Sport

Rangers player ratings as Butland and Silva shine in Benfica thriller

Published

7 months ago

March 8, 2024

Jack Butland: Another terrific showing from the big English keeper. A sensational double stop kept his side in it moments after going a goal up. Gave the ball away just before the break with a sloppy throw-out but made amends with an outstanding save from David Neves with an outstretched boot. 8

James Tavernier: Not his type of game. Had a real challenge on his hands with multiple Benfica livewires occupying spaces in the right flank. Didn’t get forward too often to show the quality he has in an attacking sense. 6

Connor Goldson: Defended like a lion in so many circumstances as the Super Liga side poured forward in wave after wave of attack. Let himself down when he bizarrely planted a header under no pressure into the top corner of the net to give Benfica an equaliser. 7

John Souttar: Gave away a penalty when the ball hit an outstretched arm from his own header. It’s hard to criticise the big defender given the state of the handball rule which seems to penalise these non-deliberate incidents. Solid otherwise. 7

Ridvan Yilmaz: Defended well up against the lively, lightning-fast Neves. Booked for a cynical, but necessary challenge on the dangerous Joao Neves. 7

John Lundstram: Was in the wars taking a bad head knock towards the end of the first half. He put his body on the line all night and got stuck in. Nearly sold the jerseys with a moment of madness in giving the ball away cheaply in the second 45 and, understandably, tired as the game went on. 7

Mohamed Diomande: Like his midfield partner, he did a power of dirty work in the engine room. The Ivorain’s telescopic limbs nudged the ball away from an opponent by millimetres countless times on the night. Has shown he’s good going forward so far in his Ibrox career but underlined his defensive credentials here. 7

Tom Lawrence: A brilliant late run was matched by his header to give his side the lead. Has made a big difference since his return from injury adding a genuine goal threat from midfield. Used the ball well and was always a threat around the box. 8

Dujon Sterling: The utility man helped Tavernier with defensive duties but also got forward at will and always looked a good bet to rob the ball high up the pitch. Showed a striker-like instinct to roll the ball past Trubin for Rangers second goal. Continues to look like an inspired signing. 8

Fabio Silva: His best game in a Rangers shirt and growing with every game. Lovely wing play to create the opener and popped up just before half time to create the second. Philippe Clement will be delighted to have seen the young Portuguese make such an impact on his return to Portugal. 8

Cyriel Dessers: A decent showing from the Nigerian, even if he didn’t get any service. Never one to shirk effort, he worked his backside off pressing the Benfica backline. 7