Olympiakos 1 Rangers 1
For three long months, Philippe Clement’s claim that Rangers supporters would see an improvement in their side by late October has been an albatross hanging around his neck.
If it took the Belgian a little longer to deliver on that pledge than he hoped, none of the supporters who celebrated a prized point in the Europa League long into the night in the port of Piraeus will feel like upbraiding him for his tardiness.
This was a fine outcome for the embattled Rangers manager. On the back of easing out Motherwell to reach the Premier Sports Cup final last weekend, his words of promise in the summer now don’t ring quite so hollow.
After a thoroughly wretched period in which his credentials for the job had come under scrutiny, this should buy him time and restore his credibility. The baying mob will have to stand down for now.
Cyriel Dessers scores his crucial equaliser against the Greeks
Striker Dessers, left, is congratulated by team-mates Cerny and Diomande
Rangers boss Clement rallies his troops during the 1-1 draw
Facing Conference League holders Olympiakos in their own back yard, there was little to suggest Rangers had the wherewithal to prevail.
What character they showed, though. An impressive first half display looked like counting for little when Olympiakos’ talisman Ayoub El Kaabi scored early in the second period.
But the collapse that so many would have feared didn’t materialise. Cyriel Dessers’ equaliser was no more than the visitors deserved.
While the side’s travails in the Premiership remain a cause for concern, seven points from four Europa League matches is an impressive return.
Even with Manchester United and Tottenham on the horizon, you’d fancy Clement’s side to reach the magic number of 10 that they’d most likely require to progress to the knock-out stage from their games with Nice and Union St Gilloise.
If his side perform with the spirit and cohesion they did here, they might well get there with something to spare.
This was miles better from the inadequate display the Belgian’s team served up at Aberdeen eight days previously. While their inconsistency remains a concern, this was a purposeful step in the right direction.
Clement was clearly not intent on leaving this place wondering what might have been. Evidently unwilling to trust James Tavernier, he benched the skipper in favour of Dujon Sterling.
Given Tavernier’s vast experience on this stage, it was a huge call. Sterling could certainly hold his head high by the time he was withdrawn in the second half, his efforts largely nullifying the Greeks’ winger Gelson Martins.
The Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium made for an extraordinary backdrop as the European adventure of Clement’s side continued.
The denizens of the port of Piraeus live and breathe Olympiakos. With every man, woman and child seemingly wearing the famous red and white colours, the backing they gave their favourites could have made the eardrums bleed. ‘Same colours, same blood,’ read the banner in their ultras section.
With 47 titles, Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side were already the most successful side in Greece prior to becoming the first in their nation’s history to lift a European trophy when they defeated Fiorentina in the Conference League Final in May. The party hasn’t really stopped since.
The riches the club gleaned from that triumph funded a summer reboot that saw players including Roman Yaremchuk and Willian arrive. Rangers were grateful the Brazilian is currently injured.
Ayoub El Kaabi gives Olympiakos the lead against Rangers with a fine shot
El Kaabi runs away to celebrate after scoring the opener for the Greek side
Dessers was to cancel out that goal, however, and acknowledges the travelling fans
Club captain James Tavernier was on the bench for the Europa League clash
Christos Mouzakitis, the 17-year-old wonder kid who’s just been called up for the Greek squad, was fit and able to take his place in central midfield.
Tom Lawrence’s injury forced Clement’s hand, with Mohamed Diomande drafted in. Robin Propper displaced Leon Balogun.
By far the most eye-catching alteration, though, was Sterling playing ahead of skipper Tavernier. Bluntly, after a poor start to the season, the latter’s days in a Rangers jersey now look to be numbered. Jack Butland wore the armband in his absence.
There was no great secret to Rangers’ game plan. Get the ball to Dessers as early and as often as possible. It was not easy on the eye but, in fairness, it did ask a lot of questions of the Greeks.
Mohamed Diomande’s cut-back onto his right foot allowed him to work Kostas Tzolakis with an early strike.
Dessers’ first sight of goal came via a 50 yard punt from Connor Barron. A lack of pace allowed Tzolakis to win the race.
The Nigeria international did work the keeper soon after when Barron again found him.
You could cut him a degree of slack for not finding the net on that occasion. But when Vaclav Cerny found space down the right and cut the ball back, Dessers simply had to score. To Clement’s frustration, Tzolakis got a leg in the way.
While Costinha did force Butland into a save at the other end and Nico Raskin was fortunate that a cheap turnover of possession came to nothing, Clement would have been content with what his side produced in the opening half hour.
His side posed a threat on the front foot. And when they lost the ball, they fell back into a compact shape which Olympiakos struggled to break down.
The one major scare came when Costinha found Chiquinho with a beautifully disguised forward pass which eliminated the visiting midfield.
Martins gathered on the overlap. To Butland’s considerable relief, the final strike flew into the side netting.
Cerny had been name-checked by home manager Jose Luis Mendilibar as Rangers’ main danger and he lived up to that billing.
One dart in from the right from the Czech left three opponents standing although his shot lacked much purchase.
The fact the half-time whistle arrived without El Kaabi having a clear shot at goal spoke to the defensive diligence of Clement’s players.
Yet within 11 minutes of the restart, all that good work had been undone. Rangers had looked unsettled for a few minutes and seemed collectively to be on their heels when the ball came under Chiquinho’s spell inside the box.
His cross left El Kaabi facing towards his own goal. Having re-adjusted his footing, he sent the ball crashing in off the woodwork.
For a few minutes, Rangers were all at sea. Chiquinho’s curler had Butland scampering and flashed just beyond the far post.
Skipper Jack Butland and players applaud the travelling Rangers contingent
Clement hails the contribution of winger Cerny, who Olympiakos identified as danger man
Neraysho Kasanwirjo, who’d replaced Sterling, struggled to up to the pace of the game.
A second goal would have done for Clement’s players at that stage. Yet they came again and seized their next chance to draw level within eight minutes.
Cerny was the provider, his sharpness onto a loose ball allowing him to release Dessers.
Olympiakos and Nottingham Forest co-owner Evangelos Marinakis before kick-off
The forward strode towards the target and this time made no mistake, a cute low finish evading the advancing keeper finding the far corner of the net.
Dessers could have had a second but badly scuffed his strike, with Nedim Bajrami firing another shot from a promising position straight at Tzolakis.
Olympiakos at times looked ordinary but that would be to do Clement’s side a disservice.
As another home attack petered out, the Belgian applauded the energy and application of his players. Tavernier was one of a raft of late subs asked to see the game out.
Without any question, they deserved to get over the finishing line with a point. After such an underwhelming season to date, it might just prove to be the start of something.
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