Rangers laboured to a rather underwhelming draw against group minnows Aris Limassol and now almost certainly need to win v Betis to secure passage to the KO stage of the Europa League.

Ibrox Noise brings our scores on a difficult night.

Butland:

A couple of saves but it wasn’t a hugely testing evening for Butland. Maybe could have done better for Aris’ goal and won’t stick this one in his mementos. 6

Tavernier:

Exposed repeatedly and offered John Souttar very little help, while doing little as an attacking force either. These meek displays at this level from the captain are why he should be accountable, but never is. 5

Souttar:

Among Rangers’ best players of the starters, made some big interceptions and won huge aerials in the box, and while he (and Davies) were cut to ribbons for the goal, that was about his only ‘error’ (and it was more down to the tactics). We look forward to him being dropped for Goldson again. 8

Davies:

In truth, aside that opening goal, he didn’t do a lot wrong. He basically plays the Goldson role, quiet, not dominating and lets his more physical partner do the heavy lifting. Good with distribution and a key block early on prevented a big chance. 7

Barisic:

Lots of crosses, and a bit of an improvement on Aberdeen, the Croat did a lot at the back and even made a lot of key passes. Still not incredible but notably better. 6

Lundstram:

So heavily involved in this one, no one touched the ball more. He made a lot of things happen and worked hard on containing Aris. Big hearted performance which deserved more. 8

Cifuentes:

Barely touched the ball, loose with his footing, extremely slow and gave the ball away a lot – didn’t seem to offer much, made no impression other than frustrating fans. Did grow into it a bit but wasn’t great. 5

Sima:

Worked hard to make things happen but the Bambi on Ice Sima is back and not much of it has impact. Dribbles so much but there’s a real lack of quality at the end of it again. 6

Lammers:

Really, really struggled in this one, lost the ball constantly, looked nervous, couldn’t keep any composure and it was with amazement he remained on the pitch as long as he did. 4

Cantwell:

We’re not going to be as brutal on Cantwell – he’s being played out of position and RW doesn’t work for him. That’s on Clement. But yes, he struggled again, and he’s having a really bad season overall. 4

Danilo:

Again, his inability to hold things up was exposed as he lost out on a few duels. Danilo is too lightweight and it’s no wonder Rangers are working on a stronger striker in January. Technically he assisted McCausland but the young lad really did it all himself. 6

Subs:

McCausland:

Very bright cameo, brilliant first goal, and was alive to things. Very industrious and probably cemented his starting berth with this one. Watch as he gets dropped for the weekend. 9

Lawrence:

Touch of class when he arrived, his omission was puzzling. He looked bright, made things happen, and barely put a foot wrong. 7

Matondo:

Rough – looked well off the pace, which is no surprise, and was unable to do much of note. 4

Manager:

Ibrox Noise was harshly critical of Philippe Clement’s management over the Aberdeen result, to a tonne of abuse from a lot of some fans who are no longer part of our community. Sadly, the Belgian was at it again with a bizarre selection, and then bewildered fans further by removing Cantwell early rather than placing him centre, and leaving Lammers on inside the first half. The decision was booed at the ground, and we must say, while we sympathise with Clement having to p*ss with the c*ck he has, there’s basics here, and just like Mick Beale before him, he’s starting to let those infuriating decisions creep into his management.

The team WAS better in the second half, not by a boatload mind you, but better, but it was unfortunately just as wasteful as it was v Aberdeen and it’s the same performance (and goal conceded) twice in a row. There didn’t seem to be much learned since Sunday at all.

We love Big Phil, but he’s lost a little of his sparkle these last two matches and he’s certainly part of why we could only draw this and at Pittodrie. He does need better players, absolutely, we’re not blaming him for Danilo being lightweight but he’s equally making poor decisions lately which haven’t worked. He was bold to make an early change, and deserves credit for that bravery, but the nature of it what he actually did wasn’t fully right and he was the one who made the selection error leading to it in the first place. He needs to learn and learn fast. It’s one thing to have the players ‘buy into you’, which the players have said they are, but quite another on his part simply to continue making the same weird calls your predecessor did. He’s much, much better than this. 4