Steven Gerrard’s Rangers side fell to a rather lacklustre 1-0 defeat to Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen tonight, as a second-half goal from Moussa Diaby proved to be the difference between the teams. Although the aggregate score coming into the tie was 3-1, Gerrard might’ve been hoping that they could pull off a surprise by naming a fairly strong side for the occasion. Although the defenders protected the box well for the most part, their attacking penetration was far too limited, and questions have to be asked about the qualities of Alfredo Morelos. With the Europa League now out of the equation, the Ibrox club can once again focus entirely on denying Celtic their tenth straight Premiership title.
Here Are The Rangers Player Ratings Vs Bayer Leverkusen:
Rangers Player Ratings Vs Bayer Leverkusen
Allan McGregor – 6
The veteran stopper made a couple of smart saves over the course of the ninety, but he was fortunate not to concede more goals than he did. Played a couple of loose balls upfield too.
James Tavernier – 6
The skipper was given a torrid time down the flank by the pace of Diaby as he left the Rangers man for dead on the lead up to his goal. Tried to make attacking inroads, but was constantly pegged back.
Connor Goldson – 7
Commanded his back-line well, but was caught out on a few occasions by the brilliance of the Leverkusen attackers. Made multiple key clearances and had a headed effort cleared off the line as well.
Filip Helander – 7
The Swede put in a fairly dominant shift in the heart of the defence but lost his man on a couple of instances. Won some crucial headers in the box and tried to find threatening passes out from the back.
Borna Barisic – 6
The full-back was unable to affect the tie in an attacking perspective and was forced to do a lot of tracking back against the dangerous Havertz tonight. Lost his man on multiple occasions as well.
Ryan Jack – 6.5
Jack put in a composed display in the heart of midfield for the Scottish side tonight. Moved the ball around with confidence whenever they picked up possession and worked hard at the back.
Steven Davis – 5.5
The veteran midfielder wasn’t allowed to come into the game as the creativity of the Leverkusen attackers proved to be too much for him to match up with. A couple of neat passes, but passive otherwise.
Joe Aribo – 6.5
The Nigerian tried his absolute hardest to have an impact on the match, but he wasn’t helped too much by the Gers’ attackers. Looked confident and tried to create attacking inroads.
Ryan Kent – 6
The speedster was forced to do a lot of defending as the Leverkusen attacking was relentless all through the ninety. Had a couple of good attacking situations but to no real effect.
Brandon Barker – 6
The youngster tried to run in behind the Leverkusen back-line on a few occasions, but his output didn’t really match up to his spirit. Like Kent; Barker was forced to provide added cover at the back too.
Alfredo Morelos – 5
The Colombian looked like a shadow of his usual self tonight as he was constantly outmuscled by the Leverkusen defenders. Failed to hold the ball up and never really looked like scoring either.
Substitutes
Ianis Hagi – 6
Other than a couple of moment of quality, the summer acquisition was unable to have an impact in the final half hour of the game. Tried to get forward whenever he got the ball but wasn’t really helped out.
Jordan Jones – 6
The wide-man tried to link up play and make things happen in the attack, but he wasn’t able to impact the fixture in the manner he would’ve wanted. Tried to press the ball high up the pitch though.
Scott Arfield – 6
The midfielder came in the late stages of the tie and tried to move the ball around for the Scottish side. Some decent passes, but nothing he tried seemed to be coming off.
Greg Stewart – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
Nathan Patterson – NA
Didn’t have time to make an impact.
