RANGERS ended the month of August on a high as they came out on top in the first Old Firm derby of the season and qualified for the Europa League group stage for the fourth successive year.

It’s been a turbulent start to the campaign for the Premiership champions though, with a Champions League exit at the hands of Malmo, a first league defeat in 41 matches to Dundee United, and that's before a Covid outbreak.

The squad responded in the face of adversity last week with two huge results against Alashkert and Celtic.

Here at the Rangers Review, we’ve been grading the players' performances in each of their nine matches played so far.

We've discounted late substitute appearances where scores of three and four were recorded to give a true reflection of how the players have been performing.

Here’s how the players stack up:

Allan McGregor (6.5 average rating) Games played – 4

It’s been a largely frustrating start to the campaign for the veteran keeper, of the nine games played he’s only found himself between the sticks for less than half of those. He would’ve played against Alashkert and Celtic you would imagine had he not been ruled out by Covid protocols last week. Even approaching 40, doesn't show too many signs of being diminished in between the sticks.

Jon McLaughlin (6) Games played – 3

Like McGregor, he was affected by last week’s Covid outbreak which also prevented him from joining up with the Scotland squad. Of the matches he was called upon, he hasn’t had an awful lot to do, he’s conceded just once in the defeat at Tannadice but wasn’t at fault.

Robby McCrorie (7.5) Games played – 2

As much as Covid has affected both McGregor and McLaughlin, it’s provided an opportunity for McCrorie he could only dream of.

Thrust in at the deep end in a crucial Europa League playoff and an Old Firm derby, to produce two clean sheets following commanding and assured displays, particularly against Celtic, is mightily impressive and bodes well for the 23-year-old going forward. Whether he features again for Rangers this season is another matter but he can be delighted with his contribution.

James Tavernier (6.7) Games played – 6

It’s not been the best of months for the skipper, like both goalkeepers, he was one of the players affected by Covid protocols and therefore has missed the last two matches but his form beforehand wasn’t startling.

He kicked off the season in typical Tavernier fashion with two assists against Livingston but has found the going relatively tough since then, not for the want of trying though, you can never fault his commitment and work rate but he’s yet to recapture last season’s startling form.

Connor Goldson (6.3) Games played – 9

As for almost the entirety of his Rangers career, Goldson has been an ever-present in the team so far and has skippered the side on a handful of occasions in Tavernier’s absence.

Like the right-back, Goldson started off the campaign a little out of sorts with many levelling his ongoing contract situation as a possible reason for appearing off the boil but his display against Celtic put that to bed. He was a rock at the heart of the Light Blues' backline and Steven Gerrard will be hoping for more of the same going forward.

Filip Helander (6.8) Games played – 5

The big Swede has been pretty consistent in the games he has featured this season. He was relatively untroubled against Alashkert home and away and Malmo away he was one of Rangers best performers but like Goldson, Sunday’s Old Firm clash saw him rise to the occasion and put in a towering display not to mention a goal to boot. One of only two players to receive a nine in the player ratings and well deserved following his performance against Celtic.

Leon Balogun (5.75) Games played – 4

The Nigerian has had a mixed bag in terms of ratings so far. He had a shocker against Malmo at Ibrox and wasn’t overly convincing against Ross County but put in a colossal performance against Celtic on Sunday to improve his overall rating thus far. There wouldn’t have been many supporters confident he could put in such a heroic display in the right-back position that earned him the MOTM award. More of that please Leon.

Calvin Bassey (7.5) Games played - 4

One of the shining lights for Rangers so far, he put in a solid shift in the season opener against Livingston before turning in a MOTM display against Dunfermline in the League Cup rout. He was also impressive against Alashkert at Ibrox before a slightly below-par showing against Ross County but he’s now competing with Borna Barisic for that left-back slot and has given the Croatian something to think about.

Borna Barisic (5.8) Games played – 5

The Croatian hasn’t started the season well at all ... until he landed the ball on Helander’s head to net an Old Firm winner that is. That corner kick delivery may be just what Barisic needs to kick on as he has looked off the pace and low on confidence. It may be a result of his niggling injury that prevented him from making more of an impression at the Euros in the summer but that assist will do him the world of good in terms of boosting his morale.

