FootyChatter.com

After all that has gone on behind the scenes and on the pitch at Rangers in this nascent season, Thursday's comfortable Europa League win in Malmo felt as though it was needed. Manager Philippe Clement said it was the "perfect start" to their campaign, and also agreed it was their best performance of the term so far. However, the Rangers boss was also clear there is plenty to improve on, not least their ruthlessness in front of goal. Nonetheless, there was a hint of relief from Clement that his team had started to prove him right amid a difficult start to the campaign and questions over the club's transfer strategy. "I'm happy everybody will start to see there were really good things done in the transfer window, " the Belgian said. "Cutting the wages but bringing in young exciting players, experienced ones too. There is good balance in the squad in that way. "This team can grow to become better than last season. That's the goal and it was not easy with the situation we were in. " Rangers start Europa League with fine win in Malmo Podcast: 'It's surreal that this was so comfortable' Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan views Clement's words were considered but instructive of a man who was quickly needing proof from some signings they could cut the mustard at Rangers. It was a big help that Nedim Bajrami cleverly followed up Cyriel Dessers' effort to give Rangers the lead after only 56 seconds in Sweden. The Albania international impressed on the left wing, creating four chances while hitting the target three times himself, and winning the ball back on eight occasions, more than any other Rangers player. Neraysho Kasanwirjo, the Feyenoord loanee, made his debut as an emergency left-back and fitted in seamlessly, defending comfortably while getting forward to get on the end of a good move, which he should have finished. Centre-back Robin Propper also put in his most convincing display, helping restrict Malmo to a single shot on goal alongside John Souttar. "You see more and more that players get connections, " Clement added. "The amount of players who were not here one or two months ago, the team is making a massive step forward to play that kind of football in this environment against that kind of opponent. " For all the positive play, Rangers' most glaring shortcoming in Malmo was their lack of ruthless edge, something which haunted them last season too. In the end it did not matter such was their dominance and the Swedes' lack of bite up the other end. But Kasanwirjo, Dessers, and Vaclav Cerny all passed up gilt-edged chances and there were others which should have been dispatched. Clement says they will "continue to work on" their end product, and pointed to the fact winger Ross Mc Causland banged in the second goal on his weaker left foot, having worked tirelessly to improve his technique. Ally Mc Coist, who knows a thing or two about finishing, said Rangers' play in front of goal "has to improve". "They weren't half chances, " the former Rangers striker said on TNT Sports. "They were great chances to score and put the game beyond any shadow of a doubt. "You might get away with it in some games in Scotland, and very occasionally in Europe. But against the better teams you won't. "It might seem harsh to be talking about missed chances when Rangers have played so well, but it has to improve. " The next question is whether Rangers can keep building on this impressive display. They have a tough Europa League fixture list, with Lyon next, and games against both Tottenham and Manchester United to come as well. Already five points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership, the key is for Rangers to keep delivering displays like this. Otherwise, the questions will only intensify again. "To get a result here in Sweden, it should give all the players and staff a lift, " former Rangers striker Steven Thompson said on BBC Scotland's Sportsound. "There was negativity at Rangers in the summer surrounding what was happening at Ibrox and with transfers. "You want to shake that off as quickly as you can, so a result like tonight is massive for the club. "They need to kick on and use this as a tool to improve. " Ten-man Spurs beat Qarabag in Europa League opener Ricciardo replaced by Lawson at RB for rest of 2024 'Perfect' start in Malmo, but can Rangers kick on? Extraordinary courtroom access to an unfolding trial Listen as a 46-year-old cold case goes to trial to discover who killed Renee and Andrew Mac Rae New comedy-drama starring David Mitchell Can John 'Ludwig' Taylor crack the biggest puzzle of his life? A brand new four-part stand-up comedy A comedy series about what we can do to speed up climate change and bring a swift end to life on Earth As futures hang in the balance, what would you decide? An eye-opening look at Britain's parole boards Where did it go wrong for Naismith & what's next for Hearts? Will Glasgow be last leg or clever rebirth for Commonwealths? What do athletes think about Glasgow 2026? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs Subscribe & follow updates on your Premiership team What was - and wasn't - discussed at Premier League meeting From facing Pele to Bath City FC - meet the 80-year-old assistant manager How many free sports tickets have Starmer and MPs received? From Test match to wedding - Stone's Pakistan dash Meet the record-breakers & future stars given EFL Cup chance Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference. Video Mourinho furious with 70-minute wait for derby news conference Heavyweight permutations - what next after Dubois' win? A plane crash, fireworks disaster & car tragedy - how Twente shaped Ten Hag I've been told not to lift my kids up - Wood on injury Fearnley not obsessed about breaking into top 100 England's Brook gets first ODI century Video England's Brook gets first ODI century F1 Q&A: Are there problems between drivers and the FIA? 'Celtic hold a royal flush, Rangers a pair of twos' What does 'momentous' Friedkin takeover mean for Everton? Exploring the 'dark arts' in Man City v Arsenal 'Mentally, physically & tactically, Arsenal show why they are a force' Red card chaos and Haaland 'housery' - MOTD analysis. Video Red card chaos and Haaland 'housery' - MOTD analysis 'It took inspired brilliance to beat Mc Ilroy at Wentworth' Watch highlights of stunning Dubois victory against Joshua. Video Watch highlights of stunning Dubois victory against Joshua © 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.