Glasgow Rangers navigated an error-laden first-half performance to secure a brilliant 2-0 victory over Panathinaikos in the first leg of their second round Champions League qualifier.
Jack Butland had to be called into action to make a series of fine stops to keep a clean sheet in the opening 45 minutes, before goals from Findlay Curtis and Djedi Gassama sealed the win in the second half.
Despite the nervy moments defensively that were littered throughout the 90 minutes, there were some impressive individual performances for Russell Martin’s side, as Curtis grasped his opportunity with both hands.
Findlay Curtis’ performance in numbers
The academy graduate was given the nod to start on the left flank, with Gassama unfit to start and Thelo Aasgaard out injured, and stepped up to the plate with a fantastic showing.
It was an all-action and forward-thinking display from the 18-year-old starlet, who ended the game with four tackles and one interception made, which shows the hard work that he put in defensively.
As you can see in the clip above, Curtis also opened the scoring with a stunning goal, brilliantly taking the ball inside on the run before bending a shot, via a slight deflection, into the bottom corner from distance.
The teenage whiz attempted three dribbles and had two shots on goal, one of which was his goal, and this shows that he was constantly probing and looking to put the Gers on the front foot in the match, which the supporters at Ibrox were loving.
Whilst Curtis shone on one wing, Kieran Dowell started on the opposite flank and was only able to show why the Gers must replace him with a new forward before the end of the window.
Why Rangers must replace Dowell
The left-footed flop has only produced two goals and two assists in 33 appearances for Rangers as an attacking midfielder or wide player, and was sent out on loan to Birmingham City in January because of his disappointing performances.
However, Martin has seemingly seen something in him because he selected Dowell to start on the right wing against Panathinaikos, but it was not a decision that was backed up by the performance.
|
Vs Panathinaikos |
Kieran Dowell |
|---|---|
|
Minutes played |
75 |
|
Shots on target |
0 |
|
Big chances missed |
1 |
|
Key passes |
0 |
|
Big chances created |
0 |
|
Duels won |
5/7 |
As you can see in the table above, the former Norwich man, who was outshone by Curtis, did put himself about to win duels but he was ineffective at the top end of the pitch, once again in a Rangers shirt.
Dowell, who was described as “non-existent” in the first half by the Heart & Hand Podcast, does not impose himself on matches in the final third, hence his lack of goal contributions throughout his Gers career, and that was the case against Panathinaikos, notably taking fewer touches (29) than Butland (31),.
Rangers have lost Vaclav Cerny, who was on loan from Wolfsburg last season, and the 12 goals and four assists that he provided in the Scottish Premiership from a right wing position.
This means that the Light Blues need to find another right-sided attacker who can score and create goals at an impressive rate, and Dowell’s performance on Tuesday, coupled with the rest of his career at Ibrox to date, suggests that he does not fit the bill.
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Therefore, Rangers should be looking to replace the English flop with a new right winger, who can contribute in the final third on a regular basis, to start week-in-week-out for Martin this season, before the summer transfer window slams shut.
