Rangers will play Champions League football this season after showing nerves of steel to see off PSV Eindhoven 1-0 at the Philips Stadium. Rangers go into the group stage for the first time since 2010/11. It will also be their first taste of the Champions League proper since having to climb up from the Third Division of Scottish Football. A huge moment for the 55-time Scottish champions.
All eyes were on Cody Gakpo, who has been linked with a move to Manchester United. The 23-year-old winger was certainly involved but there were perhaps some moments to temper the Twitter hype. A tame early shot was gobbled up by John McLaughlin while another nearly hit the corner flag. Another opportunity arose on the edge of the box and Gakpo set himself well but lifted his finish over the bar. The energy and timing of his performance was impressive though, putting himself in positions to influence the game even if his end product was lacking. A work in progress.
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The best chance of the half fell to Rangers. Ryan Kent found James Sands. The USA international dragged back to John Lundstram, who powered his shot wide. But PSV had the bulk of the chances. Ibrahima Sangare headed over and Ismael Saibari had a shot deflected wide.
PSV made a switch at half time, with captain Luuk de Jong picking up a knock. His replacement was another former Barcelona man, Xavi Simons. But it was Tom Lawrence who made the biggest splash at the start of the half. The midfielder displayed brilliant close control to fashion a shooting opportunity before striking the crossbar from the edge of the box. A superb solo play that deserved the goal it so nearly got.
PSV Eindhoven were the architects of their own downfall. Armando Obispo sent a loose backpass to Walter Daniel Benitez. His attempt to play out was unsure and Rangers seized upon it. Malik Tillman dispossessed Andre Ramalho and squared for Antonio Colak to stroke into an empty net. A gift-wrapped opener on the night for the away side.
Malik Tillman steals the ball on Ramalho's blindside and squares it for Antonio Čolak who slots home ⚽️
The Gers go up 3-2 on aggregate 💪
#UCL
Tillman was terrorising the Eindhoven back line again soon after. Benitez pulled off a fine close-range stop to deny the Rangers man from doubling his side’s lead. Colak sent a snap-shot over the bar soon after as the Scottish side gained confidence.
Simons’ energy was making a difference for PSV though. The former Paris Saint-Germain player got down the right well and looped a clever cross for Philipp Max. The full back sent his thumped finish wide, but it was the best chance the Eredivisie side had mustered in a while.
They would muster no more. Rangers and their manager, Giovanni van Bronckhorst are in dreamland. Even beyond the cathartic title win under Steven Gerrard, this feels like the true apex after the troubled decade the club have endured. Whatever happens from here, Rangers are back to where they once were.
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