Summary

  • Rangers now guaranteed European football post-Christmas but could drop into Conference League

  • Babicka runs on to ball over the top and rounds Butland to slot Aris ahead

  • Cantwell replaced in first half for McCausland, who nets leveller after break with low 20-yard strike off post

  • Davies & Souttar replace absent centre-backs Goldson & Balogun as Lammers also starts

  • Conference League: HJK Helsinki 2-2 Aberdeen - Dons hit back from two down with MacDonald wonder strike & Duk header

  1. G'nightpublished at 22:49 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    That'll do us for the night.

    Thanks for joining our six-hour marathon this evening.

    You'll get more reaction, analysis and be able to give your views on our dedicated Aberdeen and Rangers pages.

    Cheerio for now.

  2. Was Clement right to substitute Cantwell?published at 22:44 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    In his post-match presser, Philippe Clement said he removed Todd Cantwell from the action because Rangers were missing width.

    He brought on Ross McCausland to change that.

    Did it work? These Opta heatmaps suggest it probably did...

    Todd Cantwell's heatmapImage source, Opta
    Image caption,

    Todd Cantwell's heatmap

    Ross McCausland's heatmapImage source, Opta
    Image caption,

    Ross McCausland's heatmap

  3. 'I lost calmness with some players tonight'published at 22:41 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Rangers boss Philippe Clement says tonight was "the first time I felt a nervousness on the pitch with the players and the fans".

    "Those are things to work on," he adds. "The players have shown enough the last couple of weeks that they can have a better level. We need to work hard with all the boys to get everybody to their best level.

    "There are a lot of players who had to start today who have had to come back from serious injuries in recent months. Rabbi came in bright against Aberdeen but today was more difficult. We have a lot of work to do with the group.

    "We want to qualify, to please the fans, to be good. I lost the calmness with a few players tonight so we need to work on that."

  4. Postpublished at 22:36 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    Rangers boss Philippe Clement continues: "We missed the last pass and some freshness as well I think. I see Sima in the last two games, he has been at a little bit of a lower level after the birth of his baby.

    "I see Tom [Lawrence] coming in but being less decisive than his first game, but he is coming back from an injury. That was also the reason he did not start.

    "There is progression because the last time we played against Limassol with more players fit, we lost.

    "We have European football after January, it is important not to forget that. You can be so hungry and want to win but you need to remember that."

  5. 'I sensed nervousness in the team' - Clementpublished at 22:35 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    More from Rangers manager Philippe Clement in his post-match presser...

    "We all wanted to win. We started the game well, we had good pressing but missed the final pass.

    "I felt some nervousness in the team, maybe because of the occasion, so that is something to work on for sure. After you concede an unnecessary goal, you make it more difficult for yourself.

    "I had to make a change early, it is something I do not like to do, but we were missing width and depth on the right-hand side. I gave that message a few times to Todd but he was coming into the ball too much which is why I made the change."

  6. 'Clement's team has no cohesion yet'published at 22:31 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Kenny Miller
    Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

    The big thing about Rangers, I see guys like Tom Lawrence making the forward runs, but he is not getting the pass. And the thing is, who is going to make that pass?

    There is no cohesion within this team yet. It is going to take Clement time, he might need to get his own players before he gets that.

  7. 'I can't keep everyone happy' - Clementpublished at 22:27 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Rangers manager Philippe Clement on TNT Sports...

    On the fans' frustration: "We all want to win because you know you can qualify. I understand that people are frustrated because you feel we just needed that one moment to win the game. We just didn't score the second goal.

    On bringing Todd Cantwell off in the first half: "We didn't create any depth on the right side. Todd [Cantwell] was coming to the ball every time. I wanted to have more width on the right side and create more in behind.

    On keeping all the players happy: [All the players are] all important and they show they want to be in the team. It's impossible to have everybody happy because there's 28 [in the squad] and there's only 11 places. We are a team together."

  8. Postpublished at 22:24 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    Phillippe ClementImage source, SNS

    Let's hear from this man, shall we?

    It will be interesting to see what he has to say about that substitution...

