ALLAN McGREGOR: No chance with both Malmo goals and had a fairly quiet evening in the main. Produced a good stop to deny a Berget drive from range on 20 minutes. 6
JAMES TAVERNIER: Mixed bag from the skipper. Decent first half, great run forward and cross into Scott Arfield on 19 minutes and superb play on 41 minutes when he produced a terrific sliding challenge to win the ball just inside his own half. He then nicked the ball past another Malmo player before striding forward and setting up Ryan Kent in the box. A poor start to the second half, however, was nowhere to be seen for the first goal and gave the ball away which led to the second goal soon after. 6
BORNA BARISIC: Iffy performance from the Croatian. Malmo were getting a lot of joy down his side of the pitch. Poor delivery from a free-kick then moments later was booked for a foul on Colak. Struck a free kick on 67 minutes that struck the wall and his deliveries weren’t his usual best. Not fully match-fit. 6
CONNOR GOLDSON: Let’s just say he’s had better performances in a Rangers jersey. Caught out on six minutes dwelling on the ball, luckily Lundstram and Tavernier were able to cover. He lost the run of Berget a minute later who managed to drift in behind him but again nothing came of it. Good defensive header away from a Malmo corner on the half-hour mark and produced a solid challenge to take the ball off Colak two minutes later, standing his ground well. All over the place at the start of the second half though and had a calamity on 48 minutes when he ran over the ball allowing Birmancevic to slot in the second goal of the game. 5
FILIP HELANDER: Good contest between the Swede and Antonio Colak. Helander probably just about edged it after a solid display where he won most of his duels with the Croatian. Almost set up Arfield late on with a header from close range. 7
STEVEN DAVIS: Just how crucial could his goal at the death be? If you don’t buy a ticket you can’t win the raffle. Great left-footed strike from the edge of the area that took a slight deflection before finding the corner of the net. Goal aside, it was a composed display as usual from the Northern Irishman who was always showing and coming deep to begin moves and keep the ball moving. 7
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JOHN LUNDSTRAM: A mercurial start to his Rangers career. Had a couple of poor minutes in the first half when he misplaced a pass and was then outmuscled in possession but grew into the game. Showed great vision to pick out Ryan Kent with a forward pass on 23 minutes and produced another terrific ball to Kent ten minutes later. Could've perhaps closed down Rieks better before he struck home the opener. Misplaced pass on 75 minutes when Rangers were on the attack was disappointing. 6
SCOTT ARFIELD: Tireless performance as we come to expect but looked slightly off the pace at times. Had a half-chance in the box on 19 minutes after being picked out by Tavernier but there was no real conviction in the shot. Won a free kick on edge of the area on 66 minutes and was rightly booked three minutes later for holding back Lewicki. 6
SCOTT WRIGHT: Deservedly given a starting berth tonight and put in a decent shift. Linked up well with Itten at times and caused the Malmo defence problems with his constant movement and forward running, Taken out by a wild challenge from Moisander on 51 minutes, the Swede was very fortunate to escape a red. Should’ve taken a shot on 55 minutes when it looked to open up for him in front of goal but elected to pass it sideways to Itten which was too heavy. Looked threatening right to the end, and showed a great burst of pace on 79 minutes before cutting the ball back to Sakala whose shot was blocked. 7
RYAN KENT: You always get 100% effort from the 24-year-old but wasn’t at his best in terms of quality. Poor delivery when on a breakaway down the right-hand side after eight minutes and poor decision making on 17 minutes giving the ball away cheaply in a forward position. That said, he produced a sublime first touch to control a Lundstram long pass forward before being taken down on the edge of the area. Was fouled several times without winning a free kick in the first half. Full of running and endeavour in the second period and sent a good ball forward to Arfield on 66 minutes. 6
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CEDRIC ITTEN: Given the nod to lead the line and showed why with a decent showing, particularly the first half. The big Swiss held the ball up well, using his strength with some terrific link-up play. Almost played in on 14 minutes, looked like he outmuscled the Malmo centre half but he recovered well to knock the ball away. Good hold up play again on 25 minutes to release Kent and produced a gorgeous back heel to lay it into the on-rushing Wright on 35 minutes. Harshly booked in the 43rd minute for catching the Malmo player slightly late. Couldn’t get into the game as much in the second half and eventually substituted for Fashion Sakala. 7
Substitutes
FASHION SAKALA: Replaced Itten on 62 minutes. Got himself into decent areas but struggling to find space behind the Malmo defence who were sitting very deep. 5
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