We’ll go through the full extent of tonight’s comfortable but ultimately underwhelming win over Stranraer in due course, but first, some ratings:

McGre…Foderingham:

Had nothing to do all night bar some clearances. Utterly devoid of action. N/A

Patterson:

The young man shone on his debut. True, he didn’t have an opposite number to really deal with, but his crossing was excellent, his movement solid, and his only aberration was a naïve and silly foul in the second half. He did his future prospects no harm at all with this performance. 8

Edmundson:

Quiet but composed evening from Edmundson, wasn’t exactly challenged much and his job was to sit back the whole night bar set plays. 6

Katic:

Managed to get forward a bit, but was wasteful with headers bar one which pulled out a good save from Currie. Defending was rudimentary, little threat really. 6

Halliday:

Showed why Barisic has overtaken him totally. A pretty lacklustre display, and that was before his injury. Just isn’t good enough. But then, who is? 5

Davis:

Slept through the match – one or two off key passes but mostly an easy, composed and slick display from the ever-reliable playmaker. 7

Jack:

Energetic, and might have scored. Sure it was Stranraer but this was still a lot better than his poor performance in the preceding match, and he’ll be happy to have had the captaincy honour for the night too. 7

Arfield:

Well-taken goal, got about, and was very involved. Bright and industrious and showed he will always work no matter who the opponent. 7

Jones:

Pitiful. This was his first ever start at Ibrox in a competitive domestic match, and he did not take his chance in the slightest. Every run got away from him, he tried to emulate the movement of Kent but didn’t have the intelligence, and just all in all a night to forget. 4

Defoe:

Wonderful off the ball as always, and won and took his penalty with conviction. A professional and clinical performance from the reliable and evergreen Defoe. 7

Aribo:

Showed some good close control again, and while his movement wasn’t as lavish as it could be, he was effective enough for what the night needed. 6

Subs:

Barker:

Rank rotten again – his appalling attempt at an assist summed his ability off. 3

Ojo:

Was he even on the pitch? Aside one slightly unlucky offside call, his impact was negligible. 3

Kennedy:

Showed more confidence and energy in his 10-minute cameo than Ojo and Barker did in theirs, bright and eager, and got one good run while he was at it. Small frame, but could be a livewire in the future. 6

Manager:

Steven Gerrard went for a much-changed side to the Celtic win, and it far from delivered. Too much chafe, and his men played within themselves. Not enough energy overall, and too many passengers. He will be happy with the clean sheet and passage, but little else. 6