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 Player ratings - Rangers
Neil Alexander Allan who? Another solid performance from
the back-up goalkeeper that suggests McGregor may have a job regaining his place next season. Displayed a calm assurance when dealing with corner kicks and cross balls and presented a solid barrier when fielding ambitious long-range shots. Only slip-up was to burst out of his box to try to contain the on-rushing Arshavin, a rush of blood that required Papac to spare his blushes. Left exposed at both Zenit goals and could nothing to keep
out either shot from close range 7
Kirk Broadfoot A day for defending for the converted
centre-half who loves to go forward. Coped well with a regular fleet
of Zenit attackers down his wing despite little or no support from Davis. Could possibly have conceded a penalty late in the first half after inadvertently blocking a cross with his arm and looked relieved to see the referee take no action. Stuck doggedly to his task throughout a difficult second half, rarely given
an opportunity to escape the confines of his own half 7
Carlos Cuellar Another
successful reprisal of the "None Shall Pass" motto from the steadfast Spaniard who proved indomitable
in the air and doughty on the ground. Frustration at the lack of movement ahead saw him gallop forward in
one telling cameo to try to turn incessant defence into attack but it would prove to be a one-off, instead sticking dutifully to his defensive chores. Did little to deserve be on
the losing team but greatness,
both at club and international level, surely awaits 8
David Weir The only Rangers player born the last time the club lifted a European trophy in 1972. Nullified the threat of Tekke with
all the experience you would
expect of someone who recently turned 38, allowing Cuellar to do most of the donkey work in and around the penalty box. Couldn't
get close enough to Denisov as
he worked a neat 1-2 with Arshavin
for the opening goal, perhaps mindful that any contact would
have meant a penalty and a
near-certain red card too 7
Sasa Papac Entered nosebleed territory with a rare foray down
the flank midway through the first half only to send his cross into the Rangers fans congregated behind Malafeev's goal, demonstrating
why, as a winger, he makes a
great defender. Demonstrated
once again his sixth sense for
being in the right place at the right time to head Arshavin's chip off
the goal line after a rare error of judgement by his goalkeeper. Sacrificed for Novo after 77
minutes as Rangers chased
an equaliser 7
Steven Davis The case for
making the Northern Irishman a permanent signing in the summer grows weaker with each passing game. Preferred to Novo on the right-hand side but offered neither
a persistent attacking threat nor defensive reinforcements as Broadfoot looked to contain both
Sirl and Arshavin. Sharpened up after digesting his half-time
oranges and played an astute pass through to Darcheville immediately after the break before again falling out of the picture 5
Brahim Hemdani Played in the UEFA Cup final four years ago with Marseille but demonstrated little of that European experience in another low-key performance. Offered
more of a defensive shield in the second half and made better use
of whatever possession fell his way but failed to track runners at the Zenit goal. Little surprise when he was taken off late in the game as Rangers desperately chased an equaliser 6
Barry Ferguson Asked to provide primary support to Darcheville in attack and was inches away from bagging what would have been a glorious early goal. Had Tymoschuk as a second shadow for most of the encounter, depriving him of the
sort of space and time he usually enjoys and requires to pick telling passes. Benefited from another chance in the opening moments
of the second half, seeing first a penalty claim turned down before launching a subsequent stab
at goal that seemed to strike
the outside of the post 6
Kevin Thomson Recovered
from injury to take his place beside Ferguson at the heart of the
midfield and was a key performer before fading late in the contest. Endless energy vital in the early stages as Rangers found themselves retreating deeper and
deeper into their own half, best exemplified by one crunching
tackle on Zyrianov. Wasted
Rangers' best chance of the first half, slamming a free kick straight
into the defensive wall, and was noticeably less influential as
the match wore on 7
Steven Whittaker Did most
of his best work inside his own
half, monitoring Zyrianov as intensely as Jack Bauer does terrorists. Consistently took up promising positions wide on the
left flank only to be regularly
ignored by both Ferguson and Thomson who chose more often
that not to direct proceedings
down the Rangers' right. Cut inside
deftly midway through the second half only to see his goalbound
shot deflected wide for a corner. Taken off late in the game as Rangers rang the last of their changes, sending Boyd on in
attack 6
Jean-Claude Darcheville
A striker in name only, so often
was he asked to help out both in midfield and in defence. Had little
to feast off in attack in the first
half beyond one early opportunity
to run in behind the Zenit backline that concluded with a cross that
just evaded the lunge of Ferguson. Called on Malafeev to make his
first save in the opening exchanges of the second half after latching
on to Davis' searching pass. The absence of Daniel Cousin through suspension saw him remain much longer on the pitch than the norm, completing his first 90 minutes in
a Rangers shirt in the process 6
SUBSTITUTES
Nacho Novo Given little time to emulate his heroics from Athens
as Rangers desperately chased
a late equaliser. Thrashed a late chance high over the crossbar 5
Lee McCulloch Thrown on
after 80 minutes in a central role
but had next to nothing to do 5
Kris Boyd Poor first touch in
the Zenit penalty box cut short
a late, desperate rally 4
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