JON McLAUGHLIN: Big fan of him sporting the short sleeves a la Barthez and perhaps understandable given the roasting hot temperatures. Performance-wise, as steady and dependable as we’ve come to expect. Didn’t have an awful lot to do but had to be on his toes to rush out and clear away from the on-rushing Connolly and saved well from a long-range Zeqiri effort. 6
NATHAN PATTERSON: As lively as ever, was on his bike a few seconds in and always looking to get forward, good delivery onto the head of Bassey on 10 mins and five minutes later he was bursting into the box before eventually running out of space. Defensively sound and another good showing. 7
CALVIN BASSEY: Felt the full rath of Steven Gerrard after just five minutes as he was told to get closer to Khandra. It was a good tussle between the pair with Khandra bouncing off him at times. He lost his man on 39 minutes but luckily his cross was cleared by Balogun. Like Patterson, he was always willing to get forward and help the attack. Another decent display from the big man, replaced by Barisic on the hour mark. 6
LEON BALOGUN: Another commanding and relatively comfortable display from the Nigerian. Playing in Connor Goldson’s position, he coped with everything that came his way and had a header saved by Scherpen. The Ibrox crowd enjoyed it when he collided with Shane Duffy before helping the Irishman to his feet. Took over the captain’s armband in the second half and his last action before being replaced by Goldson was a crunching challenge on Bissouma that left him in a heap and needing treatment. 7
JACK SIMPSON: Bit of a mixed bag. Sent a couple of good balls forward, one of which was controlled by Itten before releasing Wright which ended in a free-kick being awarded on the edge of the area. However, he had a few ropey moments including a slight mix up with Balogun as early as the third minute. He dived in on Khandra who broke free and he looked slightly shaky in position a couple of times. Replaced at half-time. 5
GLEN KAMARA: Outrageous Zidane-esque pirouette to breeze past Gros in the first half which the home crowd enjoyed. That aside, it was an altogether quiet evening for the Finn. Neat and tidy as we come to expect. 6
STEPHEN KELLY: Very impressive display, felt he grew into the game and showed a level of maturity that belies his age. Always willing to come deep to collect the ball and start of moves, almost like a mini Steven Davis. So comfortable in possession and played a few lovely balls forward, a cross onto the head of Balogun and a nonchalant lob to Bassey when he was surrounded by Brighton players. Had a great chance when he stepped up to hit a free-kick from the edge of the box in the first half but blazed over. 8 (MOTM)
SCOTT ARFIELD: Led the team out as skipper for the first half, had a sizzling shot deflected over the bar for a corner on 22 minutes but other than that, a relatively quiet showing, couldn’t exert much influence on the game. Replaced at half-time. 5
SCOTT WRIGHT: Always positive and busy as we’ve come to expect. He, Itten and Jones were interchanging all throughout the first half causing Brighton a few issues. Tested Scherpen with a shot from the edge of the area on 14 minutes but found it difficult to get in behind the Brighton defence. 6
JORDAN JONES: Given a real chance to impress and at times his movement and runs were causing Brighton some problems. Got in behind on 11 minutes before whipping in a cross and had a snapshot saved ten minutes later. Could’ve done better with a couple of deliveries into the box. Decent display but not sure he’s done enough to force himself into the reckoning for Livingston. 6
CEDRIC ITTEN: Started the game in the traditional number 9 position before interchanging with Wright and Jones. Has impressed during pre-season so far and put in another decent display. Did well to shut down Scherpen in the first half, played the ball to Davis before receiving it back but his effort was cleared off the line by Duffy. Held the ball up well at times, showing good strength. Has certainly given Gerrard something to ponder for next week. 7
Substitutes
JAMES TAVERNIER: On for Patterson on 71 mins, few trademark pin-point deliveries into the box, one was met by the head of Defoe but he couldn’t direct it on target. 6
JOHN LUNDSTRAM: On at Half Time for Kamara, did well to help out Jones who gave the ball away early in the second half and the former Sheffield United man was always looking to dictate the play, struck the woodwork with a tremendous left-footed effort from the edge of the area that had Ibrox gasping. Good showing. 7
CONNOR GOLDSON: On for Balogun on 71 mins. Never under any real pressure, strolled it. 5
IANNIS HAGI: On at Half Time to replace Arfield, sent Furlong and March for hot dogs, twisting and turning before floating over a cross and was causing Brighton all kinds of problems with his balls through. The Romanian did have the ball in the back of the net only for Don Robertson to disallow it for a foul on Bissouma in the build-up, a cracking hit though. 7
JERMAIN DEFOE: On for Itten on the hour mark. Had one real half chance when he met a Tavernier cross but headed wide. 4
STEVEN DAVIS: On for the impressive Kelly on 71 mins and slotted in well. No real impact in an attacking sense but kept things moving as he always does. 5
RYAN KENT: On for Jones on 71 mins, cracking ball into the box late on that was deflected away for a corner and his movement was causing March some issues down that left-hand side. 5
NIKOLA KATIC: Great reception when he was introduced for the second half in place of Simpson. Few misplaced and overly hit passes, perhaps understandable given his absence but all in all fantastic to see the big likeable Croatian back in a Rangers jersey again. 5
FASHION SAKALA: On for Wright for his debut to a great reception. Looked keen to impress and worked hard but struggled to get any joy out of the Seagulls backline. 5
BORNA BARISIC: On for Bassey on the hour mark, super delivery late on which was deflected away for a corner. Comfortable as always and good to see him get minutes in his legs. 6
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