Nathan Patterson (6.5) Games played – 2

The youngster has only featured twice this season against Dunfermline and Alashkert but put in solid displays in both matches. One of Steven Gerrard’s big challenges this season will be trying to get Patterson more game time given he’s competing with Tavernier for the right-back berth. After rejecting an £8m bid from Everton, he’s clearly thought of very highly at Ibrox but it would be great to see him play more games after the international break.How the management team will accommodate that remains a subject of intrigue.

Steven Davis (6.9) Games played – 8

It’s been a steady eddy campaign so far for Davis, he’s Mr Consistent and has only picked up one rating of six in the eight matches he’s featured in, the 1-0 defeat at Tannadice. He can be pleased with the way he’s started the season and produced a midfield masterclass in the Old Firm victory. His performances continue to defy his age in the centre of the park.

Glen Kamara (6.8) Games played – 6

Like Davis, he’s been relatively consistent and reliable in the games he has played in so far. Rangers missed him badly for the Malmo fixtures and the home leg against Alashkert. He put in his best performance of the season last Sunday as he and Davis ran the show against a Celtic side full of confidence and attacking menace.

Joe Aribo (6.75) Games played – 8

Aside from Malmo away, Aribo has been an ever-present in this Rangers side so far this season. He’ll probably admit himself he hasn’t performed as well as we all know he can but he’s still produced some terrific moments such as his goal against Ross County in a game where he received his highest rating of eight. It was a stunning, curling strike that showcased what the Nigerian can do at his best.

Scott Arfield (6) Games played – 5

One of Gerrard’s trusted lieutenants, Arfield has performed reasonably well when he’s been called upon thus far. Not spectacular by any means but you can always rely on him to put in a power of work and has popped up with a goal also up in Dingwall. You get the sense his role will be more of a squad player this term with his advancing years and the number of options the manager has in the engine room.

John Lundstram (5.5) Games played – 6

The jury is well and truly out on the summer signing from Sheffield United. Getting sent off against Alashkert was mindless and he’ll need to keep his head down and perform well to win over the Rangers support. Many remain unsure as to what he brings to the side. His best showing was the League Cup win over Dunfermline when he opened the scoring but he’ll need to offer a lot more than that if he’s to alter perceptions.

Ianis Hagi (6.8) Games played – 6

The Romanian started off the season in scintillating form, scoring after just seven minutes in the league opener against Livingston before being hacked down and forced onto the sidelines for two weeks. Upon returning to the team, he’s looked as lively as ever and put in two fine performances against Dunfermline and Alashkert at Ibrox. He’ll have a big part to play this campaign, of that there’s no question.

Scott Wright (7.2) Games played – 6

Like Bassey, he’s enjoyed a great start to the season. For Gerrard to describe his 45 minute performance against Alashkert as “superhuman” tells you what the manager thinks of him. He kicked off the campaign with a sublime goal against Livingston and has put in a series of impressive displays. Unfortunately, he’s been missing for the last three matches but fans will be excited to see him return to action and recapture that early season form. Looking a bargain buy already and one that can develop into something special for club and country.

Ryan Kent (6.1) Games played – 7

It’s been a tough start for Kent, he hasn’t performed we all know he can. He’s often looked frustrated and almost trying too hard to make an impression. He played through the pain barrier to feature against Celtic on Sunday and put in a decent showing but he’s one of a number of players that Rangers will be hoping can increase their performance levels once the international break is over.

Alfredo Morelos (6.6) Games played – 7

The Colombian missed the first two matches of the season after returning from the Copa America and Rangers missed him badly against Malmo in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier. He had an immediate impact on his return in the second leg at Ibrox, scoring the opener before the Light Blues lost control and exited the competition. He’s popped up with the vital winner against Alashkert and a goal at Ross County and will be hungry for more when the squad regroups. A decent start to the season for El Bufalo.

Kemar Roofe (6.5) Games played – 4

Of the games he’s been available, he’s been relatively impressive. There’s no doubt that Rangers missed his presence in the two matches against Malmo and the Europa League encounter with Alashkert. As much as he tried hard, he struggled to impose himself on the Old Firm game at the weekend and will be hoping for a consistent run of games when the squad returns.

Fashion Sakala (5.3) Games played 3

Discounting his Old Firm cameo, Sakala has featured in three matches this season after struggling with injury. From his showings thus far, it’s clear he needs time and games to get up to speed. Physically he looks as though he may need to pack on some muscle to contend with Scottish football. Going forward, it may be one or two months before we start seeing what he can bring to this Rangers side.