Rangers instant analysis: Matondo impresses in lacklustre display

Substitute Danilo won it for Rangers with a drilled finish but it was an unconvincing display. Here's our instant analysis from Ibrox. 

Cause for concern

Rangers dominated possession in the first half but they were too pedestrian and lacked the creativity required to break down a resolute Morton defence. Lacklustre starts are becoming a worrying trend this season and Rangers failed to play with enough tempo. Rangers lacked the penetrative forward runs that Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin can provide. Lammers possesses excellent technical ability and despite some nice touches, he was fairly anonymous before his substitution. Beale looked visibly unhappy with the first-half display but, unlike against Servette, there was no reaction after half-time. Rangers made a sloppy start and were punished when Dessers’ cumbersome penalty led to a penalty. A rebuild was required this summer and Beale has delivered on what the fans called for, but performances need to improve if Rangers are to achieve their objectives this season. It will naturally take time for players to build relationships and there were some promising signs from Danilo after his introduction, but there will need to be significant improvements with some massive games on the horizon. 

Matondo promise

Rabbi Matondo faced the press on Friday and he exuded confidence in his ability. “I know my qualities but I’ve got to stay humble enough to take my opportunities,” he admitted. Matondo mentioned opportunities regularly throughout his interview and he was handed one against Morton. Michael Beale rewarded the winger for his impressive cameo against Livingston last week after his pace changed the dynamic of the game. Matonodo hasn’t made the impact expected since arriving at Ibrox last summer but he looked determined to reverse his fortunes against Morton. The Welshman was Rangers’ best player and he produced an exquisite touch to pluck the ball out of the air driving into the box, before being thwarted by the goalkeeper.

Matondo’s willingness to commit defenders and electrifying pace posed the biggest threat to the Morton defence in the first half. He came within inches of opening the scoring on 27 minutes when he raced onto Cyriel Dessers’ through pass before rounding the goalkeeper, but a Morton player cleared it off the line. Matondo continued to impress in the second half and he eased past Morton players with ease on a number of occasions and he was unfortunate not to register at least one assist. Few people would’ve complained if Matondo moved on this summer just a few weeks ago, but he’s shown promising signs recently that he can revive his Rangers career.

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Full-back switch 

James Tavernier and Borna Barisic were afforded the afternoon off after their midweek exploits against Servette. The two full-backs combined to score the vital goal to secure progression to the Champions League play-off. Beale’s tactical set-up the onus on the full-backs to provide width and they are required to expend a lot of energy patrolling the flanks. Tavernier and Barisic are experienced campaigners but there was a youthful look against Morton with Dujon Sterling and Johnly Yfeko deputising. Both players were making their first start for Rangers but they were both tasked with performing different roles in possession. Yfeko is predominantly a centre-back and he stayed deep in the build-up with Matondo providing the width on the left.

Conversely, Sterling was positioned much higher up the pitch on the right with Sam Lammers moving inside to support Dessers. Sterling's strengths are his defensive qualities and his final ball from the right was underwhelming on a few occasions in the first half. It was a difficult afternoon for Sterling and he was withdrawn on the hour as Beale changed shape. Emulating Tavernier’s attacking output will be an impossible task and although Sterling failed to shine against Morton, it’s important not to draw sweeping conclusions as his defensive ability will be an asset against better opposition. Yfeko, however, produced another solid performance with his physicality a huge asset and his development will be fascinating across the season.

Ianis Hagi 

Hagi’s omission from the starting eleven against Morton put his future at Rangers in focus. If the Romanian international isn’t entrusted to start against lower-league opposition, then when will he feature from the start? Hagi possesses excellent technical skills but he faces strong competition to stake a claim for a starting berth. The Romanian international looks in excellent physical condition after recovering from a serious injury last season but he will have ambitions to play more regularly.

After his introduction, Hagi was clearly desperate to impress and he unleashed a number of shots from range, with one curling narrowly over the bar. He was positioned from the right with the freedom to move inside. Hagi lacks the pace to burst past defenders but his intelligence to find pockets of space is impressive and he always wanted to ball during his cameo. The 24-year-old produced a positive display and remains a useful squad option, but he needs to play regularly to build rhythm after missing so much football across recent seasons due to injury. 

Tactical switch

Beale changed his formation on a number of occasions in the second half, but his most noticeable adjustment arrived with his triple sub on 57 minutes. Rangers were trailing when Beale planned on making the changes, but despite being awarded a penalty as the trio prepared to arrive, he stuck by his intended substitutes. Beale reverted to three centre-backs with John Lundstram stopping back with Matondo and Hagi providing width. Danilo and Abdallah Sima joined Dessers up front and the Brazilian made an immediate impact.

His touch looked sharper than in recent weeks and he showed brilliant feet before firing home the winner. Rangers looked much more dangerous after the tactical switch and they penned Morton back as they applied considerable pressure. Beale reverted to a back four after Adam Devine’s introduction as they endured some nervy moments before closing the game out. It was a disappointing performance from Rangers but Beale’s attacking substitution did add some impetus.