Sam Lammers makes Rangers impact but striking need stands out in Newcastle glamour clash – 3 talking points

New Rangers front-man Sam Lammers grabbed his first goal for the club in Allan McGregor’s last-ever game at Ibrox.

The Dutchman got off the mark for Michael Beale’s men against Newcastle as the legendary keeper’s testimonial ended in a 2-1 defeat. Lammers equalised after Miguel Almiron had given the Premier League side a first-half lead. Then Scotland Under-21 starlet Harrison Ashby won it for Eddie Howe’s men late on.

But the night was all about McGregor who took the acclaim of a capacity support in Govan. The 41-year-old played for the first 38 minutes before being replaced by Gers’ new number one, Jack Butland. After 16 years service to the club, McGregor got a standing ovation from both sets of fans and hugs from all of his teammates. Beale gave five of his summer signings their debut, with Abdallah Sima, Leon Balogun and Kieran Dowell also featuring against the Magpies.

Almiron fired past McGregor on 16 minutes after a clever pass from Newcastle’s £65 million midfielder Sandro Tonali. Rangers were second best in the first half but improved after the interval and got level through Lammers.

He mugged Bruno Guimaraes before slotting past Karl Darlow to make it 1-1. But before McGregor’s lap of honour at the end, Ashby headed home an Alexander Isak cross to seal the victory.

Everyone at Ibrox was eager for a first glimpse of Rangers’ new strikers, Sam Lammers and Abdallah Sima. But the truth is, neither player looks like an out-and-out front-man.

And that’s why Michael Beale will be so keen to get his £4 million Nigerian, Cyriel Dessers, up to speed as soon as possible. They need a replacement for Alfredo Morelos but, as much as on-loan Brighton star Sima was deployed there last night, he looks more dangerous playing