Dessers delivers for Rangers as Sterling return ends prematurely

This was an encouraging showing from Clement's side and the draw boosts their chances of progressing out of the new-look league phase this term. The trip to Nice at the end of the month is the next European assignment for Rangers.

Rangers return to domestic action on Sunday as they host Hearts in a must-win Premiership fixture. Here, the Rangers Review looks at the key issues from a deserved draw that could easily have been a memorable win on the road.

Read more:

• Philippe Clement explains why James Tavernier is dropped for Olympiacos game

• Nico Raskin on double-ankle injury and dressing room response

Valuable learning experience

These matches are won and lost in the moments and the fine margins. Opposition at this level can punish you for mistakes that you get away with domestically. At the other end, a profligate attack can leave a side feeling a sense of what might have been.

This squad and this team are not the fine European operators that Steven Gerrard and Giovanni van Bronckhorst took on memorable continental runs. Clement’s players are still learning and still finding their feet and every experience – whether they are as encouraging as the wins over Malmo or FCSB or as tough to take as the defeat to Lyon – is ultimately invaluable. This was a mixed evening and an entertaining encounter.

Had passes been released quicker at times, Rangers could have had more joy against an Olympiacos outfit that looked susceptible. Nedim Bajrami was guilty of being slack in possession. On the other side, Vaclav Cerny carried more of a threat and maintained his improved recent run of form. He added another assist to his tally after finding Dessers before the striker pulled Clement’s side level.

This was a night that saw Rangers handle the atmosphere at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium and deal with the reigning Conference League champions. Clement spoke about the win over Motherwell being a reference game for his side. This one certainly falls into the same category.

Chris Jack

Dessers does what Dessers does

The opening stages would have raised fears that it was going to be one of those nights for Dessers. The best chances fell to the Nigerian striker, and both went unconverted. Rangers had joy with the ball in behind a high Olympiacos line and Dessers only had keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis to beat after being set free in the left channel. A tame effort lacked confidence and conviction, although the offside flag could well have denied him had he scored.

A few minutes later, Tzolakis saved well from closer range after Dessers was picked out by Cerny. With Bajrami waiting in behind, could Dessers have left it for his fellow forward?

(Image: Costas Baltas/Shutterstock)

In true Dessers fashion, the good followed the bad and the ugly. As Panagiotis Retsos lunged in, Dessers showed composure to check his advance. He then produced a terrific finish from distance that left Tzolakis with no chance.

A minute or so later, David Carmo was booked. The centre-half had been held off by Dessers and then fouled him and was cautioned for kicking the ball away. It was the sort of hold-up play that Dessers fails to do so often. Dessers gave Olympiacos a few headaches. As usual, he gave Rangers more than one as well.

Chris Jack

Clement can be encouraged by performance

Come the half-hour mark in Greece, Rangers had created 0.6xG to the hosts’ 0.2. Having fashioned the better openings and conceded little Clement’s side were a finish away from making this the perfect start on the road in Europe. Bar a few spells that featured too many direct balls in a row Rangers put together a number of threatening attacks. The midfield three were busy, in particular the bullish Nico Raskin, and often linked well and Cerny and Sterling posed a good threat on the right. At times Rangers could be accused of playing too directly too quickly, rushing moments that required calm heads.

Dessers’ inability to capitalise on a one-v-one chance or hit the net when presented with a free shot six yards from goal was the visitor’s predominant problem. The home crowd’s jeers which In terms of attacking options from the bench Clement was limited.

While El Kaabi’s swivel and hit into the top corner 10 minutes after the break was an outstanding finish, and one that lit a flame in the home support, it only stood to contrast the better chance Dessers passed up at the same end earlier in the game. That was until the No.9 was sent through by Cerny, sat down his marker and swung a shot across the keeper into the net.

Clement will rightly praise another European performance away from home far more cohesive than those offered up in league competition. If Dessers had taken more than one moment the result would’ve properly reflected a visiting side who deserved more on the night.

Joshua Barrie

El Kaabi shows quality for hosts

The return of Robin Propper may not have been a universally popular choice amongst supporters but it was not a huge surprise from Clement. There are concerns over how well equipped the Dutchman is to handle the tough and tumble nature of Scottish football but the return to European action offered Propper a chance to play himself back into form.

At half-time, it was a case of so far so good and it could be viewed as a typical away day performance. Rangers were relatively untroubled in the first 45 minutes and captain for the night Jack Butland had little to do. There were moments where Clement’s side were loose in possession but they were not punished, with a Gelson Martins effort that was fired into the near post one of the few transition phases looked threatening in.

Ten minutes after the restart, the hosts had the breakthrough as El Kaabi scored for the fourth time in as many matches in this competition. The Rangers defence was sucked towards a dinked ball over the top and John Souttar left El Kaabi free in space to meet a Chiquinho header. The finish from inside the area was clinical and accomplished but a rare moment of quality from the Greeks.

Chris Jack

Captain sits out from the start

The justification from Clement made the decision sound somewhat run-of-the-mill and just like any other selection call. This one carried greater significance, of course. Whether James Tavernier was dropped or rested is largely immaterial, it was the correct move for Rangers and for the captain as Dujon Sterling was given the chance to prove himself as the natural successor.

There has been a theory amongst supporters that Tavernier has been picked on sentiment rather than merit at times this season. He rated his form as ‘pretty good’ ahead of the League Cup semi-final with Motherwell. It was indicative, however, that Tavernier was replaced by Sterling as Clement’s side chased the victory at Hampden.

(Image: ARIS MESSINIS)

Sterling has it all to prove in the position that he was signed to play. The battle here with Martins was a test that was passed successfully in the first half as Sterling was positionally sound. After the break it was Kristoffer Velde that provided the challenge for just six minutes.

Clement had expressed doubts that Sterling could get through the whole encounter. The Englishman did not look particularly pleased about being withdrawn when he was as Neraysho Kasanwirjo took his spot. Tavernier’s introduction came late on as he replaced Bajrami.

Chris Jack