
Written by – Jamie Currie
As the second quarter of the season is coming around fast, I gave each member of the squad, and the manager a rating out of 10 so far. Here is how they fared:
Goalkeepers
Wes Foderingham
Appearances: 14 Starts: 14 Total Minutes: 1,260
Goals Conceded: 10
Clean Sheets: 7
Rating: 8/10
Overall Assessment: The big Englishman has been a welcome addition to the new-look side. After a few shaky moments in the first few games, Foderingham has really grown into the Rangers No.1 jersey. He’s commanding and is a good shot-stopper; his distribution has helped the team launch many attacks.
Cammy Bell
Appearances: N/A
Goals Conceded: N/A
Clean Sheets: N/A
Rating: N/A
Overall Assessment: Not much you can say about Bell, to be honest. He is currently injured, but he will almost certainly struggle to dislodge Foderingham from the team.
Liam Kelly
Appearances: N/A
Goals Conceded: N/A
Clean Sheets: N/A
Rating: N/A
Overall Assessment: Liam has been on the bench all season, at 20, he still has plenty of time to improve.
Defenders
James Tavernier
Appearances: 14 Starts: 14 Total Minutes: 1,221
Assists: 4
Goals: 9
Rating: 10/10
Overall Assessment: Tavernier has been a revelation; his free-kick against Hibs set the tone for his Rangers career and he has never looked back. It’s always a high-energy, emotional performance you get from the former Wigan man. He also has added a much-needed set-piece threat to the team’s attacking arsenal.
Lee Wallace
Appearances: 14 Starts: 14 Total Minutes: 1,202
Assists: 3
Goals: 5
Rating: 9/10
Overall Assessment: He has stepped into the role of captaincy a lot better than I personally expected and his performances have been excellent. The left-back has been superb in the first quarter, and he looks much fitter and stronger than he ever did at any point last season.
Danny Wilson
Appearances: 13 Starts: 13 Total Minutes: 1,170
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Rating: 7/10
Overall Assessment: Wilson has returned and looked superb and tidy in some matches, but he has a degree of slackness in his game from time to time. Hopefully the more games he plays with a settled back five, he will improve as the season goes on.
Rob Kiernan
Appearances: 12 Starts: 12 Total Minutes: 1,080
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Rating: 7.5/10
Overall Assessment: Kiernan is the dominant one of the defensive pairing; he is good in the air and a strong tackler. He also is quickly cementing his place as the best centre-back at the club. The 24-year-old has had a solid first quarter to his maiden season as a Gers player and will only improve.
Dominic Ball
Appearances: 5 Starts: 2 Total Minutes: 327
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Rating: 6/10
Overall Assessment: The Spurs loanee has only made a handful of appearances so far, but in the games he has started, away at Ayr, Airdrie and Dumbarton – he’s looked more than capable at centre-back. He’s quick, a strong tackler and good on the ball. The next quarter could be pivotal for him at the club. He will be hoping to get a few more games and force himself into the starting line-up – impressive so far.
Fraser Aird
Appearances: 3 Starts: 0 Total Minutes: 36
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Rating: 3/10
Overall Assessment: Aird has been moved to a new role at right-back. Naturally, he has struggled to get game time due to the outstanding displays of James Tavernier. It could be a rough few months for the youngster.
Midfielders
Andy Halliday
Appearances: 13 Starts: 13 Total Minutes: 1,135
Goals: 3
Assist: 1
Rating: 8.75/10
Overall Assessment: Halliday has been a superb signing. He has been playing in a role that he is rather unfamiliar with and he’s relishing every minute of it. His big-hearted displays have already made him an instant fans’ favourite. The three goals he has to his name so far have not done him any harm either.
Jason Holt
Appearances: 12 Starts: 11 Total Minutes: 797
Goals: 2
Assists: 5
Rating: 8.25/10
Overall Assessment: Holt is possibly the best 65k Rangers have spent in a long time. He’s been easy on the eye and worked hard in the first quarter, and he makes little diagonal runs time and time again. Very good signing and will only get better.
