Report: Gers Round Off Preseason Against Union Berlin
RANGERS rounded off pre-season with an action-packed 4-4 draw with Union Berlin in the German capital.
Tom Lawrence and Cyriel Dessers both netted doubles for the Light Blues as attention now turns to the start of the Scottish Premiership season next Saturday.
For this one Jack Butland started in goal, with a back four of captain James Tavernier, John Souttar, Ben Davies and Jefte. Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron were joined in midfield by Tom Lawrence, while Cyriel Dessers led the line with support from Scott Wright and Oscar Cortes.
Manager Philippe Clement was without Dujon Sterling, who has a small muscle injury and Kieran Dowell who missed out through illness.
There was a fantastic atmosphere inside Stadion An der Alten Försterei for this friendly as Rangers got the action underway in Berlin.
With their first chance of the game, it was the German side who took the lead. Benedict Hollerbach drove down the left flank before finding Janik Haberer inside the box and he sent a powerful right-footed shot beyond Butland and into the back of the net.
With 14 minutes played, Rangers were back level and it was striker Cyriel Dessers with the goal. Mohamed Diomande fed a lovely ball through to the Nigerian and he showed composure to take a touch around the goalkeeper and slot low beyond Karl Claus.
It was a lively start to this friendly and shortly after, Union Berlin were awarded a penalty by the referee. Yorbe Vertessen drove down the left flank and into the box, before Mohamed Diomande was judged to have fouled the forward as he looked to get a shot away and the referee pointed to the spot.
Jordan Siebatcheu stepped up and made no mistake in dispatching beyond Butland to give Union Berlin the lead once again.
It was 2-2 with 32 minutes played, as Rangers again drew level. It was a good bit of build-up play from Scott Wright as he broke free from his man in midfield to drive forward and pick out Cyriel Dessers to his right. Dessers’ initial shot was blocked by a Union Berlin defender, but Tom Lawrence struck the rebound first time to guide the ball into the corner of the net.
Just minutes later, Rangers were ahead as Lawrence had his second of the game with another fine finish. It was another positive team move from Clement’s men which resulted in James Tavernier finding Lawrence on the edge of the box. The Welshman took a touch into the area before sending a superb strike straight into the top corner.
It was 3-3 just minutes as a cross field pass from the left found Janik Haberer who had made a darting run into the area and he sent the ball low and powerful beyond Butland.
Into the second-half, there were several changes for the hosts, while Rangers remained unchanged.
Early in the half, Ivan Prtajin curled a shot over the bar, before the substitute headed just wide from a corner shortly after.
With 58 minutes played, the hosts were back ahead as David Preu curled a right-footed shot through the bodies in the box and in at the post beyond Butland.
Clement did turn to his bench with an hour played in Berlin as James Tavernier and Oscar Cortes were replaced by Leon King and Rabbi Matondo for the final period of this friendly.
It was 4-4 with 68 minutes on the clock, and it was a double for Cyriel Dessers. A long ball from John Souttar found the striker in the box and he took a touch to find space to shoot and finish low into the back of the net.
Ross McCausland and Ridvan were next to be introduced for Rangers for the final 20 minutes of the match, with Tom Lawrence and Jefte making way.
Yannic Stein pulled off a great save to deny Scott Wright, with Mohamed Diomande unable to keep down the rebound as it went high over the crossbar.
Berlin-born Leon Balogun and Danilo were next to be introduced for Rangers as they came on in place of Ben Davies and Cyriel Dessers.
There were no real chances of note for either side, with the hosts having a couple of corners which Rangers dealt with in the final 10 minutes.
Attention now turns to Tynecastle next Saturday as the 2024/25 Scottish Premiership season gets underway.
RANGERS: Butland, Tavernier (King, 60), Souttar, Davies (Balogun, 80), Jefte (Ridvan, 71), Diomande, Barron, Lawrence (McCausland, 71), Wright, Cortes (Matondo, 60), Dessers (Danilo, 80).
Subs not used: Kelly, Budinauckas, Nsiala.
Union Berlin: Klaus, Jaeckel, Leite, Doekhi, Gosens, Vertessen, Khedira, Hollerback, Siebatcheu, Haberer, Kemlein.
Subs: Stein, Vogt, Prtajin, Bedia, Querfeld, Skarke, Trimmel, Tousart, Kral, Ogbemudia, Preu.