Birmingham City player ratings vs Rangers - as two score 8/10 and new signings impress

Birmingham City kicked off their home pre-season action in style with a thrilling 2-1 victory over Scottish Premiership giants Rangers on Wednesday evening.

An impressive turnout of 19,009 spectators watched on for the Trevor Francis Memorial Match at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, including an army of 7,202 loud and proud ‘Gers in the away end.

Chris Davies received an excellent welcome from Bluenoses for his maiden home match in charge, supporters in their droves cheering on the men in royal blue as they entered the turf in B9.

It was an entertaining tie from the offset, Blues establishing early confidence in possession with passes zipping around in promising fashion. The hosts had the first decent chance as tricky winger Emil Hansson played in Koji Miyoshi, but the Japanese’s shot was blocked and turned away.

Blues took the lead in the 10th minute as Miyoshi’s inswinging corner was bundled into his own net by James Tavernier. The cross was whipped in with pace, wrong-footing ‘Gers captain and breaking the deadlock for the hosts.

Approaching the break, Birmingham netted a deserved second goal through last season’s League One Golden Boot winner, Alfie May. The former Charlton Athletic man, found excellently by a Laird cut-back, poked the ball home beneath Rangers goalkeeper Liam Kelly. It was coming as Blues were dominating possession and had near misses through Paik Seung-ho and Hansson earlier in the half.

Rangers had the odd half-chance but most of the joy came down the left flank for Birmingham as cross-field passes often found Hansson, who displayed exquisite ball control. Several of his onward passes and crosses found attacking counterparts in dangerous areas.

Davies made two changes at the interval, replacing Dion Sanderson and Hansson with Christoph Klarer and Siriki Dembele. There were then nine substitutions all at once as the clock struck 66, providing opportunities for youngsters Tommy Fogarty, Romelle Donovan and Brandon Khela to impress.

The visitors, motivated by a tremendous pyro display lighting the entire away side red, enjoyed a better spell at the start of the second period. Birmingham’s resolute defence was eventually beaten in the 70th minute as Scott Wright blasted the ball into the net from a Cyriel Dessers flick-on, making the score 2-1.

Rangers grew in confidence after their goal, helped a tad by Blues’ mass of substitutions struggling at first to meet the pace of the game. But those who entered the field eventually gained composure and Birmingham were able to keep their narrow advantage to win the tie. Here are our player ratings from an exciting evening at St Andrew’s.