Rangers returned to winning ways with an emphatic Europa League victory over Steaua Bucharest at Ibrox.
Vaclav Cerny’s double and strikes from Tom Lawrence and Hamza Igamane secured a much-needed group stage win against the Romanians. And it eased the pressure on boss Philippe Clement following their Premiership defeat to Kilmarnock on Sunday. Gers now sit on six points in the Europa League, with an away tie against Olympiakos up next in November.
Clement needed a response from his side after their woeful 1-0 loss at Rugby Park. And this game was virtually wrapped up after 45 minutes. Steaua had a goal harshly ruled out early on for a foul on keeper Jack Butland. But after that, the Ibrox men took control and Lawrence’s scuffed shot from a Cerny cut-back crept in to put them ahead.
The Czech winger then got in on the act, pouncing on a Steaua mistake to curl home a magnificent second goal. Rangers put the game to bed after the interval, with Cerny slotting home a superb solo effort to make it 3-0 before sub Igamane notched his first for the club.
Sometimes the little things can make the biggest difference.
That was proven here as Rangers grafted their way to a deserved Europa League win. At Kilmarnock on Sunday, Clement’s team lacked passion, desire, intensity and hunger. And by suddenly upping those levels against Steaua and playing with a bit of energy, they got their rewards. It’s not rocket science. With the home crowd behind them, they pressurised the Romanians into mistakes and took full advantage. Clement’s side didn’t produce a brilliant brand of football, despite some fantastic goals. But they worked their backsides off from the first whistle and played with an urgency that was sadly lacking in Ayrshire. They got back to basics here and it paid dividends for them.
The enigma that is Tom Lawrence
Clement’s preferred pick in the number 10 role has undoubted ability and an eye for a goal – this was his fifth of the campaign already. But in other games, like at Rugby Park on Sunday, he hasn’t contributed nearly enough. There’s definitely a player in there but whether he can produce it on a consistent basis remains to be seen. With his contract expiring next summer, the club have a dilemma on their hands over whether to try and get him signed up again or allow him to leave on a free and off the wage bill.
Lucky Butland
Clement publicly criticised his keeper Jack Butland at the weekend for his part in Kilmarnock’s winning goal – saying his number one ‘was caught in no-man’s land’. The comments felt harsh given the job Butland has done for Rangers since arriving at Ibrox. But early on here, the Englishman almost put his team in serious trouble with a horrendous bit of hesitation which allowed Steaua to score – only for it to be ruled out for a foul. Butland got lucky. If it had stood, the Ibrox crowd would have turned and this result might have been different. The last thing Clement needs right now is one of his top men going off the boil.
Heat turned down for now
This result will ease the pressure that was beginning to pile on to the Rangers manager and boy did Clement need a victory. But we’ve been here before with this side. Just when you think they might have turned a corner, they quickly steer off track again. And ultimately, Clement has to find a consistent level of performance in the Scottish Premiership again to survive at Ibrox. Another victory at home against Union St Gilloise should see them progress to the next phase of the Europa League.
But they’ll have much tougher tests than Steaua in this competition, with Spurs, Man United, Olympiakos and Nice on the horizon. It’s the bread and butter games which should concern Clement more and after St Mirren on Sunday, he’s got Aberdeen next Wednesday night. Irrespective of this Euro win, if things don’t go to plan at Pittodrie he’ll start to feel the heat again.
Rask more like it
When Clement arrived at Ibrox, most folk felt Nico Raskin would become an integral part of his side being a Belgian Under-21 star. But the midfielder has failed to shine so far for his countryman and struggled to nail down a place in the manager’s starting line-up. Raskin has to be producing more for Rangers but he needs an opportunity and run of games. He was restored to the side last night and was at it from the off. He played with intensity, tenacity – and showed his quality. It’s Clement’s job to get that out of him on a regular basis.
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