Philippe Clement got Rangers‘ Europa League campaign with a dominant display against Malmo.
The Scottish Premiership side had never defeated the Swedes amid a series of notable European flops – but goals from Nedim Bajrami and sub Ross McCausland shook off the hoodoo. The only disappointment on the night was the they didn’t rack up more goals as they secured their first three points of the revamped Europa League format.
Bajrami opened the scoring inside the first minute before Northern Ireland international McCausland came off the bench to clinch it. The manager had a host of top performers in his team – and the pundits were purring over the impressive display as the Light Blues’ look to shake off their early-season struggles.
But what did the pundits have to say on the showing in Scandinavia? Record Sport takes a look.
Chris Iwelumo
“They managed the game very, very well and used the ball well. They created plenty of opportunities and if you are going to be critical that is the only thing going against them – it could have been four or five. But the team and the manager have answered a lot of questions tonight. They set the bar.”
Stephen Thompson
“As a team, Souttar and Propper defended the box well when Malmo actually decided to attack the box. I think defensively to get three clean sheets in a row coming off the back of the Old Firm game has been very good. And I think the team can take so much confidence from going away in Europe and winning. Yes, I know Malmo weren’t great opposition but that doesn’t matter. You have got to do your own bits. I think it was their best performance of the season.”
Ally McCoist
“It’s a wonderful performance and a wonderful result – but in isolation that’s all it is. You have to build on it. You have to take something from it. It has been a bizarre time behind the scenes at Rangers and it has created a lot of uncertainty. The lads on the pitch have to attempt to put that behind them and look at that result, look at that performance and say that is what we are capable of – because that is they best I have seen them.”
Kris Boyd
“It’s the first time Rangers have beaten Swedish side and it was comfortable enough. I think the only worry for Philippe Clement would be that he would want that ruthlessness in front of goal.
“The further on you go in this competition you are going to have to take your chance. I am going to say something, it’s cheaper to book up for Bilbao now rather than wait until closer to May. That’s where the final is, and Rangers are on their way.”
Neil McCann
“I thought as a whole the defended well. They held their line well. They were strong in terms of their organisation and leadership. Although Malmo didn’t test them defensively and were pretty basic, it was pleasingly surprising. They are in a position if they can go now and beat Lyon – wow, that would give a shot win the arm to them.”
Gary Breen
“Even the question from the reporter after the game was on Celtic – so it’s a constant reminder of how far behind the are of them. But, they can only deal with what is in front of them and I thought they acquitted themselves well tonight.”
Scott Arfield
“You need a moment where you feel as though you have arrived. He (Ross McCausland) had it three or four times last season but this season he has still not got up to grips yet. But these are the moments that you look back on and think ‘this could be the catalyst to go forward’ He is lovely boy who works ever so hard. He knows what he is good at and what he is not good at. And on the thing that he is not really getting to grips with, he just works and works (on it) to give you moments like that you can depend on.”
Alan Hutton
“Defensively they were solid and had a game plan. They didn’t allow Malmo any time to go and play. My tiny little criticism is that they have to be ruthless and finish games off. I know they did (in the end) but they could go and get three or four.”