Rangers

We asked for your views on Rangers' 1-1 draw against Dynamo Kyiv in the first leg of the Champions League third qualifying round.

Here’s what some of you said:

Craig: Three highlights in this game were overall effort, the connection between players and of course, the goal. This "project" will take time but hard work and passion will get some good results in the short term. Not exactly a team in full flow but some very good individual performances.

Mark: I’m pleased with the performance in a tricky away tie. The new players that were introduced are showing signs of their potential. There is just a lack of cohesion at times, but this is to be expected given the squad upheaval. I was slightly disappointed in the amount of times we gave the ball away.

Peter: We all malign Cyriel Dessers for many reasons but give him his due, he gets in good positions and can deliver a goal or two, but what a good goal that could be for next game.

Alexander: Struggling somewhat, but let's have some faith in a decent manager and players who do not deserve to be maligned.

Lennie: Great result for us. We thoroughly deserved it. I can't understand why Scott Wright is getting a game for us, he’s not good enough.

Emil: Good energy levels but poor technical skills, passing and lack of awareness was apparent.

Jack: I have supported Rangers for 70 years and this is the worst team I have seen. Dessers was the best performer and I think that sums it up. We have no midfield, a good goalkeeper and a one-man attack. Vaclav Cerny shows promise but Scott Wright, Mohamed Diomande, Ridvan Yilmaz and James Tavernier have no place in a Rangers shirt. We need a midfield general desperately.

Robert: Our game changed when Jefte was introduced and Wright removed, a formula that the manager must continue with. Having natural left-sided players is proving crucial.

David: Great result, gives us a fighting chance. What an advantage playing at Ibrox would have given us, we still need to sharpen up at the back though.

Greg: A greatly improved performance by Rangers and a lot more shots flying in on target. They were lot more incisive going forward and there was a lot less of great build-up play that went nowhere that characterised the latter spell of Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale and some of Philippe Clement. Has there been a change in tact?

Robert: I could see a team coming together for the first time. Well done Dessers, the team have to find the big man more and he will score goals. Forget Lawrence Shankland, you’ve got the guy there, just give him more service. Well done Clement.

Cyriel Dessers deserves credit for his perseverance, says Rangers Review editor Joshua Barrie, after the often-criticised striker netted a late equaliser away to Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League qualifying.

Listen and subscribe to the Scottish football podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, SNS

Rangers boss Philippe Clement is pleased with the "step forward" his reconstructed squad has taken in a short time.

Cyriel Dessers' last-gasp equaliser on Tuesday night rescued a well-earned draw to take back to Glasgow for next week's second leg against Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League third-round qualifier.

Clement believes his changing side are on the right path following nine arrivals so far during the transfer window.

Speaking to Rangers TV, he said: "They [Kyiv] are a team with a lot of qualities like they showed against Partizan with the 9-2 [aggregate victory].

“They are a really good team and they have been playing together four or five years.

“In the phase we are in with the rebuild and what the players are showing, it is the step forward that I wanted.

“In that way I am already satisfied how the team is reacting in this very short time together."

Rangers face Motherwell at Hampden in the league on Saturday before welcoming Dynamo to the national stadium on Tuesday, with the winners of the tie progressing to a play-off with Red Bull Salzburg or FC Twente.

"We can do several things better still and that is to work on this coming week towards this game," Clement added.

"We have also a league game in between. I don’t know if Kyiv will have one. They had a free weekend before this game and you saw still at the end they physically struggled.

“So I am curious if they are going to play at the weekend or not. Probably not.

“It is a really important result and I am hoping the fans get behind the team so hard that next week they can make so much noise to push us to qualify."

Cam Wanstall
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Despite the prestige of Dynamo Kyiv and a last-gasp rescue job from Cyriel Dessers, it was Philippe Clement's men that impressed most in Lublin, Poland.

Andriy Yarmalenko's opener put the pressure on Rangers to make the most of their ensuing chances. And they did in the end - the very end, mind you - as their number nine popped up with a 94th-minute equaliser.

Former Rangers striker Billy Dodds has seen enough of the Ukrainian runners-up in 90 minutes to believe Rangers have nothing to fear when they face off once more at Hampden next week.

"I don't know if Dynamo have got it in them," he said. "I don't think they're defensively minded.

"Sometimes the name frightens you - Dynamo Kyiv - and you think they'll be brilliant. They're not as good as you think.

"You can get at them, they weren't brilliant going forward. They had a couple of opportunities to damage Rangers and they didn't.

"Rangers have got to go for it. Get in their faces, press high. Be brave in possession. Work it into wide areas and don't think twice about crossing. Ask the question next week."

The man of the moment, of course, is Dessers. Pre-match, the forward remarked he wanted to create more "special moments" in Europe with Rangers. He done just that.

