Celtic and Rangers never like to have much in common. This week, they most certainly have.
Forty eight hours after Celtic discovered mistakes which go unpunished in Scotland will be capitalised upon at elite level, Rangers suffered an identical fate. The scoreline at Ibrox may not have matched Borussia Dortmund’s 7-1 mauling of the Scottish champions but the theme was the same.
Rangers will inevitably beat St Johnstone on Sunday, fuelling excitement about the remote possibility of a two-horse domestic race, but here was another striking example of how far short Scottish teams are from the top level.
Lyon’s pace, power and counter-attacking menace left Rangers grasping desperately for air. Rangers, who like to consider themselves as Europa League specialists, had no reply to such an efficient away performance. There is general unease around Rangers just now; how Lyon exposed that. In spells Lyon were a joy to watch; they were unquestionably allowed to be. Rangers were sorely lacking in aggression and composure.
The Rangers manager Philippe Clement used pre-match media duties to dismiss any notion Lyon represented favourable opposition. Pierre Sage’s team have taken just seven points from their first half dozen games in Ligue 1 despite heavy summer spending. Clement, in short, would not mind Lyon’s supposed troubles. Rangers are already a distant second in a city where being the runner-up provides no comfort whatsoever.
With Sir Alex Ferguson among the crowd, the game opened in peculiar circumstances. Rangers had been the better team – James Tavernier missed one chance, Vaclav Cerny an even better one – before Malick Fofana curled the visitors into the lead. John Souttar’s block on Rayan Cherki fell straight at Fofana’s feet.
Shortly before this strike, Rangers’ ultra element had audibly irked even their fellow supporters with a pyrotechnic and firework display, alongside a banner in support of a couple of their number who presumably have been up to no good. Rangers are one of a number of clubs who have indulged this tedious, perma-boring element for too long. Another Uefa fine beckons.
On the field, Rangers responded impressively to Fofana’s goal. Lucas Perri, Lyon’s goalkeeper, dallied with Cyriel Dessers lurking in front of him. Tom Lawrence continued his fine recent form by stealing in to prod the ball home and restore parity. It was fully deserved.
Next, it was Rangers’ turn to apply calamity. Connor Barron was, in some people’s eyes, a surprise omission from Steve Clarke’s latest Scotland squad. Barron demonstrated his shortcomings in possession by gifting the ball to Fofana. After a quick break and clever jink inside, Fofana rolled the ball to Alexandre Lacazette. The Lyon captain afforded Jack Butland no chance.
Butland barely bothered to move as Lyon claimed a third in first half stoppage time. Loose Rangers play had culminated in bundling the ball out for a series of throw-ins. Lyon worked the ball forward to Lacazette, who cut in from the left flank and lashed the ball beyond the former England goalkeeper from 22 yards. It was a stunning finish, one which sapped the energy out of Ibrox.
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Fofana notched Lyon’s fourth when the most credit was due to the outstanding Cherki. Quick feet from the 21-year-old bamboozled Barron. Cherki crossed to the back post, where Fofana had nipped in front of Tavernier for the simplest of scoring tasks.
Tavernier was withdrawn after an hour, which looked like a rare Clement admission his captain was toiling. In truth, he was far from the only one. Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who replaced Tavernier, headed from his own goal-line as Corentin Tolisso sought to make it five. Duje Caleta-Car had struck the Rangers crossbar just seconds earlier.
Kieran Dowell offered a form of Rangers riposte with a half-volley which Perri clawed out of his top-right corner. At the other end, Said Benrahma’s first act was to draw a sharp stop from Butland. Lyon’s removal of Fofana and Cherki represented about the finest news of Clement’s evening at the office. In fairness to Rangers, that duo will cause headaches for far stronger teams.
Lacazette slammed wide. Lyon, season properly kickstarted, had no real need to add to their tally. Another one of Scottish football’s aristocrats had taken its turn to encounter a sobering European night. Back to the domestic comfort zone they go.
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