  9. Postpublished at 22:23 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    Andy mentions a packed winter schedule for Rangers. You can say that again.

    A 10-game run in the space of just four weeks starts on Sunday at home to third-placed St Mirren. A trip to Tynecastle follows.

    That journey to Spain to face Betis is also in there, as is the Viaplay Cup final, plus the small matter of an Old Firm derby on 30 December.

    Season-defining stuff.

  10. Packed December on horizonpublished at 22:21 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Andy Campbell
    BBC Scotland at Ibrox

    Though not the worst result, there was no doubting what the Rangers supporters thought of that final score as boos rung around Ibrox.

    Clearly an opportunity missed for Rangers with just one more goal needed to ensure Europa League progress.

    The season rolls on with St Mirren visiting Ibrox on Sunday at the start of a packed December for the Ibrox side.

    Rangers' Jose Cifuentes gets past Aris Limassol's Julius SzokeImage source, SNS
  11. 'McCausland always looks ready'published at 22:19 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Derek McInnes
    Former Aberdeen manager on TNT Sports

    Maybe it was a simple instruction, the manager was asking Cantwell to hold his width. Cantwell isn't an out-and-out winger, but maybe he's being asked to play there. Nobody knows the ins and outs of what is being asked of the player.

    I think Cantwell gives Rangers something, even when he's not at his best. So for me, it was a surprise. But the manager is paid to make the big decisions.

    McCausland always looks ready, he influences games whenever he comes on. It says a lot about him and he met the responsibility put on him.

  12. 'McCausland Rangers' only real positive'published at 22:15 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Ally McCoist
    Former Rangers striker & manager on TNT Sports

    McCausland gave Rangers a bit of life. You could see Philippe Clement wasn't happy with the way the game was turning out and I can see why.

    I can understand the substitution. I can also understand why Cantwell was disappointed.

    But McCausland was bright, willing, intelligent and the only real positive for Rangers this evening.

  13. 'I'm chuffed to make an impact' - McCauslandpublished at 22:13 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Rangers goalscorer Ross McCausland tells TNT Sports: "We're disappointed. It's not the result we went out for.

    "I didn't think I'd get on as soon as I did, but I'm chuffed to come on so early and make an impact on the game.

    "I was thinking on the bus today that I'd really love to score if I got on.

    "I'm proud as punch of myself and I'm delighted to be getting these opportunities."

    Ross McCauslandImage source, SNS
  14. Postpublished at 22:11 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    Shavy BabickaImage source, sns

    Shavy Babicka is the first player to score three goals for a Cypriot team in major European competition across a single season since Emilio Zelaya in 2018-19 for Apollon Limassol.

  15. 'Rangers not beating Betis on that form'published at 22:09 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Steven Thompson
    Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

    To go to Seville in two weeks time and beat Betis, on that form, Rangers are certainly not doing it.

  16. 'Rangers aren't where they need to be'published at 22:05 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Derek McInnes
    Former Rangers midfielder on TNT Sports

    I think it threatened to be a far better outcome for Rangers.

    They were average at best. At their best, they wipe the floor with this team.

    I think that's an indication Rangers aren't where they need to be.

  17. As they standpublished at 22:03 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    FT: Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    But that point means Rangers have at least confirmed European football after Christmas.

    Whether it's in the Europa or Conference League is unclear though.

    We'll find out on 14 December when Rangers go to Betis on the final matchday.

    What a night that could be. The Ibrox side have the Viaplay Cup final three days later.

    .Image source, .
  18. Postpublished at 22:00 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    Aris are now confirmed as the group's bottom side.

    They have four points, all of them have come against Rangers.

    How costly could that be?

  19. Postpublished at 21:58 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    So it'll all go down to the final matchday.

    The issue for Rangers is their sixth group game is their toughest, away to Real Betis.

  20. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:56 Greenwich Mean Time 30 November 2023

    Rangers 1-1 Aris Limassol

    Just like the end of the first half, another big boo follows the full-time whistle.

    The Rangers fans clearly not happy with that.

    Philippe ClementImage source, SNS