A strike from Cyril Dessers earned Rangers a commendable point away at Olympiacos. Phillippe Clement’s side turned in an astute tactical display, and could even have taken all three points had they been more clinical in the final third.
After frustrating the hosts in the first half, during which Cessers missed a glorious chance, Olympiacos broke the deadlock early in the second period. Ayoub El Kaabi was the man to get the goal, blasting high into the net from Chiquinho’s header across goal.
But the visitors soon levelled, as Vaclav Cerny intercepted a pass before playing in Dessers, who kept his composure to place a shot into the bottom corner. As the game opened up late on, Rangers frequently threatened on the counter, but the under-pressure Clement, who dropped captain Marcus Tavernier for the game, can stil reflect on a positive result.
Express Sport rates the Rangers players….
Butland – 7
Could do little about El Kaabi’s goal, and otherwise wasn’t called upon to make a serious save. Commanded his area though and solid on crosses.
Sterling – 8
Bizarre. Dealt superbly with the threat of Gelson Martins and his side’s best player when, on 52 minutes, he was replaced despite not appearing injured. Clement’s explanation will be interesting.
Souttar – 8
Superb in the first half and put in one crucial close range block. Guilty of dropping too deep as the ball came in for the Olympiacos goal but still, a pivotal display.
Propper – 7
Like Souttar, turned in a commanding display. Assured in possession and pretty much faultless over the 90 minutes, especially as the hosts pressed in the dying moments.
Jefte – 6
A couple of misplaced passes in the first half but improved thereafter. High work rate too.
Barron – 7
Got amongst the Olympiacos midfield and did some serious disruption. Also composed in possession and turned in a mature performance.
Raskin – 6
One misplaced ball out of defence nearly led to an Olympiacos goal in the first half. But made up for his error with a tireless display, and threatened going forward.
Cerny – 7
Teed up Dessers in the first half and the striker should have done better. Continued to create in attack and featured in most of the away counter attacks – including the through ball for the goal.
Diomande – 7
Another who looked a threat when Rangers went forward. Wasn’t afraid to track back either, although bundled off the ball in the final seconds and would have been relieved to see the attack peter out.
Bajrami – 6
Was everywhere, but if only his final ball could have been more accurate. Too often the final pass was close to coming off but intercepted, and could have done better with one effort just outside the area.
Dessers – 8
Denied by away keeper Konstantinos Tzolakis from close range in the first half and also thwarted when clean through, although that would have been ruled offside anyway. A threat from the off though, ran the channels, and his finish was sublime.
Substitutes
Kasanwirjo (for Sterling, ‘52) – 5
The decision to bring him on for Sterling was strange, and he struggled to get into the game.
McCausland (for Cerny, ‘88) – 6
Came on too late to make an impact.
Tavernier (for Bajrami, ‘88) – 6
A body blow to be dropped. Sent on to see out the final few minutes.