Morelos rises to the occasion in Croatia
OSIJEK 0 RANGERS 1 Substance over style but Gerrard’s men do the job after Colombian climbs high
SO far, so good. Another test has been passed by Rangers but the second hurdle hasn’t quite yet been overcome.
Victory against Osijek, courtesy of Alfredo Morelos’ first-half header, has Steven Gerrard’s side on course for the third round of the Europa League, however.
The performance was professional rather than swashbuckling but the win was more than deserved. Another clean sheet – the fourth in succession – and a goal for his main striker made this a satisfying night all round for Gerrard.
There is still work to be done for a side that remain very much a work in progress. Gerrard will have seen enough in his players, both individually and collectively, to be confident that Osijek can be seen off at Ibrox on Thursday, though, as Rangers look to maintain their momentum heading into the Premiership opener with Aberdeen a week on Sunday.
Gerrard delivered a straight-to-the-point analysis in the aftermath of the goalless draw with FK Shkupi last Tuesday evening and the message resonated through his squad and the Gers support. He expected better, and quickly.
The opening weeks of the season are all about progression – both on the park and through the rounds – for Rangers. Week by week, game by game, Gerrard’s side need to step it up as they prepare for the start of the Premiership and look to advance towards the Europa League group stages.
The work that he has done in the transfer market over the summer has transformed the look of the starting line-up and the squad and there were more new faces for the travelling fans to see in action in Croatia.
The back five of Allan McGregor, James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic and Jon Flanagan has been ever present so far this term and may only change if another centre-half is brought on board.
At the head of the attack, the absence of Umar Sadiq – the striker deemed not fit or sharp enough to travel – meant another start for Morelos. In behind, there were plenty of changes, though.
Lassana Coulibaly partnered Ryan Jack in midfield as he made his debut, while Ryan Kent was also handed his bow. Ovie Ejaria and Jamie Murphy completed the Gers line-up.
While Ross McCrorie could perhaps feel hard done by at dropping out, Josh Windass and Daniel Candeias could have no complaints after sluggish starts to the season and Gerrard now has the options he is looking for in almost every area.
The performance here was important, but not as much as the result. In terms of both, Gerrard couldn’t have asked for much more.
The 38-year-old had been expecting Osijek to attempt to take the game to his side. It was the hosts who had the early chances, but Rangers broke the deadlock.
Osijek came close through Mirko Maric as he fired over after the Gers failed to clear a throw-in, while Alen Grgic’s effort was deflected just wide of target.
Just minutes later, the Croats should have taken the lead. A long ball over the top beat James and Borna Barisic did well to turn it back into the area but Maric could not get a clean enough connection to beat McGregor.
Rangers had been patient with their use of the ball until this point but debutant Kent injected a bit of pace to proceedings as he cut in from the left and unleashed a strike that was deflected just wide. Within seconds, Rangers had scored.
Murphy and Kent combined from a short corner and the ball was knocked back to Tavernier. His cross was pin-point and Morelos’ header clinical as he diverted the ball beyond Marko Malenica to give Rangers an early away goal.
Amid renewed chat and conjecture about his future at Ibrox and place i n Gerrard’s plans, it was a crucial moment for Morelos and his first goal in seven outings. Even the somewhat sullen striker would surely have mustered a smile.
The move was the best of the first half and Gerrard’s side were comfortable in a tight encounter. The noise of the Rangers fans cheering was quickly drowned out as the vocal home support looked to spur their side on once again.
Left-back Barisic was causing the Gers problems down the flank and it was his cross that led to Osijek’s next chance. Thankfully for Gerrard, McGregor was equal to a Robert Mudrazija strike from the edge of the area.
The keeper didn’t have to save an Ezekiel Henty header just before the break but the build-up would have infuriated Gerrard as Rangers played themselves into trouble and allowed Osijek to break and win a corner.
Gerrard will have seen enough to be confident Osijek can be seen off
It was the last chance of the half, but a sign that Rangers still had work to do.
Within three minutes of the restart, Rangers had survived another couple of scares. Tavernier was in the right place at the right time to block a powerful drive on the angle from Petar Bockaj, while Henty should have hit the target with a header from a few yards out.
Osijek were showing all the attacking intent at this stage but Rangers stood firm as the crosses and corners were fired into the area.
The second goal in the tie was already looking like being hugely important. That it didn’t arrive for Rangers on the night won’t overly concern Gerrard.
A shocking late challenge from Domagoj Pusic, the midfielder battering into the back of Ryan Jack in the air, left the 26-year-old requiring treatment. The home crowd began to voice their displeasure and their mood wasn’t helped when Bockaj fired wide from another Osijek corner.
Chances had become rather scarce at the other end, however. Rangers couldn’t be faulted for effort or efficiency but there was room for improvement in terms of their creativity.
The clock was now as important as the scoreboard for Rangers. Soon, both made for pleasant reading.
Osijek became increasingly desperate as 90 minutes came and went and it was the band of Gers fans that were celebrating at the end. Come next Thursday, they should be doing so once again.