Rangers FC, under Pedro Caixinha, had a slow start of their 2017-18 Scottish Premiership campaign. The Gers are already six points away from top-placed Celtic and Aberdeen with the later is behind on goal difference. The Glasgow giants, however, resumed their season tonight following the international break at McDiarmid Park against Saint Johnstone FC who were enjoying a productive campaign so far and are placed third in the league jointly with their Friday night opponents (only behind on goal difference). Caixinha was hopeful of a dominating display in order to clinch a win and gather all three points from their away trip to keep on chasing for a title hunt.
The game proved to be a one-sided affair and the Gers put up a stellar show to register a comfortable 3-0 win.
Below are the Rangers FC players rated from their win against the Saints.
Wes Foderingham: 7
Pulled off a great stop to deny Graham Cummins minutes before Carlos Pena’s opening goal in the first half. Was calm and composed throughout the game and looked confident while defending set-pieces.
James Tavernier: 8.5
The right-back was a constant threat down the flank with his overlap runs and link-up play with Candeias. He was outstanding with his crosses and was the contributor of Pena’s brace that influenced them to seal a massive win.
Fabio Cardoso: 7.5
Cardoso never lost concentration while performing his defensive responsibilities, tracked well, closed down and blocked number of St. Johnstone’s attacking threats throughout the game.
Bruno Alves: 7
The skipper returned with an impressive display following few weeks of absence due to injury. Struggled initially but slowly contained the Saints attack by consuming the pressure.
Declan John: 6.5
The Cardiff City loanee scored a brace and scripted a comeback against Hamilton Academical in their last outing. The Welshman, however, had an average outing as he should have combined more often with Windass and contributed more offensively. Performed his defensive duties as he tracked back and stopped their opponents from building up counter-attacking threats several times.
Jason Holt: 7.5
Holt started the game in place of suspended Ryan Jack and did a commanding job in the middle of the park with his passing, pressing and through balls. He set the Gers’ third of the night converted by Graham Dorrans.
Graham Dorrans: 8
Dorrans was a massive influence in Rangers’ midfield as he kept on spreading the game into the flanks and also netted the third and the final goal of the game assisted by his midfield partner Jason Holt.
Daniel Candeias: 8
The Portuguese winger was menacing down the right-hand flank with his runs, crosses and smart one-twos with teammates. He and Tavernier constituted constant attacking threats using the flank and opened up St. Johnstone’s defence that struggled against his Pace and crosses.
Carlos Pena: 9
The Mexican is slowly settling down in new surroundings and delivered the best so far in Rangers’ colours as he netted a brace and impressed with his physicality inside the Saints box. Pena was impressive with his passing, movements as well as positioning and received a standing ovation from the travelling fans while leaving the pitch in closing minutes to be replaced by Ross McCrorie.
Josh Windass: 6.5
Windass had glimpses of his class in the first half as he was close to finding the net with his shooting from distance. He had a quiet second half though and was replaced by Aaron Nemane in closing seconds.
Alfredo Morelos: 7
Morelos could not find the back of the net but was a constant threat inside the box with his tricky runs, movements and physical presence. He did well to win fouls and his trickery forced the referee to show the Saints’ skipper Steven Anderson his second yellow of the night which resulted in an inevitable sent off. Was replaced by Eduardo Herrera in closing seconds.
Substitutes
Ross McCrorie: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Eduardo Herrera: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Aaron Nemane: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
