Rangers player ratings vs Genk – Jack Butland marvellous but Mohammed Diomande woeful
Rangers lost 1-0 in their opening Europa League tie as Genk embarrassed them in front of the home fans.
Prior to the game, sources told Football Insider on 23 September that Russell Martin needed to win matches before the international break to keep his Rangers job.
Back in the starting XI for the second game running, former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Nicolas Raskin needs to prove his worth at Rangers.
The Belgian fell out of favour under the former Southampton boss but did little to regain his faith following a below-par performance at the Ibrox on 25 September.
Football Insider reviews who shone and who flopped for the Gers against Genk in their Europa League opening defeat.
Rangers player ratings against Genk
Jack Butland – 9
Stepped up with a magnificent penalty save on the stroke of half-time to keep the Teddy Bears in the tie as the game began to spiral out of control.
Ironically, the Englishman stopped former Celtic striker Hyun-gyu Oh from converting from the spot who was ridiculed by the Rangers crowd before eventually scoring in the second half.
James Tavernier – 4
A very mixed game from the skipper who was at fault for the Belgian side’s penalty but on the other side was also creative in attack.
John Souttar – 5
Denied a superb header in the first half that was cleared off the line, the Scotsman put in a decent shift at centre-back but was caught out by the speed of the Genk counter-attacks on a number of occasions.
Derek Cornelius – 7
The Canadian is really getting into the groove at the Ibrox putting another confident defensive performance as he continues to build an excellent partnership with John Souttar.
Jayden Meghoma – 3
Going forward the Brentford loanee was impressive down the left-hand side and whipped in some excellent crosses to trouble the Genk defence.
Defensively he was nowhere to be seen, frequently losing his man on the back post with zero urgency to track and close down his man.
Mohammed Diomande – 1
On the cusp of half-time, the Ivorian steamed in to a reckless and unnecessary tackle which totally endangered his opponent by catching him with his studs just above the ankle.
A stupid decision that put his team up against the wall as Martin looked on shaking his head in disbelief.
Thelo Aasgaard – 6
Norway international Thelo Aasgaard endeavoured to get on the ball and dictate the midfield but wasn’t completely convincing.
Nicolas Raskin – 4
After impressing during the League Cup victory against Hibernian, the Belgian fell flat at the Ibrox and was non-existent for much of the game.
Mikey Moore – 2
The Tottenham loanee looks extremely out of his depth since arriving to Glasgow which saw him hooked on half-time for Oliver Antman.
The 18-year-old snatched at a few chances with the red card also probably a factor in taking Mikey Moore off the pitch.
Youssef Chermiti – 5
Bore a lonely figure up front under the lights at the Ibrox as the Portuguese struggled to make an impact on proceedings.
Djeidi Gassama – 7
One of the bright sparks of the stuttering attack who worked tirelessly up and down the left-hand side to try and give his team a chance of overturning the deficit.
Substitutions:
Oliver Antman – 3
I genuinely think I didn’t hear ex-Rangers striker Ally McCoist utter the Finlander’s name in the second half who was an absolute ghost.
Joe Rothwell – 4
Brought on for the final 10 minutes of the tie and had little time to impact proceedings.
Connor Barron – 4
A late substitution for the Gers as the 23-year-old continues to be in and out of the starting XI despite having a late stunning effort blocked in the 88th minute.
Bojan Miovski – 4
The North Macedonian had to settle for a late cameo off the bench despite netting his first Rangers goal against Hibs in the League Cup.