PLAYER RATINGS: McGregor was superb but Sands blotted his copybook
PLAYER RATINGS: Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor produced a vintage display but defender James Sands blotted his copybook with red card in Napoli defeat
- Goalkeeper Allan McGregor Saved two penalties and almost kept out a third
- James Sands was sent off for conceding the first penalty in the second-half
- Ryan Kent was Rangers’ brightest spark in attack with his direct running
Ten-man Rangers were left searching for their first Champions League point after a 3-0 defeat by Napoli at Ibrox, where penalties were the turning point of the game.
Returning goalkeeper Allan McGregor sensationally saved a retaken Piotr Zielinksi spot-kick on the hour after Gers defender James Sands was sent off conceding it, before he was beaten from 12 yards in the 67th minute by Matteo Politano.
Giacomo Raspador added a second with five minutes remaining and fellow substitute Tanguy Ndombele grabbed a third in added time to compound Gers’ misery.
Sportsmail’s Calum Crowe rated the players on Wednesday night.
Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor Saved two penalties and almost kept out a third
Rangers (3-4-2-1)
Allan McGregor – 8.5
Restored to the team and, at 40 years old, became the fifth oldest Champions League player of all-time. Saved two penalties – and almost a third. Outstanding.
John Lundstram – 6.5
Started in midfield but was swiftly redeployed to the right side of a back three. Tried to be aggressive whenever he could.
Connor Goldson – 6
Made a couple of important blocks but struggled at times to deal with the movement and fluency of the Napoli attackers.
James Sands – 5
Vital tackle on Zielinski late in the first half, but blotted his copybook with two quickfire bookings. Sent off for fouling Simeone for the first penalty.
Rangers James Sands was sent off for conceding the first penalty in the second-half
James Tavernier – 6.5
Skipper tried his best to inspire his team and was allowed to play high up the pitch but it was a tough shift out on the right flank.
Ryan Jack – 6
Tried to keep things ticking over in the middle of the park but was subbed off shortly after the red card to Sands.
Steven Davis – 6.5
Brought a sense of calm into the Rangers midfield. Read the game so well but his influence faded towards the end.
Borna Barisic – 5.5
Was caught napping on the ball too often. Penalised for handball as Politano finally scored from Napoli’s third penalty of the night.
Winger Ryan Kent was Rangers’ brightest spark in attack with his direct running
Scott Arfield – 6.5
Long-range shot looked like it was arrowing towards the top corner, only to be kept out by Meret in first half.
Ryan Kent – 7
Was Rangers’ brightest spark in attack more often than not. Always tried to be direct and run at his man.
Alfredo Morelos – 6
Toiled to make any sort of impact. Didn’t look match sharp and Napoli centre-back Minjae Kim kept him well shackled.
Subs L King (for Jack 63), Colak (Morelos 73), Matondo (Arfield 73), Kamara (Tavernier 83), Tillman (Davis 83).
Subs not used McCrorie, Budinauckas, Yilmaz, Wright, Davies, Sakala, Devine.
Booked Morelos, Lundstram, Sands, Davis, Barisic, Tavernier.
Sent off Sands
Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz (Spa) – 6.5 – Was certainly a bit fussy at times and angered the home crowd, but got the big calls correct.
NAPOLI (4-3-3)
Meret 7; Di Lorenzo 6, Kim 8, Rrahmani 7, Mario Rui 7 (Olivera 77); Zambo Anguissa 8.5, Lobotka 7, Zielinski 8; Politano 7 (Zerbin 77), Simeone 7 (Raspadori 77), Kvaratskhelia 7 (Elmas 90).
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