Rangers player ratings v Livi – who only scored 6?

It’s the morning after the afternoon before, and Rangers’ crushing loss at Killie has been curtailed a little by an impressive win and clean sheet over at the Tony Macaroni in Livingston.

Ibrox Noise takes you through a list of who shone and who didn’t in some ratings for you all to gnash your teeth over:

Allan McGregor:

A much more solid performance from McGregor – more assured, better kicking, but of course had very few saves to make. What he did he did with confidence. 7

James Tavernier:

On the day he was being linked with an £8M move to Southampton he picked a fine time to produce another excellent display. A performance of two halves for the captain – the first saw a lack of incisive attacking and few runs and crosses, but very astute and disciplined defending, while the second immediately saw his shackles come off and he tore into Livi’s rearguard. Played a big role in the opening goal to name just one. A very good show. 8

Joe Worrall:

Most fans were aghast at his name on the team sheet, including most of us at the site, but he was a lot more reliable and solid this time around. Sure, wasn’t tested a lot, but competent. 7

Nikola Katic:

The only surprise about his start was he replaced McAuley and not Worrall, but Katic looked far better than he had at this ground last time. Dominated what (little) came his way, and while positioning was occasionally an issue (got dragged out of position a few times) he didn’t really put a foot wrong. 7

Borna Barisic:

Barisic needed this. A subtle performance, the Croat was a surprise starter and appeared determined to prove his worth – while it wasn’t quite Roberto Carlos it was good – his crossing was superb, his corners devilish, and he made sure to get himself heavily involved. A solid outing for Barisic and he’ll be pleased with his work. 7

Ryan Jack:

He just looks way better working alongside McCrorie, and it showed again – maybe not a hugely obvious display, but a reliable one and did a fine job strangling Livi’s midfield. Especially Pittman who was the main man last time. This one the Livi man struggled thanks in part to Jack – goal was a touch fortunate but he earned it. 7

Ross McCrorie:

He is becoming a very important member of this team, and Rangers are weaker without him in it. His partnership with Jack is huge and it nullifies most things any opposition throw at it, and he is big and strong enough to hurt for the team. He surely has to stay in the XI now. 8

Scott Arfield:

Without any question this trio is now Rangers’ most potent midfield, and Arfield, while, like Jack, not hugely obvious, leads the younger pair so well and together all three of them work perfectly. Another assured display from Arfield who got a fine assist into the bargain. 8

Daniel Candeias:

Will have been frustrated to miss Killie and HJK, and was determined to prove his value – and did so. Rangers’ best player yesterday, a constant menace, and seems to have regained his incisive crossing too. Works so hard for the team. 9

Ryan Kent:

A bit off, in truth. We know what he can do, and while he showed glimpses of his class now and then, it wasn’t as potent as his finest displays and overall, while he’ll have loved his goal, we know he’s got more than this in the tank. 6

Alfredo Morelos:

A constant menace as always, and while guilty of some greed (it’s Morelos for chief’s sake) now and then, he earned his goal. His through pass for Kent though was extremely poor and borderline naïve. 8

Manager:

Steven Gerrard made four changes and much grinding of fangs were in attendance as we saw Halliday dropped and Worrall retained – the performance, energy and result justified the selection though as while Livi were hardly impressive for their part, Rangers had some gusto about them and wanted it more. The players worked hard for each other, and their manager. Gerrard righted a lot of the wrongs of the last two matches and we’re glad that horrible diamond has been ditched.