“Dynamite” – 9 “Not happening” – 3 – Rangers player ratings at Hamilton

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“Dynamite” – 9 “Not happening” – 3 – Rangers player ratings at Hamilton


Another clean sheet for a Rangers team and another five goals racked up with ease, and with no red card for the opponent this time, Ibrox Noise takes you through our ratings for the best of the bunch at whatever the hell New Douglas Park is called these days:

McGregor:

Called into action once, and did as well as we’d expect McGregor to do. A really quiet day for him otherwise and can be happy his one big save earned a clean sheet. 7

Tavernier:

Bombed up and down the right as always, and frankly wasn’t needed much at all in defence. A good solid day of interplay with Candeias and while some of his crossing was off, a few hit their mark. Took his penalty perfectly. Solid. 7

Goldson:

Had barely a thing to do quite honestly, and found himself in Hamilton’s half a lot. Can’t really legitimately score a defender who had this quiet a match but he did fine. 6

Worrall:

Much the same as Goldson, didn’t really get called into a lot of action. What he did, like Goldson, seemed fairly efficient and quiet. 6

Halliday:

Continues to show why he’s determined to become the first pick – wasn’t remarkable but hungrily involved and linked well with Ryan Kent in the first half especially. Gives his all and never lets his side down. 7

Kamara:

Played a kind of sweeper role and if he was supposed to be marking Tony Andreu, well, his man gave him the slip two or three times. Can’t help feeling McCrorie just offers more, but aside the odd loss of concentration Kamara did ok. 6

Jack:

Is absolutely thriving in his new central midfield position – still helps out in defence, but who knew he could help in attack too? A few neat forward passes and took his goal superbly, Ryan Jack is becoming one of the best midfielders in the SPL – we want to say ‘the’ best but there is heavy competition for the role. He was, simply, outstanding today. 9

Arfield:

We’ve always known Rangers’ midfield functions best with Arfield in it, even if the man himself isn’t having the best day – but while not stellar today he was very good and his goal was superb. Quietly influential in midfield, marshalling those around him. Good show. 8

Kent:

First half dynamite from Kent as he tore Hamilton a new one – if Celtic couldn’t handle Ryan, what hope did Brian Rice’s men have? Good assist for Jack and while he drifted out second half, it wasn’t that surprising. 8

Candeias:

On a day the two Ryans were having a field day, it would take something brilliant to top that. Danny did exactly that. Some gorgeous deft flicks, tonnes of dangerous crosses and his trademark hard work, this was a great display of the best of the Portuguese. 9

Defoe:

He’s an amusing one. He’s basically invisible throughout the whole match, but comes alive with the ball at his feet in the box. Really poor effort early on, but made up for it with a stunning header and a fine assist. It’s like he does so little in a match and yet what that little is has a big impact! 8

Subs:

Lafferty:

Will be over the moon with his goal, and he did look bright as well – like something to prove. Well, he’s never going to be first choice, but he wants to make it as hard as he can for Gerrard to keep overlooking him. He’ll be happy with his cameo. 7

Davis:

Bleh. What can we really say about the totally off-form Davis who just cannot get going at all in this team? This isn’t anything like what he should be capable of but it’s just not happening for him right now. 3

Coulibaly:

No time to make impact. N/A

Steven Gerrard:

Picked a strong team for an important trip to Hamilton, and set his team up well. 4-2-3-1 is working nicely, even if some argue it’s 4-3-3 and though Ross McCrorie will feel a little miffed at missing out today, the men who went out there did the job. Well, until the second half when they barely turned up. Gerrard wasn’t happy about that, but overall he picked the right team and tactics and Hamilton had nothing in response. 8

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12 COMMENTS

  1. Have to totally disagree with your mark for Davis. I thought he looked sharp and lively when he came on. He rarely gave the ball away and was always looking to play a positive ball forward. Much more like his old self for me and showed that he could be that forward thinking midfield player we seek. He and Lafferty really lifted us when they came on and was glad to see Lafferty get his goal. He could easily have got another couple if he was up to match speed. I also thought Worrall and Goldson looked shaky on the few times Hamilton ventured forward.

    • Funny how you’ve never asked for that before? Or is it only when you disagree that this site becomes accountable to you?

    • Davis can hardly claim to be in great form when he can't get in the team but I maintain I thought he played very well in the half hour he was on. He played many fine and some key positive passes and his first thought when he got the ball was to go forward quickly. Looks like I have some support in that view.

