Rangers progress post-Niederkorn

Relief for Ibrox faithful as Caixinha’s side put their Europa League hell behind them to give old Champions League rivals a real run for their money

RANGERS greats who took part in that 1-1 draw in Stade Velodrome back in 1993 which ended their Champions League dream talk about some regret. Here, in this hastilyarranged friendly, it was more relief. Since the doors were closed to the continent after the July 4 exit from the Europa League, the doom and gloom has been hard to shift from the minds of supporters fearful of a nightmare new era under Pedro Caixinha.

The vibes coming out of Rangers since that lowest of low nights in Luxembourg have not been positive. So this match-up, on a dismal day, was a welcome shaft of light.

Of course this was an improvement on the pitiful Progres Niederkorn experience. It simply could not have been any worse.

However, as Rangers came out of hiding, there was more than just Niko Kranjcar’s splendid free-kick and the result after facing a quality French top-flight team to draw positives from.

Last sighted stood in a bush in Luxembourg being barracked by Rangers fans, Caixinha has not been heard from since issuing an apology for the humiliating loss two-and-a-half weeks ago.

Yesterday, his work behind the scenes showed signs of blossoming amid the flurry of new arrivals and all the difficulties that come with the gelling process of nine new faces.

A Marseille side revving up for their European date against Belgian opposition Oostende on Thursday were playing the seventh friendly of their pre-season.

Against the team fifth in Ligue 1 last season, Rangers simply had to be sharper than against Progres. There was more commitment and aggression than in that chronic competitive bow.

Six new signings started. The three others appeared in the second half. More are on the way if Caixinha gets his wish, starting with Jamie Walker if Hearts can be persuaded to do a deal.

The first raft of new arrivals were asked to raise their game from the lowlights of Luxembourg to a Marseille side featuring one of last summer’s Euro 2016 stars Dimitri Payet.

Rangers had a major tournament regular to introduce themselves, however, one who celebrated victory with Portugal over France in Paris just over a year ago.

Supporters were banking on Bruno Alves and Graham Dorrans, the two new signings to link up with the squad since the Progres debacle, drawing drastic improvement from the European ties.

For Dorrans, this was a proud day. A lifelong Rangers fan, this was coming home. He waved to his family in the crowd right before kick-off then gave Patrice Evra no kind of Ibrox welcome.

Dorrans was booked within six minutes for a dangerous lunge that, by a quarter of an hour of play, had forced Evra off. Craig Thomson might have considered it a red in the heat of a Ladbrokes Premiership battle.

The timing of Dorrans’ tackling was far better to foil danger man Maxime Lopez’s darting early second-half run into the penalty area.

For Alves, there was instant adulation. The ‘Bruno, Bruno’ chants will be commonplace, just as they were when he was replaced by Danny Wilson on 57 minutes.

Those broad shoulders have much to bear in the months to come and this crowd has every confidence in him.

He is the figure with the pedigree to spread much-needed confidence through a group getting to know each other in the wake of a European result from hell.

For several new boys, he will be the leader of the Portuguese contingent still trying to come to terms with their new surroundings.

His reading of the game was key on a couple of occasions to stop Marseille’s main creative threat, ex-Newcastle wide man Florian Thauvin, from slicing open the home defence and staring down Wes Foderingham.

With curiosity and concern, 22,107 fans turned up to see if the gathering gloom over their prospects under Caixinha have any chance of clearing before the domestic test begins at Motherwell on August 6.

They were a patient, appreciative lot after a nervy opening, as demonstrated by the applause which greeted Daniel Candeias spoiling a fine move by being wasteful and wayward from 22 yards.

Behind that swift creative burst — and much of the best Rangers link play — was the most reliable figure in another summer of upheaval for the club, Kenny Miller.

Miller, asked to try a partnership with Eduardo Herrera, was typically exhaustive in his efforts and link play. The Mexican looks to be a man whose best work will be reserved for the penalty box. Can the service from wide areas provide him the ammunition?

Niko Kranjcar, previously used in a No10 role, started on the left of midfield for the first time since his Spurs days, with licence to drift inside.

From there he frequently tried sweeping crossfield balls to bring the right sided — and, on this evidence, rejuvenated — James Tavernier and winger Candeias into play.

From the middle of the park, however, was where he profited by scoring a stunning equaliser on 76 minutes. A clever flick forced the foul from Raphael Dias and the class of the Croat took over from there.

Championship year hero Tavernier had been terribly wasteful from free kicks last season and Kranjcar was keen to take over those duties. And his angles were spot on here with a superbly-crafted set piece that swerved away from Steve Mandanda’s reach.

This was a fine response to Marseille’s best spell in the early stages of the second half.

No sooner had Alves rested his 35-year-old frame on 57 minutes than Marseille had the ball in the net.

Lopez had wriggled through to collect and steer a finish past Foderingham but it was from an offside position.

Then a huge chance fell the way of substitute Alfredo Morelos on the hour. Miller’s hassling paid off as Hikora Sakai was lazy with a soft passback, which was seized on by the Colombian.

Morelos pulled the trigger early before defenders could close in, his shot causing Mandanda to cough up the ball.

Back to the feet of Morelos it went but, under pressure, he squirmed his rebound attempt under the keeper and half a yard wide.

The game had opened up and the visitors stole their 64th-minute opener on the break. Tavernier had bombed up the right flank, only to conjure a poor cross.

With his post vacated back in defence, the French took full advantage.

Morgan Sanson enjoyed the space to shape a delivery which was despatched in deadly fashion on the volley by Valere Germain.

A couple of excellent blocks from Foderingham ensured Rangers were able to avoid further losses.

Caixinha took the wraps off his most expensive recruit to give the fans a glimpse of Carlos Pena for the final 15 minutes and scorer Kranjcar a breather straight after his goal.

Now it’s on to England where the Rangers manager has teed up games with his fellow Portuguese coaches in the shape of Watford’s Marco Silva and Sheffield Wednesday’s Carlos Carvalhal.

More encouraging results like this one and the need to surround himself with friendly old faces won’t quite be as great.