Match Report and Ratings

[Bazza 21]

Bursaspor 1 vs. 1 Rangers

Written by Bazza

Tuesday, 07 December 2010

Bursaspor 1 : 1 Rangers

It feels like forever since the Gers last took to the field so their could be no excuses of tiredness and fatigue from any of the team on their Champions League 2010 swansong.

Rangers were still suffering from a few injury problems and although Bougherra was welcomed back into the side there was still signs of the squad size with the inclusion of Hutton again in midfield and young Dare Cole who was to make his debut at the right of the back five. The game may have been meaningless in terms of points and position but there was, firstly, a huge financial incentive to win the game and secondly the points co-efficient that would ensure Rangers a seeded spot in the draw for the knock out stages of the Europa League.

We knew what to expect in this game with Walter putting his tried and trusted European formation and tactics into practice and a night of little possession and counter attacks was the most we could hope for. A couple of early chances came Rangers way and when Whittaker and Naismith combined down the let flank, Whittaker dragged a cross low across the box and Miller pounced to fire home an emphatic strike. At that stage of the game Rangers looked by far the superior team with a goal or two more in it.

Half time was to change the game for the worse however as Bursaspor shuffled the pack and made a couple of changes to the playing staff and tactics. They seemed to have the more passion and drive and took the game to Rangers. The Right Back slot was the main focus of their attacks and young Cole in particular and after a sustained period, the effort paid off with an equalising goal and a share of the points late in the game.

A disappointing night for Rangers who looked as though they had more than enough to take the Turks but at the end they deserved, at least, their draw.

RM’s verdict:

McGregor – 6 Hardly had a touch of the ball despite the opposition possession and had little chance at the point blank effort that was their goal.

Cole – 5 Would have hoped for a better debut as first half he looked good, got forward and fired in a couple of crosses but second half was targeted and struggled a bit.

Bougherra - 5 Not the best night from Bougherra and looked as though he’d been out for a while. Got caught in possession too many times while driving forward.

Weir – 6 The linchpin of the back three and stood up well to the challenge until the late equaliser.

Whittaker – 7 Looked a lot more comfortable driving forward than staying back and did well to provide the cross for the Goal. Was culpable for missing his clearance for the equaliser.

Foster – 5 Didn’t do enough and, if honest, looked slightly out his depth. As a wingback he should have been a bit of a release ball to get width in the team but looked extremely reluctant to offer himself. Whittaker powered forward more often.

Davis – 7 Tried hard and kept possession well enough but all too often had nowhere to go and no one to pass to when he found some space.

Hutton – 5 Was on the periphery of the game tonight and just couldn’t get involved. Passing was a bit askew as well.

McCulloch – 6 Provided a bit of dig but was overrun all too often. We needed to keep hold of the ball more and look to the holding midfielders to do that.

Naismith – 7 A lively spark early on and made a couple of chances. Was involved in the build up to the goal but faded and was replaced in the second half.

Miller – 6 Ended his goal drought with a beautifully taken effort. Was caught offside a bit easy but worked his socks off up top.

Subs –

Beattie – 5 Long balls followed his introduction but kept the ball fairly well.

Weiss - 3 A disappointment when he was introduced and never got to utilise his pace.

McMillan - 4 Another youngster to get his chance and tackled hard to try and shore up the problem right slot.

Rangers: 01 McGregor, 03 Weir, 12 Foster, 16 Whittaker, 24 Bougherra, 45 Cole (McMillan 82), 06 McCulloch, 08 Davis, 09 Miller (Beattie 63), Naismith (Weiss 71), 41 Hutton

Subs: 25 Alexander, 23 McMillan, 36 Perry, 39 Wylde, 20 Weiss, 10 Fleck, 19 Beattie.

Goals: Miller 19

Booked: Beattie

Bursaspor: 01 Ozkan, 02 Aziz (Erdogan 46), 03 Wederson, 23 Keceli, 55 Stepanov, 05 Cimsir (Batalla 46), 06 Has, 07 Insua, 20 Ipek, 09 Yildirim, 29 Nunez (Bahadir 62)

Subs: 27 Ikanov, 04 Erdogan, 11 Kirita, 17 Batalla, 25 Ergic, 35 Odabasi, 22 Bahadir.

Goals: Yildirim 79

Booked: Has, Ipek

Att: 22,000

Ref: Chapron

[GersAvA92 53]

Pretty much agree with everything, we had a great first half, we were looking more dangerous on the attack and had no problems at the back.

Second half was a let-down for me, yeah we had to make subs but I think that's what gave the Turks the equaliser, that and poor defending, Cole was outpaced and couldn't get the block away.

Overall I'm happy, the lads showed grit and determination for the first goal, I think they need to be more goal hungry though, we seem to sit back and think we're comfortable far too often. Oh well, Europa here we come!

[Garnock Blue 317]

Davis??? passenger 2nd half...AGAIN

[double denim 29]

Personally i think young hutton is rotten. Not seen anything good off him to date. Hopefully he comes good though!!

[Papa Sasac 164]

I thought Davis was one of the only players who got things going. Yes his set pieces are pish...

[CanuckGer 0]

I am disappointed, although not surprised, that Walter decided to play so defensively against an inferior team. Hence why Davis had no one to pass to when he made his runs up the field. Gers should've kept pressing after going up a goal. Perhaps it was a mistake to take Miller off. What are the chances the game in Inverness will actually be played this Saturday?!

The defending was poor again and you could see their goal coming.

Glad the club got at least a point but they really should've earned three against Bursaspor.

[Bonkgers 3]

Davis??? passenger 2nd half...AGAIN

One of our better players tonight! Alot worse displays than Davis.

[Muff 245]

McGregor - 6

Whittaker - 5

Bougherra - 6

Weir - 6

Cole - 5

Foster - 6

Davis - 7 down to his 1st half performance.

Hutton - 6

McCulloch - 5

Naismith - 6

Miller - 5

Beattie - 5

Weiss - 2 looked like he was in a strop. Getting a bit big for his boots.

McMillan - 5 should be starting before Cole, IMO.

[Papa Sasac 164]

I thought McMillan had a nightmare few minutes, let Vederson, who had been tormenting Cole all night, wander past a few times to put a cross in.

[Broxi 11,681]

No one seems to have mentioned a brilliant tackle I saw mcmillan make, bursa player got the ball about seven yards from goal and mcmillan ran in and slide tackled him.

Average performances from Hutton and cole and agree with what was said

[Broxi 11,681]

That's now no away wins in like 15 matches in CL

last one was Lyon

[Ivybank 4,636]

lets face it the turks were dreadful and the last 10 mins were like the alamo thats a team that had 7 changes from playing

a league game on the sunday the usual away performance in europe 1 or 2 shots at goal and 80 mins defending.why walter never played 2 up

against opposition like that is beyond me

[Amac9 2,060]

McGregor - 6

Cole - 6

Bougherra - 7

Weir - 6

Whittaker - 6

Foster - 7

Davis - 7

McCulloch - 5

Hutton - 5

Naismith - 7

Miller - 6