Wright direction as Rangers show flashes in France
Despite U-turns and festivals of light, Van Bronckhorst’s men manage an admirable point in Lyon dead rubber
RANGERS earned their point and Giovanni van Bronckhorst picked up some positives. It was a case of job done once again.
A deflected Scott Wright strike was undone by Calvin Bassey’s own goal as the champions rounded off their Group A campaign with a share of the spoils against Lyon.
The result was inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but there were aspects of the performance that will please and encourage Van Bronckhorst on his fifth match in charge.
This fixture could never be written off as an inconvenience, but the feel around the buildup and the team selection told its own story. This was a game Rangers wanted to win, but the one against Hearts on Sunday is a clash they cannot afford to lose.
Victory over Prague on matchday five was the perfect manner for Van Bronckhorst to begin his reign at Ibrox. Crucially, it ensured there was only pride and prize money at stake here.
As the Dutchman and his side prepared for this final Group A outing in recent days, they were able to watch on as the knockout round draw took shape.
The list of possible opponents is as daunting as it is exciting and the likes of Barcelona, Porto, Sevilla or Borussia Dortmund lie in wait. The least glamorous name in the hat – that of Sheriff Tiraspol – have beaten the biggest of them all this season after overcoming Real Madrid in the Bernabeu during their Champions League campaign.
The draw at least offers opportunity for Rangers. The chance to conquer such tests should be relished rather than feared and Van Bronckhorst will no doubt look forward to whatever challenge awaits come February.
The Europa League has provided many memories for Rangers and their fans over the last few years. Few trips have caused as many headaches as this one, right enough.
Those who did make the journey did so after a week of uncertainty and U-turns. After initially being told they were not welcome in Lyon, a late change saw plans reinstated as Van Bronckhorst’s side benefitted from the sight and sound of their supporters once again.
The travelling crowd brought noise and colour to the Groupama Stadium as a pre-match pyrotechnic show – accompanied by a banner which read ‘Rangers festival of lights’ – ensured they made their presence felt.
But the first half was something of a slow burner for Van Bronckhorst’s side as they took time to grow into the encounter. Once they did, they held their own.
Chances were at a premium for both sides, but Rangers’ patience paid off as Wright scored just five minutes before the break. There was a dose of good fortune about it, but neither those on the park nor in the stands of a Rangers persuasion would mind that.
The champions lacked any real flair in an attacking sense for large swathes of the half, but there was a calmness about their approach and a neat move would pay dividends for them.
Ryan Kent dinked the ball over two defenders and into the path of Glen Kamara. As he reached the box, a deft shift ensured he had time and space to assess his options and pick his pass.
Wright was the chosen one. From the edge of the area, he fired in a low shot that always had a chance of causing Julian Pollersbeck problems. Ultimately, it was the intervention of his own man that beat him as a deflection off Damien Da Silva rendered him helpless.
Rangers had a goal that hadn’t exactly been coming. Ianis Hagi had wasted a promising situation with an aimless effort from distance, while Borna Barisic was denied by Pollersbeck after nipping in to win possession.
The closest Van
Bronckhorst’s side had come apart from that was an effort from Kemar Roofe as his vision and execution were thwarted by the woodwork.
Kent was again involved as he made the move happen from the left flank and Roofe was fully aware of Pollersbeck’s position and the angles involved as he tried his luck from distance.
The striker is, of course, no stranger to an audacious goal. He would be left frustrated on this occasion, though, as low effort only curled in enough to clip the post.
Those moments were promising for Rangers. It wasn’t an effervescent performance, but Lyon had little joy of their own during a largely lacklustre first 45 minutes.
Karl Toko Ekambi tested
Jon McLaughlin early on as he cut in from the left flank in a move that was similar to his goal at Ibrox. Thankfully for Rangers, the end result wasn’t the same this time around as McLaughlin saved comfortably.
Standing in for Allan
McGregor, the keeper may have been expecting a busier evening. But Rangers were largely comfortable, with Bassey again an increasingly composed figure at the heart of the defensive line.
It was unfortunate, then, that the 21-year-old would have an inadvertent hand in the goal that brought Lyon level just a couple of minutes after the restart.
Van Bronckhorst can’t criticise Bassey after Rayan Cherki’s powerful drive across target deflected off him and beyond McLaughlin. He will surely be frustrated at the manner in which Cherki was allowed to get into such a promising position, however.
Van Bronckhorst had opted to make his first change at the interval as Steven Davis replaced Glen Kamara. Come the hour mark, it was time for two more switches as Scott Arfield was introduced for
Wright and Juninho Bacuna took over from Hagi.
By the time Roofe’s night came to an end and Joe Aribo was given the closing stages of the action, Rangers were fortunate not to have found themselves trailing.
It was Lyon that looked the most likely to strike again. From a corner, Castello Lukeba really should have as he failed to find the target after rising well inside the area.
The game was there to be won for both sides and Lyon will feel they could, and probably should, have done just that after a flurry of late chances. Rangers looked happy with their point.
In the end, that is what they would be rewarded with as
Van Bronckhorst made it five undefeated. All the steps have been forward thus far, and this certainly wasn’t one back.
Now, all attentions turn to Tynecastle. Rangers have achieved their Europa League ambition once again but it is the quest for title 56 that remains, as always, the priority at Ibrox.