Rangers started their Europa League campaign with an eye-catching win over Malmo as Philippe Clement’s side found a result and a performance in Sweden. Nedim Bajrami opened his account for Rangers with a goal after just 56 seconds and a series of misses didn’t cost the visitors. Ross McCausland made an instant impact off the bench to secure the points.

Clement will hope this is the foundation for a prolonged run at home and abroad in the coming weeks after a difficult start to the campaign. Here, the Rangers Review picks out the key points from an encouraging and impressive victory.

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A dream start and positive approach

Clement simply could not have wished for Rangers to get out of the blocks in a more clinical fashion. The lack of any real pace and a natural target man ruled that Rangers would not be able to defend deep and then catch Malmo on the break. Within the first minute, they had a lead to hold on to and look to build on.

A wayward pass from Gabriel Busanello back towards his own keeper was intercepted by Cyriel Dessers. What would happen next was anyone’s guess given that it was Dessers who was on the ball. To be fair to the striker, he did well to round Johan Dahlin and get a shot away but his effort struck the post.

Fortunately for Clement, Bajrami was in the right place at the right time. The Albanian is a more natural and effective operator from a central position than the left side where he started. He was alert to the opportunity and made no mistake from close range. This was Bajrami’s first goal for Rangers, and the first he has scored since his record-breaking attempt against Italy this summer.

How Clement’s tactics resolved Malmo’s Relationism

Clement’s only complaint at half-time conversing with his side in the dressing room would’ve been the lack of a second Rangers goal. The xG after 45 minutes was 1.5 to 0.06 in the visitors’ favour, not including a dangerous breakaway at the end of the half that lacked a shot. Of course, an early strike inside the first minute changed the game state and forced Malmo to somewhat overcommit forwards to satisfy a baying crowd but with that said, Clement’s team didn’t have the pace to further exploit the spaces behind the hosts’ defence.

Well-timed forward running, quick interchanges between Bajrami and Dessers alongside an increasingly improving build-up allowed Rangers to go over the top of Malmo repeatedly. Cerny really should have added a second when sent through before contriving to miss the target altogether. Dessers and Bajrami both lacked a clinical edge during further moments in transition.

Rangers’ press under Clement looks far better when it’s on the front foot and asking questions, not sitting back reactively. Malmo had none of their flow and improvisation in possession to pick the visiting defence. Here at the interval Rangers were rewarded for taking the game to their hosts as opposed to sitting in and trying to survive the early exchanges.

When Malmo finally threatened, they too were guilty of profligacy and captain Anders Christiansen blazed over from 12 yards. At the other end, Tom Lawrence was wasteful as his effort was ballooned high. Dessers should have won it with a glorious chance. Thankfully for Rangers, it didn’t prove costly.

A big call at left-back pays off

There were few decisions that Clement really had to deliberate over but the left-back slot was certainly one of them. Ridvan Yilmaz is still not fit to feature, while Jefte was suspended following his controversial dismissal in the defeat to Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden. The absence of Oscar Cortes ensured Bajrami would feature on the left flank but the berth in behind him was up for grabs.

Clement ruled Robbie Fraser out of contention because the step was ‘a little bit too big’ for the former B Team captain. It left Dujon Sterling and Neraysho Kasanwirjo in the running and it was the summer recruit that got the nod as Clement cited his ‘fitness’ advantage.

The call was an unexpected one, but Kasanwirjo repaid Clement’s faith on his first start following his loan switch from Feyenoord. The Dutchman was positive in his play and looked to take up attacking positions when possible. He was comfortable on the ball and his grounding in his homeland was evident. His versatility could prove more than useful over the course of the campaign.

Kasanwirjo should have marked the occasion with a goal. He advanced well up the park once again in support but scooped his strike over the bar. Regardless, this was a night for the defender to build on and an excellent late block will mean more than his miss.

McCausland makes his mark

Rangers really needed a second to relax in Sweden but despite the space and chances on show it took a substitution for the moment to arrive. McCausland was bright from the bench at midweek against Dundee and had the biggest moment of his short Ibrox career to date tonight. After initially navigating a tricky back-to-goal situation well to spin out of pressure and earn a free-kick, the Northern Irishman kept on running.

A looping free-kick forward was picked up as a second ball and struck low and hard into the net by the attacker, cue bedlam in the nearby away end. McCausland was inches away from a superb individual effort on his left foot in the previous round against Dynamo Kyiv when the post denied his moment - here there would be no repeat. 

Rangers find their European level

Thursday nights are Rangers nights. This competition has brought out the best in Rangers over the years but this campaign represents the start of a new chapter, in more ways than one, with the Europa League.

This is not the Rangers team that Steven Gerrard gelled and guided to so many memorable results as his side punched above their weight. And it is not the one that Giovanni van Bronckhorst coached and cajoled to within a penalty kick of immortality in Seville.

The Europa League was so integral to the evolution of Gerrard’s team in particular. Clement must now hope that his group can reap the same rewards individually and collectively.

It remains to be seen what a par score will be in terms of this new league phase format. The Ibrox factor will, of course, be hugely significant for Rangers. This is not the competition that Clement wished to be in, but it could prove to be the best one for Rangers to be in.