s not been able to influence the two most recent fixtures against Sparta and Hibs and given his talent, he is capable of more.

Scott Wright (6.8) Games played – 9

After a promising start to the season, the 24-year-old has gone off the boil slightly. After an impressive showing at home to Alashkert, he missed a few weeks of action before returning to the starting lineup in the 1-1 draw with Motherwell. His touch and decision making in the final third is letting him down at the moment and it’s something he has to improve upon if he’s to cement himself in this Rangers side. 

Ryan Kent (6.1) Games played – 9

It just hasn’t been Ryan Kent’s season. Nursing a hamstring issue for several weeks, the former Liverpool man finally succumbed to the injury in the 2-0 defeat to Lyon. He hadn’t looked himself before the injury and you just hope the layoff will enable him to return refreshed and raring to go again.

Alfredo Morelos (6.4) Games played – 12

It’s been an interesting season so far for El Bufalo. By his own admission he’s not hitting the numbers he expects and is one of a number of players who have struggled for form but he’s still essential to the success of this team. That was highlighted in the recent defeat to Sparta Prague when Gerrard opted to leave the Colombian on the bench, instead preferring Fashion Sakala to lead the line. The Zambian worked hard but he has nowhere near the physical attributes that Morelos possesses. Alfredo endured a barren spell in front of goal of late but his winning header against Hibs was the striker at his vintage best, the little dummy jump in front of Hanlon before peeling away to nod into the corner was exquisite and why he must never be left out of the starting XI.

Kemar Roofe (6.5) Games played – 10

Like Morelos, he’ll have wanted more goals to his name than the six he has. His performance levels have generally been decent although we all know he can deliver so much more. After a disappointing performance against Sparta he was understandably dropped for Hibs clash but he made a brilliant impact from the bench after nodding home the equaliser and looking back to his menacing best. The big challenge for the management team will be getting that chemistry right between Roofe and Morelos, albeit they both scored on Sunday, the pair have struggled to play alongside each other. If they can spark up an understanding then it could be the key to storming away towards 56.

Fashion Sakala (5.6) Games played 5

The Zambian has taken a bit of time to get used to playing in this Rangers team. He is raw, often rash in his decision making and is nowhere near the finished article. With just one goal to his name, a close-range header against Motherwell, he hasn’t looked composed enough in front of goal and lacks the real physical presence to succeed in the Scottish game. Now, that’s not to say he won’t develop it and you can be sure the management team will be putting him through rigorous training to get him up to the level required - but as it stands, the jury is very much out on him becoming a success.