OPINION
Rangers were unable to make the most of their home advantage against Spartak Moscow on Thursday night as the Russian side stood resolute in a tightly-fought 0-0 draw.
Both sides had chances to score but neither goalkeeper was severely tested in what looked to be a war of attrition between the two sides, and while both bowed neither broke under the pressure of the opposition.
There were some things for the Ibrox faithful to celebrate, and other things which would have left them tearing their hair out.
This is Futbol has picked out three things learned about the Light Blues in their clash with Spartak:
Time for Grezda to be unleashed
Fans once again got to see a cameo from winger Eros Grezda on Thursday, with the summer signing having featured just three times prior to his first Europa League outing for the Gers.
He almost made an immediate impact too, finding himself at the right place in the right time to threaten the goal and force a point blank stop from Spartak’s keeper to keep the score level.
While Ryan Kent dazzled on one flank, Daniel Candeias did not have the same impact on the other and with Grezda back among the action, it is time for Steven Gerrard to unleash the 23-year-old if for no other reason than so what he can bring to the side.
He has looked a promising talent when featuring from the bench and perhaps he could bring another cutting edge to an already potent Rangers attack.
Jack brings control to the midfield
He might have lasted just under 70 minutes on his return to European action after his recent injury absence but the impact that Ryan Jack made to the midfield was clear to see.
The central star might not be the flashiest figure in the Gers starting XI but what he is is a dependable performer who can keep the game in the Light Blues’ favour.
It is no surprise that Gerrard’s men were dominant in possession while Jack was on the field, as he saw plenty of the ball to distribute it around the pitch.
He brings a control that few others do, and Gerrard will be happy to have the 26-year-old back in the fray.
Lazy Coulibaly deserves the axe
There might have been some great displays on show at Ibrox on Thursday but Lassana Coulibaly was not one of those.
His lazy performance in the middle of the park was perhaps best summed up when a ball across the box from Alfredo Morelos drifted past the midfielder as he watched on, with some sort of attempt to play the ball with a diving effort would have almost certainly secured the goal that Rangers needed.
The 22-year-old was always a yard off the pace and while it might be fitness, it looked a lot more like his lack of desire left him chasing shadows at times.
Gerrard cannot afford passengers in his side and it would be best for the side if he were to be axed from the starting XI if for nothing more than to give him a break from action.