With Celtic smashing St Johnstone 7-0 on Saturday, Rangers needed a win in their opening game of the season against Kilmarnock.
They got it – but only just, needing an injury-time winner from defender Connor Goldson after a Stephen O’Donnell equaliser on 83 minutes had threatened to upend the script.
It wasn’t a vintage display from Rangers and 22-year-old Sheyi Ojo, impressive in pre-season, looked lost out on the right.
He was replaced in the 78th minute by Jordan Jones, who added more energy to a Rangers side who looked like they were going to self-destruct again as they had so many times last season.
Steven Gerrard will be particularly unhappy about the manner of the Kilmarnock equaliser, with O’Donnell ghosting into the box unmarked to fire home high into the net.
However, for the most part, Rangers defended well and Goldson was the hero at the death.
Ojo will need to look at where things went wrong and reset for the next game, with fixtures already coming thick and fast for Rangers. They play FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday before the next Premiership game against Hibs on Sunday.
Meanwhile, here’s what the Rangers fans made of Ojo’s performance in their season opener:
So yesterday wasn’t great BUT we won at a ground where we dropped six points last season against the team who finished in 3rd place. Gerrard will know we need to play better going forward. IMO Jones should of started – or have been brought on earlier as Ojo was anonymous.
— That Rangers Guy (@ThatRangersGuy) August 5, 2019
Thoughts on today.
Barisic was really poor. Keep waiting for it to happen for him but its starting to look unlikely. Thought Ojo was quiet and struggled to impact the game. Tav wasn't great but drove us up the park for the winner. #leader
A massive 3 points already#Rangers
— M.H. (@MarkHarvey83) August 4, 2019
Need much better from Ojo. Still not convinced that’s an upgrade from Candeias.
— Chris McLaughlin (@Chr1sMcLaughlin) August 4, 2019
It’s not easy breaking into a new side as a loan player but Ojo has had a pretty fast start to his Rangers career, scoring two goals in three Europa qualifiers.
He shouldn’t be judged on his first Premiership game, especially as the Kilmarnock pitch is pretty awful to play on.
We cannot afford passengers this season. Every single player that pulls on the shirt and is on the field needs to give everything in every game. Ojo might realise quite quickly what's expected at Rangers so here's hoping????
— Menzies (@menzies999) August 4, 2019
Rangers was so slow today! Jack was one of our best player where as usually you would look at him being to slow! A number 10 is needed. Ojo non existent today ?
— Jordan Tait (@JordyT8) August 4, 2019
Ojo also took up really wide positions at times. Completely out of the game for large spells and left Rangers with one less option to play through.
Also, I know crossing is widely disregarded, but Rangers' crossing was really poor. Barisic can do better.
— Blair Newman (@blaz_ftbl) August 4, 2019
Ojo and Barisic very poor. They targeted Barisic with long diagonals mate, for me hes just not good enough.
— Rangers Bantz (@RangersBanter17) August 4, 2019
That was dreadful. Doesn’t matter how we win just as long as we do. Big 3 points! Don’t want to see Barasic or Ojo anywhere near that team next game. Both were crap. Why we have spent big money on a centre back when we’re crying out for a creative number 10 type player #Rangers
— John (@J55Weir) August 4, 2019
Putting the display of Ojo aside for now, it does seem like Rangers are at least one attacking player short of a side that can mount a Premiership challenge this season.
One fan said they need a number 10 type player and we think another attacking wide player would be good too. The Scottish transfer window is open until September so there’s still time for additions to the squad.
However, as one fan said, it ended up being a “massive” three points for the Gers from a ground where it’s not easy to dig out a result.