Discussing the striker's profligacy, former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson said: "His first three or four months, Dessers was woeful. He was running offside, he didn't look fit.

"But what you can't question is his character. He's like marmite, you either love or hate him. Sometimes, you can't get it out your mind how poor he was at the start.

"He deserved his goal, with his work-rate and desire. Centre-forwards need that belief in themselves. Dessers has taken that criticism on the chin and he keeps coming back for more."

Rangers manager Philippe Clement praises Cyriel Dessers after the striker's last-gasp equaliser away to Dynamo Kyiv and looks forward to a "really big night" in the second leg at Hampden next week.

Spanish club Las Palmas are closing in on the signing of Scotland defender Scott McKenna, the former Aberdeen centre-back who had been linked with Celtic and Rangers. (Sky Sports), external

Ex-Scotland boss Gordon Strachan believes the huge overhaul of players at Rangers this summer is the biggest challenge facing Philippe Clement and thinks he might have to take a "few smacks in the face" before the Light Blues fire on all cylinders. (Daily Record)

Read the rest of Wednesday's gossip.

Cyriel Dessers' dramatic 94th-minute equaliser earned Rangers a crucial first-leg draw with Dynamo Kyiv in their bid to qualify for the Champions League.

Amid increasing negative noise surrounding the start of the Ibrox club's season, Philippe Clement's side fell behind to Andriy Yarmolenko's first-half opener.

In a similar theme to their goalless draw with Hearts on Saturday, Rangers were again both profligate and exposed on occasions, but much-maligned Dessers' close-range finish - the final kick of the match - rescued what could be a priceless result in Poland.

Click here, external to have your say on the first leg

Image source, SNS

Rangers manager Philippe Clement: "We had six shots on target, they had three. We kept on pushing until the end to get the result and I'm happy about that because we want this mentality to work until the last second, to keep on going and believing.

"We have several new players now, young players, and they did it. Vaclav [Cerny] had an important assist. Cyriel [Dessers] also kept pushing to get the goal.

"He had a few chances that he finished well and the goalkeeper saved. He kept on believing and I'm happy for him that he scored."

Image source, SNS

Hooked at the break, wide man Scott Wright struggled to make an impact during the first half in Lublin.

The same can't be said for his replacement, Jefte, who gave Rangers much needed drive and intensity on the left-hand side.

A full-back by trade, the Brazilian was deployed in a more advanced role and could provide manager Philippe Clement with another option in that area following Oscar Cortes' injury.

Nick McPheat
BBC Sport Scotland

Image source, SNS

Just like Saturday, only one new summer signing - Connor Barron - featured in the Rangers starting XI, which speaks volumes about the pace of the squad rebuild manager Clement has craved.

That, plus uninspiring pre-season displays, the weekend draw and the temporary relocation to Hampden, has prompted discontent among supporters.

Pre-match, former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson said he had "never seen the fans as low".

That mood was set to hit rock bottom with the clock ticking towards minute 94, but the small pocket of travelling fans could be seen in ecstasy when Cyriel Dessers caressed in Vaclav Cerny’s fine cross.

Rangers were guilty of giving up possession and too easy to play through in spells, but their unquestionable work-rate forced the Ukrainian side into their own errors.

It looked like Philippe Clement's side would not be rewarded for that effort until new signing Cerny highlighted his pedigree off the bench to provide Dessers with a potentially defining moment in the tie.

Image source, SNS

Philippe Clement switches two from the weekend draw at Tynecastle for the first leg against Dynamo Kyiv.

Injured winger Oscar Cortes is replaced by Ross McCausland, while Leon Balogun comes into the defence as Ben Davies drops to the bench.

Still no place for new centre-back Robin Propper, who is also among the substitutes with the returning Dujon Sterling.

Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Balogun, Yilmaz, Barron, Diomande, McCausland, Lawrence, Wright, Dessers.

• Listen to match commentary & follow live text coverage

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter in Lublin

The Polish city of Lublin has been bathed in sunshine today and conditions here at the Lublin Arena are perfect for a game of football.

A huge test lies in wait for Rangers against a Dynamo Kyiv side that rattled nine goals past Partizan Belgrade across two legs in the last round.

It's an unusual situation that sees both sides playing their home fixture away from their own stadium, with next week's return leg taking place at Hampden.

Rangers did not look entirely up to speed in their Premiership opener against Hearts at the weekend and they will need to improve quickly if they are to take a positive result back to Glasgow.

Image source, SNS

Cyriel Dessers is hoping to be a part of more "special" moments in Europe with Rangers, insisting the team "will try everything" to reach the Champions League proper.

Philippe Clement's side are facing Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League third qualifying round on Tuesday evening, with victory over two legs pushing the Ibrox side one step closer to league phase qualification.

