- Mohamed Diomande’s first-half strike gives Danny Rohl’s men deserved win over Bulgarian champions
- Ibrox men officially eliminated despite first victory of Europa League campaign
Rangers were officially eliminated from the Europa League but there were still reasons for Danny Rohl to be cheerful as his side notched their first win of the tournament with a 1-0 success over Ludogorets at Ibrox.
Mohamed Diomande fired home from close range in the 33rd minute as Rohl’s men got the better of the Bulgarian champions.
In truth, the scoreline should have been more emphatic in favour of the home side. Youssef Chermiti, Djeidi Gassama and Mikey Moore were among those guilty of missing chances in a controlled display.
It was not enough to keep Rangers alive in the competition, but a seventh win in a row keeps the club’s revival under Rohl going.
Here’s how the Rangers players rated…
Diomande celebrates his first-half strike, which proved to be the only goal of the game
Rohl applauds the supporters at Ibrox after his side won for the seventh game in a row
On-loan Spurs winger Mikey Moore impressed on the right against the Bulgarians
RANGERS (4-2-3-1)
JACK BUTLAND – 6.5: Made a superb save from Stanic with his legs half an hour in but untested otherwise. Denied Vidal comfortably late on.
MAX AARONS – 7: Was probably expecting to be busier but kept his wingers anonymous. Made a potentially goal-saving block in second half.
NASSER DJIGA – 7: Looks to be growing in confidence and had some neat moments on the ball in a composed display.
MANNY FERNANDEZ – 6.5: Lost the run of Bile inside the box in first half but used his pace and physicality to keep forwards quiet.
JAYDEN MAGHOMA – 6.5: Wasn’t a consistent attacking threat but his cross led to the winner. Caught out of position a couple of times but largely solid.
NICO RASKIN – 8: Was at his dynamic best as he showed off his full range of passing. Crucial block to deny Stanic in second half.
MOHAMED DIOMANDE – 8.5: Covered every blade of grass and his influence only grew as the game went on. Kept cool to drill home the winning goal.
MIKEY MOORE – 7: Young man ran Nedyalkov ragged at times down the right but will be gutted he fluffed his lines when clean through.
Man-of-the-match Diomande rifles home after the visitors failed to clear a corner
THELO AASGAARD – 7.5: A vibrant, confident display from the man in form and played key role in opener. Faded as game became more scrappy.
DJEIDI GASSAMA – 6.5: Always lively down the left, his decision-making frustrated at times but never stopped trying. Saw a decent effort turned wide.
YOUSSEF CHERMITI -7: Was a real nuisance and his link play has improved hugely. Was just missing a goal and should’ve done better with early chance.
SUBSTITUTES: Miovski (Moore 64), Curits (Chermiti 73).
DANNY ROHL – 8: His side controlled things and the only frustration will be that they didn’t kill the contest.
LUDOGORETS (4-3-3): Bonmann ; Son (Andersson 90), Almeida, Verdon, Nedyalkov; Naressi (Chochev 74), Duarte, Stanic; Vidal (Ivanov 90), Bile (Machado 63), Marcus (Tekpetey 63).
REFEREE: Manfredas Lukjancukas (LIT) – 6
