Group A, matchday 3 and Rangers welcome Brondby for this must win Europa league match. No wins in two is extremely difficult, no wins in three almost unthinkable so it’s about getting the result tonight and a performance wouldn’t be unwelcome either.
The late Hearts equaliser stings from Saturday but if we create that many chances again tonight then I think we will be just fine. Saturday was a freak in that way, I don’t think or I hope that we won’t miss that man clear opportunities again. As I said in my articles this week, I don’t believe we are that far away from clicking and an elevated performance from one or two will really kick us on again.
It’s obvious our frontmen have been short and we need a return, I’m backing Alfredo to get his 100th this evening and I’m backing a Rangers performance so as you read this I sincerely hope that has come to pass.
Tonight has something a bit different also even as we wait here in the pre match build up, the Brondby fans have brought an atmosphere and I think that will help Ibrox and our support, all of a sudden it feels like a proper European game.
Two changes for Rangers tonight, Glen Kamara is suspended so in comes Steven Davis and Scott Wright drops out for Kemar Roofe. I’ve never been fully sold on Kemar, I know he is a tremendous player but for me he has more to show so I hope that shows this evening.
Brondby are by all accounts dangerous, Mikael Uhre the frontman dangerman and his pace will cause the issues. They play five at the back and very much a counter attacking style and will be no mugs. Rangers don’t have a great record against Scandinavian sides so I’m hopeful that tonight will improve on that.
Let’s hope we kick on and get the performance we need. C’mon the Rangers!
First half action –
25 seconds – A long ball and the pace of Hure is evident as he is in on right hand side but blazes a bouncing ball over.
4-6 mins – Better from Rangers and Aribo looks in the mood, Lundstram has an effort which is blocked, we keep it alive and Aribo drives forward then has an effort over. Never criticise shots and that’s more positive from us.
15 mins – game yet to burst into life, a midfield battle with both teams probing but offering little.
I7 mins – GOOOOAAAALLLL! Rangers first corner brilliantly swung in by Tav and Balogun powers home brilliantly! That had a little bit of Gough about it! 1-0 Rangers!
27 mins – Chance! Brondby capitilise on Rangers indecision down the left and the cut back finds an unmarked Pavlovic who blazes high and wide, what a miss that is. Really slack by Rangers.
29 mins – Caution 🟡 Lundstram booked for dissent.
32 mins – GOOAAALLL! A Var assisted goal for Rangers! Lovely by Tav and Aribo as Morelos header is saved and Roofe taps in. The flag is up and there’s a long wait before the goal is given! 2-0!
35-45 mins – All Rangers without creating too much, all the ball and pressure but nothing of note.
45 mins – POST! Lovely by Aribo who flicks it to Alfredo who has a shot which bounces across keeper and off the upright! So unlucky!
45 mins – A Rangers free kick is swung in by Tavernier and Roofe pokes it towards goal but easy for the keeper!
Half time – Rangers 2 Brondby 0
Summary – Very good from Rangers and the second goal makes a world of difference, now zipping it about and could have been a third had Alfredo had just a bit more luck.
Joe Aribo has really impressed me, moved the ball and carried it so well. Has won a lot of the ball and used it well, at the heart of the second goal with a wonderful one two with Tav, Morelos so unlucky but his luck will change, Roofe taps it home and VAR helps us.
A good half but we said that Saturday. Need to kick on again and another goal kills this. Sparta beating Lyon really doesn’t help us unfortunately but focus on ourselves and we will see what comes of it.
All about our second half so let’s kick on, so far so good.
46 mins – CHANCE! Slack pass back from Borna, Uhre is in and puts it wide! What a miss again!
46-50 mins – Slow restart and Brondby pushing, should have one back, corner and pressure comes to nothing though.
57 mins – Penalty shout! Aribo dances into the box and is taken down, looked a great shout but nothing doing. Better few minutes as Rangers look to get to grips with game again. I can’t believe that’s not been given.
63 mins – Change! Leon Balogun is down holding his Hamstring, not a good sight for us. He hobbles off to be replaced by Calvin Bassey, it’s makeshift again at CB.
66 mins – Tav strong running and lovely one two with Alfredo ends with Hagi’s shot being blocked at edge of box. Good football from Rangers.
69 mins – loose from Brondby and Morelos capitalises but his effort is easy for the goalkeeper.
70 mins – Change – No 100th goal for Alfredo as he is replaced by Fashion Sakala.
(Lyon now lead Sparta 2-3 after being two down, that’s better for us…)
77 mins – Triple Change – Scott Arfield, Scott Wright and Juninho Bacuna come on. Off goes kemar Roofe, Ianis Hagi and John Lundstram.
80 mins – Bar! Lovely footwork by Scott Wright and his cut back finds Arfield who hits the bar! Excellent by both and that’s unlucky!
82 mins – CHANCE! Excellent step into midfield by Bassey who releases Fashion and his pace takes him in on goal but he hits the keeper who spreads himself well. Remains 2-0.
90 mins – Late Aribo effort is routinely saved by the goalkeeper.
Full time – Rangers 2 Brondby 0
Summary – Very good nights work and we are back in this European group. Much closer to the expected all round levels and probably closest to the most consistent performance we have had.
Saying that, Brondby missed two guilt edge chances and in fairness we could easily have had more also with bar and post struck as well as clear chance for Sakala.
However this is a really good nights work for Rangers and the result, and performance, is welcomed. We will have to go to Denmark and get something and on tonight I fancy us, but we will have to put in a performance.
However that’s a lot better and closer to our levels and I’m much happier with that all round.
On to Sunday and a trip to Paisley!
Good nights work Rangers 👏🏻
Four Lads Had A Dream 