It’s a humble beginning for Pedro’s Ibrox arrivals
FIRST impressions matter. And for a capacity crowd inside Ibrox last night, there was an initial opportunity to survey the results of the club’s intensive summer transfer business. The squad revolution orchestrated by Pedro Caixinha will clearly progress in stages. With Bruno Alves still on Confederations Cup duty with Portugal, only three of the other seven new signings started this perfunctory win. Two more came off the bench in the second half. Additional intrigue was also offered by the sighting of two faces on the comeback trail. Sportsmail’s MARK WILSON was at Ibrox to cast an eye over them all.
NEW IN BLUE RYAN JACK (below right)
A boyhood Rangers fan, Jack’s recent history at Ibrox hadn’t been particularly kind. The midfielder was sent off for two bookings when Aberdeen lost here in December — before being confined to the sidelines by a groin injury five months later when the Dons recorded their first Govan win in 26 years.
This was a somewhat smoother occasion for the 25-year-old. He was signed by Caixinha primarily to offer defensive screening and tactical discipline in the heart of midfield. Greater tests lie ahead on that front, but Jack went about his work with typical efficiency.
He often dropped between the centre-backs to help initiate moves. That meant he saw plenty of possession and, for the most part, it was smartly enough used. One well-timed challenge halted a threatening break in the second period.
FABIO CARDOSO (left)
The 23-year-old arrived with a good pedigree, having represented Portugal at various youth levels up to Under-20 and come through the system at Benfica. A £1.3million outlay was made with the intention of combining him with Alves, his far more experienced compatriot. That partnership will have to wait. Last night, Cardoso played the senior role alongside young Scot David Bates. He looked composed in possession and strong in the air, but proper assessment of his defensive attributes will clearly have to wait. Progres Niederkorn offered more of a threat after the break, creating a couple of scares in pursuit of an equaliser, but remained pretty rudimentary in their attacks. DALCIO (right) Euciodalcio Gomes, to give him his full name, is perhaps the least well-known of all Caixinha’s summer additions to date. Just 21, the forward’s arrival on a season-long loan from Benfica’s B team showed the Ibrox manager had worked the full range of his contacts in his homeland. Dalcio started on the left side of the Rangers attack, occasionally switching sides with Kenny Miller. He displayed the odd nice touch, but struggled to make much of a genuine impact.
DANIEL CANDEIAS (left)
Replaced Jason Holt in the 59th minute and showed promising glimpses of a direct, pacey style on the right flank. The £600,000 signing from Benfica burrowed into the box before seeing a low shot blocked by the legs of goalkeeper Sebastian Flauss. He followed that with a forward burst and inviting cross that really should have found a taker.
ALFREDO MORELOS (above right)
On for the final 14 minutes to impress in place of the unconvincing Martyn Waghorn at the apex of the Rangers attack, the Colombian signed from HJK Helsinki had little opportunity to show his worth.
AND TWO WHO ARE FINALLY BACK… NIKO KRANJCAR (right)
The 32-year-old hadn’t played since suffering cruciate ligament damage last October, just as he appeared to be finding form and fitness. He proved the technique that won 81 caps for Croatia remains intact. As does his speed of thought. It was Kranjcar’s ultra-quick free-kick that released Kenny Miller to slam home the solitary goal after 37 minutes. He wasn’t far away from adding one of his own. A flying header over the top showed Kranjcar’s aerial ability doesn’t quite match that exhibited when the ball is on the turf. Another firm, low drive was clutched by Flauss. Even without his name on the scoresheet, Kranjcar was still easily the classiest performer on display. Offered some freedom in an advanced midfield role, his control and range of passing sparkled at times. The opposition was obviously of humble standard but, looking leaner than when he first arrived in Glasgow, the former Tottenham star could yet be an effective asset for Caixinha if he has the right tactical structure surrounding him.
JORDAN ROSSITER (below left)
Replaced Kranjcar in the 68th minute to make his first appearance since late August of last year. Now recovered from a longstanding back problem, Rangers will hope he can finally fulfil expectations.
The former Liverpool kid was tenacious in beside Jack and the victim of fouls that saw both Oliver Thill and Adrian Ferino booked by Swedish referee Mohammed AlHakim.