    • A sub has to really stand out to be much above 5. Lafferty succeeded. Davis didn’t for us, but we respect differing opinions. We have less respect though for demand of a written explanation! We’ll await with anticipation when other outlets get held to account for their scores like we did here! It’s also curious how much passionate opposition this score got when the opposition to Worrall’s was far more lukewarm…?

    • I respect that other people have different opinions on matches and players and often see games differently. However, I was curious as to why my opinion could be so far apart from IN on the 30 minute appearance of Steve Davis. So I've watched the game and and took notes on his entire contribution. So here goes:
      62 minutes: Davis comes to play as an attacking midfielder.
      63 he plays a short roll pass then 1-2 with Jack then plays a good forward pass to Lafferty in space. This results in Defoe firing a shot that is well saved. The resultant corner from Davis is headed clear.
      67 Davis corner from the left is headed clear.
      72 Rolled a forward pass into the path of Tavernier.
      73 good control in tight space and a good forward pass to Candeias wide resulting in a chance for Lafferty.
      75 picked up ball in space, drove forward 5 yards then passed wide to Candeias nearly resulting in a goal with Laffertys back post header being knocked out for a corner. Davis took the corner and played it short to Jack for a cross into the box.
      77 Davis received Tavernier throw in volleyed back to him then exchanged passes with Jack who fed Candeias. Candeias back heeled into the path of Tavernier who drove into the box and crossed for Lafferty to fire wide at the near post. Great move.
      78 harried McKinnon in midfield into giving the ball away.
      81 received ball on edge of the box and showed lovely control before sliding the ball in front of Candeias who was off side.
      82 high ball in midfield headed back to Tavernier.
      82 tried flick on edge of box that bounced up and was cleared.
      82 harried McKinnon in midfield to pass ball straight out of play.
      83 received ball from Jack, nice turn, great forward pass to Lafferty wide who blasted over.
      85 took ball in own half surrounded by 5 Hamilton players and played the ball back 20 yards to Worrall.
      85 mopped up loose ball in midfield. Headed to Jack.
      85 nice triangular play involving Davis, Goldson and Coulibaly ended with Davis trying to find Defoe over the top with a long ball. Headed clear.
      86 20 yard forward pass to Candeias in Hamilton half.
      87 received pass from Tavernier, brilliant control and turn and played terrific pass down line to Candeias which led to Laffertys goal.
      87 from kick off harried defender into playing ball back to his keeper.
      88 clearing header from Goldson nicely cushioned into the path of Jack. Got it back and drove forward 10 yards, stepped inside and played a square ball into the path of Tavernier who drove into the box and had a close range effort well saved.
      All in all this was an excellent performance and having watched it again in detail was even better than I thought after the game. It was bright and sharp and his desire to get forward quickly was much better than the pedestrian stuff we've often seen this season. If we could get Davis doing that in the forward midfield position for the full 90 minutes then he could solve a lot of our attacking problems.
      You may not agree but I suggest you watch that 30 minute Davis contribution again. One unsuccessful flick on the edge of the box and a long ball that was cut out does not make a 3. This may seem pedantic but it has a purpose because based on this I believe Davis could make a big contribution to our team in that forward midfield position.

    • Shall we give up him to 5? 😉

      Seriously Rob, you've put a stonking amount of effort into proving us wrong, and we love the dedication. If only those who disagreed with us could always use facts to back up their insults.

      And because you've gone to lengths beyond any sane person, we have to take our hats off to you sir.

      Now can you do the same for the rest of the team…?

  2. No excuses then, for when we meet Celtic. Imagine how great it would be, beating them, in their own back-yard. But my head, says we'll bottle it. We can't just be winning the 'easy' games.

  3. Best away performance in a while particularly first half I thought we were excellent. Certainly the best we've passed the ball. Kamara and Jack in particular hardly gave a ball away. Hopefully same again on Wednesday

  4. What you could say about Davis was that it was his fantastic ball up the line that sent Candeias away for the fifth goal and that he looked much better today .Goldson and Worrall were all over the place and were Accies only hope of getting back in to the game and while I like young McCrorie too, Kamara was excellent on Tuesday night and tidy today so Ross can have no complaints .Kamara is much better in possession and that is what Ross needs to improve .He will get plenty game time as the season goes on.

  5. your bring very generous with Worrall, l was at the game today and the guy is a fucking bombscare, Gerrard should drop him asap, that's twice in a week he's very nearly caused a penalty, the guy is fucking rank, cant wait to see him going back to Nottingham

  6. That's the way to do it and silence a few nuggets in the process all our players played out their skin today superb display .

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