Rangers player ratings vs PSV as Abdallah Sima enigma reigns while Jose Cifuentes hit with whirlwind

June 2024 · 3 minute read

It's all set up to be a thriller in Eindhoven after Rangers played out a 2-2 Champions League play-off first leg draw with PSV at Ibrox.

The pair met at this stage last year and the stakes of group stage football on the continent's top table proved a tantalising prize once more. Peter Bosz visitors had more possession in the second half but were left kicking themselves at the break as a sloppy error allowed Abdallah Sima to pounce and fire a curling effort into the top corner.

Michael Beale's side couldn't hold onto the lead as Ibrahim Sangare fired PSV back onto level terms before Rabbi Matondo continued his renaissance mission by putting his team ahead once more. But they were left with a repeat of the first leg last season when Luuk de Jong pounced from a corner to head home, setting up a straight shootout in Eindhoven. Here is how we rated the players.

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Rangers player ratings

JACK BUTLAND: Repeatedly took some of the heat off his team as he came confidently for a series crosses but couldn’t get anywhere near PSV’s goals. 7

JAMES TAVERNIER: Rangers’ Swiss saviour with his equaliser against Servette but will regret his failing to score just after half-time as Gers failed to go two-up. 6

CONNOR GOLDSON: Had to be on his toes from the off as PSV popped the ball about around his box. Put in his usual performance filled with brave blocks and vital headers. 7

JOHN SOUTTAR: Biggest test of his Gers career so far and did OK. Looking more and more assured beside Goldson. Will need to repeat it next week. 6 .

BORNA BARSIC: The left-back found himself ragged in as PSV worked the ball from left to right before Sangare pounced for the equaliser. 6

RYAN JACK: Right up for the fight as he proved as he got involved in a little flare up with Noa Lang. Kept his calm and composure during frantic first-half as PSV looked to take command. 7

JOSE CIFUENTES: Shown some positive signs in first few games in Scotland but the Ecuadorian can’t have played in as many encounters as quick as this in the MLS. Spent much of the game working backwards. 6

NICO RASKIN: A shaky start from the Belgian but it was his foraging that helped Dessers steal possession as Sima rattled home the opener. 6

TODD CANTWELL : Another night when the former Norwich playmaker took on the responsibility of driving his side forward. Played a key role as Matondo put Gers ahead. Took a yellow after tripping on Saibari. 7

ABADALLAH SIMA: The on-loan Brighton frontman is a bit of an enigma. Clunky in possession, at times wasteful with his passing but what a finish he produced to slam Rangers in front. 7

CYRIEL DESSERS: On his heels as he failed to read a teasing Cantwell ball but got on his bike and forced Sangare into the mistake that brought about Sima’s stunner. Pass for Matondo was inch-perfect. 7

Subs:

RABBI MATONDO (for Sima, 67): Finally announced himself as a Rangers player as he burst off the bench to net with a classy finish. 5

JOHN LUNDSTRAM (for Jack, 67): Couldn’t help Gers hold onto their lead. 2

DANILO (for Dessers, 80): Big chance when Lammers ball broke to him five yards out. 2

KIERAN DOWELL (for Cifuentes, 80): On after De Jong’s equaliser. 2

SAM LAMMERS (for Cantwell, 86): Saw big chance parried by Benitez. 2

PSV: BenItez; Teze, Ramalho, Boscagli, Dest; Sangare, Veerman, Saibari (Til 69); Bakayoko, Lang, De Jong. Subs: Drommel, Waterman, Sambo, Tillman, Pepi, Ghazi, Schouten, Babadi, Land, Vertessen.

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