"The Champions League is the biggest stage in international club football," Dessers told club media ahead of the first leg. "Obviously as a team and club, you need to have ambition to get there. And we will try everything to do that.

"Dynamo Kyiv are a very good team as we can see from the games and the results from the previous rounds. They are a very good team, they are very fit and they have a few high quality players, so we will need to be on top of our game.

"You want to play these games. If you want to be in the Champions League league phase from this season on, you need to prove it against teams like this.

Recalling past adventures whilst trotting across the continent, Dessers made his enthusiasm for European journeys known.

"The European nights at Rangers are really special," the forward enthused. "That night in Seville was a really special one.

"That is going to be one of the moments I will remember after my career because it was such a special night.

"I remember coming out of the tunnel and seeing all of our fans up there in the corner, it was an amazing view. And to score there, to celebrate in front of our fans and to win that game - and winning the group - was an amazing feeling.

"It is definitely a moment I will cherish."

Jamie Currie
Fan writer

There wasn't much optimism going into this season, and that was further cemented by the boring performance at Tynecastle.

It was very much a case of being very samey. Only Connor Barron of the new signings made it into the starting line-up and it's a game that won't live long in the memory.

Patience is needed with this situation on the park, but it feels a bit like Alex McLeish season 2003-04 – the summer of Capucho, Emerson and Ostenstaad.

The board are mostly to blame for the apathy going into this season. There is managing expectations and then there is taking the proverbial.

Forget the league for a minute – we will have to this season anyway. But tonight we are playing Dynamo Kyiv in Lublin in the Champions League qualifiers. And as many fan media and podcasters have said the manager is taking a spoon to a gunfight.

For a board who love their money, they seem hesitant to properly back the guy they believe in – the guy they handed a new contract to just days ago.

It's fine, though, they are Rangers fans just like us.

As for the manager, I feel for him as said by the reasons above. However, there is nothing there especially tactically.

For starters, the team are showing no style of play - except lump it to Dessers and play for second balls. That falls down because Dessers can't hold the ball up and weak in duels.

In midfield we are poor. No one can control the tempo in there. Barron and Diomande try to do it but it's not their game. So because that isn't happening, games get like a game of basketball and leaves the ropey defence exposed.

Does the manager have the quality of players he wants in order to play his way – whatever that may be? No. But where he is failing for me at the minute is if you don't have that, you make your side solid and hard to beat and adapt to your current situation.

Can he do that? We will see, but there is little to be positive about just now. It feels like it will be a long, long season.

Image source, SNS

Cammy Bell believes Philippe Clement must "be honest" in his approach after the Rangers manager said it's "not a disgrace" if the club failed to reach the Champions League group stage.

Demotion to the Europa League would result in a huge loss in financial rewards, something that would only further the gap between the Govan side and their city rivals Celtic, according to Bell who was speaking to the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast.

"He's almost just covering himself a little bit, knowing that this is such a tricky tie... You've got to just be honest.

"Come out and say, look, this is such a difficult tie but we want to progress, we want to be in the Champions League, because that's where Rangers need to be.

"I think Celtic are further ahead with the strength and depth they've got in the squad, but that's dictated by finances. Rangers can't bring in the quality players because they don't have the money. "

Rangers face Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League third qualifying round tonight in Lublin.

"[The potential Champions League money] is massive," Bell added.

"It's a huge game in the season of Rangers Football Club and also for the manager because you don't want any more negativity festering around the club at the moment because there's been so much pre-season.

"With the stadium, with players wanting to leave, some players not yet left, not as many players as the fans wanted coming in, it's been a really negative start for Rangers."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Image source, SNS

Rangers boss Philippe Clement has been speaking to the media ahead of his side's away match against Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League third round qualifying.

Here are the key points:

• Dropping into Europa League would be "no disgrace" but everyone at the club wants Champions League football.

• Robin Propper is fit but has had a lot to contend with after his move - paperwork, finding a few house, etc. He needs to weigh up if it’s the right time to start Propper and new signing Cerny.

• Oscar Cortes out for "four to five" weeks after injuring his knee in league opener against Hearts. However, he believes Cortes will be "important to the club" in the future.

• ⁠Dynamo Kyiv a team that has been building for years. Clement's Club Brugge team qualified against Kyiv a few years ago and many of same players still involved.

• Asked if Ianis Hagi is in his plans for this season, he replies “no”.

Rangers defender Dujon Sterling has been spotted back in training following injury before the Ibrox side's Champions League third qualifying round first leg against Dynamo Kyiv in Poland on Tuesday. (Sun), external

Meanwhile, Rangers "will have to step it up" from Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hearts when they take on Dynamo Kyiv, says defender John Souttar. (Mail), external

Read Monday's Scottish gossip