Rangers today slipped up in a critical test of title credentials today at Easter Road, and despite a tonne of questionable officiating, sadly Rangers were their own worst enemies as dreadful defending and poor finishing cost them what could be a gigantic win in the Championship race.
Ibrox Noise takes you through our ratings for a disappointing afternoon in Leith.
McLaughlin:
Absolutely stunning save from Nesbit’s angled drive, but was poorly nutmegged for the opening goal. Positioning good mostly, and some neat footwork, but that Wright finish was a real blot. 6
Tavernier:
Extraordinarily poor by his recently-excellent standards, Tavernier managed barely a single useful cross and some lapse defending as well caused him to have an afternoon to forget. 5
Goldson:
It wasn’t his best performance, and he was lazy with his lax pass which led to Hibs’ equaliser, but he was by no means the worst player in the Rangers shirt today. Miles away for the opener though. 6
Helander:
Bright start and showed some solid stopping, but got bogged down in the pace as the game wore on and was probably Rangers’ biggest culprit for all three goals. With the first he was completely done for positioning, the second he was holding way way too high a line even if it was offside, then he was destroyed for pure strength when it came to the goal itself. His worst display this season by a mile. 5
Barisic:
A few crosses, we think, hardly noticeable. A quiet day from the Croat. 6
Kamara:
Clean enough overall but not as involved as he has been and found the game passing him by a bit. 6
Davis:
His worst performance for a long time, although that’s relative, Davis lacked much space to produce his usual game, and was guilty of a number of poor passes. Jack Ross targeted the space around him and stopped Davo playing to his usual levels. 6
Kent:
He did provide the opening assist for Morelos’ goal, but aside this an uncharacteristically flat performance from Kent. He was involved as much as he could, but overall didn’t contribute a lot otherwise. 6
Arfield:
One of Rangers’ better players, Arfield’s goal was an excellent finish and he was probably the most productive player in the shirt. Never stopped working, and was unlucky not to get the winner but for stunning goalkeeping. 7
Hagi:
Fine assist for Arfield, and was involved in a lot of the build up play, this was a continued return to some form from Hagi, who had a notably better game than Ryan Kent did. He wasn’t incredible but he showed guile. 7
Morelos:
If not for his goal, this was 2020’s Morelos all over again. Looking leaner, yes, and seems a little more mobile, but his opening miss was criminal and he just doesn’t look anything like the player a 20-minute cameo in Gibraltar deluded some into thinking he was. 6
Subs were inconsequential and had little influence.
Steven Gerrard:
Did his Morelos gamble backfire? We told you he’d start him, and while we can’t blame the Colombian for this result, it’s a hell of a coincidence that his return to the starting team coincides with such a poor afternoon. Gerrard will be gutted his front men were so wasteful and his defence so vulnerable, but he also struggled, again, to overturn adversity. He’s not really had to do that this season, and the two times he has, he’s failed. Bad day for everyone, especially the manager. 6
Would have gave Goldson a 3. He was shocking today.
Good summing up. 1-2 up after being 1 down should have gone on to win the game. We will see what happens against Celtic but fairly clear. The team today much like last year & not good enough then and still not good enough. All very well getting rid of the likes of Docherty, Murphy and McCrorie but can’t see this Rangers team winning the league anytime soon.
Very poor performance from most including Davis who looked fed up in the 2nd half , yes Hanlon should’ve been off no question it’s a red everyday, but officials don’t give Rangers bugger all. Only Arfield comes out with any positives, although how he missed the two chances I don’t know …keeper did well I suppose. Hagi is a enigma , yes he is a smart player but weak and ineffective , mostly a weak loser of possession. Once again Goldson and Tav show the weaknesses that cost us last season so many times . Kent was easily marginalized by close 3 man cover and totally uninfluenced the whole game Morelos done OK but had poor service . Steven Gerrard should have changed Kent for Jones, apart from that and Itten he picked the right game plan and team. Who is Itten …What is Itten …Dykes for half the money ??????? It lets a poor rotten mob in again , our mistakes not thier good play . Very disappointed .
Extremely poor today, seems nothing has been learned from last year, the football for me is absolutely uninspiring, too many touches, not moving the ball quick enough and what is it with the lack of shots? I’m sick of watching them trying to walk the ball into the net.
Surely after today Goldson must be left out as Gerrard admitted he has been played too much. After taking the lead it was criminal defending and although it was offside the situation should never have developed if Goldson had just cleared his lines
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