Match Stats: Rangers v FC Shkupi – Europa League Qualifying 1st Round 1st Leg

Manager Steven Gerrard took charge of his first competitive match since coming into the Ibrox hot seat over the summer.

With plenty of eyes on his first proper selection as we go in search of a debut win as he occupies the dugout, a number of selections set tongues wagging such as Allan McGregor between the stick and Wes Foderingham not even making the bench, but there was a sense in Gerrard’s selection given this was the side that started the Bury friendly.

With the new squad gelling given our new arrivals, at least starting with the group that took in Bury, there was a slight chance greater understanding would be on show.

That decision seemed to pay off as Rangers took the lead through Jamie Murphy in a bright first half although Shkupi certainly had nerves rattling at points. Sadly the second period wasn’t quite as bright and the opposition had more chances of their own before we tied the game up with the late James Tavernier penalty. Thankfully Rangers weren’t made to pay for their wasted efforts and we go into the second leg with hopes of completing the job.

Rangers				FC Shkupi
Murphy (23), Tavernier (pen 90+2)
McGregor				Zendeli
Tavernier				Tipuric
Katic				Bajrami			45
Goldson				Ljamcevski			61
Flanagan				Muarem
McCrorie				Broja
Arfield			67	Owono Nchamaaa			92
Candeias			56	Illijoksi
Murphy			79	Vujcic
Windass				Stojkovski
Morelos				Adem
Substitutes
Alnwick				Bilali			45
John				Shabani			61
Jack			56	Aleksovski
Docherty				Krivanjeva			92
Halliday				Veliu
Ejaria			67	Ishmalji
Middleton			79

Game Statistics
21	Goal attempts	8
7	On Target	0
14	Corners	3
4	Fouls	4
2	Yellow Cards	4
0	Red Cards	0
0	%	0