Gedion Zelalem
Appearances: 7 Starts: 7 Total Minutes: 538
Goals: 0
Assists: 5
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall Assessment: He plays the game like he’s in a bubble; no one can get close to him. He always has the ability to find an extra yard or two on the park. He also has great vision for someone at only 18 and can find the killer pass. Hopefully he stays beyond January – a joy to watch.
Dean Shiels
Appearances: 12 Starts: 4 Total Minutes: 557
Goals: 3
Assists: 1
Rating: 6.5/10
Overall Assessment: Shiels has carried on his form from the back end of last season. When he has come off the bench, he has made a good contribution, more often than not. Good squad player.
Nicky Law
Appearances: 12 Starts: 6 Total Minutes: 581
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Rating: 5.5/10
Overall Assessment: Law has naturally fell out of the side since Zelalem has joined, that being said, he did make a promising start to the season. Decent sub but fades too often when given the starting jersey.
Wingers
Barrie McKay
Appearances: 14 Starts: 12 Total Minutes: 935
Goals: 3
Assists: 7
Rating: 8.5/10
Overall Assessment: It’s like having a new signing, as the old cliché goes. But, really, it is. McKay’s improvements have impressed and possibly surprised everyone. He’s improved in every aspect of his game, especially his final ball and his work rate. The winger is a shoe-in for Young Player of the Year at this stage.
David Templeton
Appearances: 3 Starts: 2 Total Minutes: 124
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Rating: 4/10
Overall Assessment: He has all the ability in the world, but his performances could be better. Injured again, but hopefully will get fit and add something to the side in the next quarter.
Tom Walsh
Appearances: 2 Starts: 2 Total Minutes: 119
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Rating: 3.5/10
Overall Assessment: Walsh looked the better of he and McKay, but he’s fell out the picture with injury and the form of McKay and Oduwa. He certainly has a part to play in the remainder of the season.
Nathan Oduwa
Appearances: 11 Starts: 7 Total Minutes: 691
Goals: 0
Assists: 3
Rating: 7/10
Overall Assessment: The 19-year-old is a box of tricks and has had the fans on their feet on many occasion, he still has to iron out the little flaws in his game. However, it has been a very good start for the youngster to his Rangers career.
Strikers
Martyn Waghorn
Appearances: 14 Starts: 14 Total Minutes: 1,111 Minutes Per Goal: 79
Goals: 14
Assists: 4
Rating: 10/10
Overall Assessment: The man’s stats speak volumes. He’s not only about the work with the ball, his first touch and overall teamwork is phenomenal. You couldn’t really have asked for a better start from Waghorn. If he continues to improve, he will be a POTY candidate come May, for sure.
Kenny Miller
Appearances: 11 Starts: Total Minutes: 589 Minutes Per Goal: 118
Goals: 5
Assists: 3
Rating: 7/10
Overall Assessment: There is life in the old dog yet. Proving he is worthy of the term super-sub. He looks 10 years younger at times and will be vital throughout the season – born winner.
Nicky Clark
Appearances: 7 Starts: 2 Total Minutes: 280 Minutes Per Goal: 140
Goals: 2
Assists: 2
Rating: 6/10
Overall Assessment: He has done well when got the chance, and both goals he scored so far were sharp finishes. He is decent back-up option.
Ryan Hardie
Appearances: 2 Starts: 0 Minutes Per Goal: N/A
Goals: 0
Assists: 0
Rating: 3
Overall Assessment: The young boy has undoubted potential, but with Waghorn banging them in has had to make do with limited minutes. He’s got lots of time on his side.
Mark Warburton
Rating: 10/10
Overall Assessment: Warbs has brought exciting, attacking football back to Ibrox. He and the team are making the trip to watch Rangers a pleasure. The signings have been magnificent, the style of play is easy on the eye, and the start to the season has been much better than anyone imagined. Also, the way he conducts himself is the way any Rangers manager should.
What happened to the midfielder(can’t remember his name) but he was injured and in his 30s ?I aven’t heard any reports on him for a while.I hope you will re ember his name from what I’ve said? Sorry to be so vague perhaps you can help.Janet
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John Eustace should be signing this week Janet.
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