RANGERS will travel to Belgrade next week with a three-goal lead in place after tonight’s stunning UEFA Europa League, Round of 16 win over Red Star at Ibrox Stadium.
A brilliantly taken penalty from captain James Tavernier, a terrific finish from Alfredo Morelos and a stunning penalty save from Allan McGregor meant the Light Blues were in a strong position at the end of a pulsating first half that was action packed from start to finish.
The second half provided more of the same with a further goal from Leon Balogun on 51 minutes giving Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side a hugely memorable first-leg victory over Dejan Stankovic’s men.
As expected, the pre-match atmosphere was electric as the teams emerged from the tunnel, with Rangers wearing their all-blue kit and the Serbian visitors sporting their famous red and white striped jerseys.
The game started at a high tempo and with just two minutes on the clock Red Star had the ball in the net when playmaker Aleksander Katai curled a terrific shot beyond McGregor in front of the Copland Stand. Thankfully, there was a player in an offside position in the build-up, which was confirmed by VAR.
The video assistant referees were clearly keeping a close eye on proceedings and on 11 minutes they saw a foul on Ryan Kent in the box which few supporters, if any, in the stadium had spotted or shouted for.
The tension in the four stands was palpable as Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk jogged over to the Main Stand’s VAR screen and, after taking a good look at the incident, he pointed to the penalty spot and Ibrox erupted.
Tavernier stepped up and, as has become the norm in these situations, he sent his spot kick high into the top corner of Milan Borjan’s goal, giving the big keeper absolutely no chance.
It was proving to be an electric start to the match and, just seven minutes after the opener, Rangers doubled their advantage with a strike from the top drawer.
The scorer, not surprisingly on this European stage, was the impressive Morelos. Ryan Jack floated the ball into the packed box after receiving it from a corner and when the ball dropped to the Colombian he fired a shot into the opposite bottom corner with stunning confidence and accuracy.
With the stadium now bouncing, Red Star had to find a way back into the game and on 23 minutes this fascinating contest looked to be taking another twist when Jack fouled Mirko Ivanic in the box. The referee didn’t need VAR this time to help him make his decision.
With another penalty awarded, Serbia star Katai hit the target but his right-foot shot was brilliantly saved by McGregor, who dived low to his right at full stretch to palm the ball around the post.
It was a stunning stop from the Gers’ experienced number one, who was making his 70th UEFA Cup/Europa League appearance for the club.
The drama in a remarkable first half was not over yet though as both teams continued to push forward with intent. On 38 minutes, Glen Kamara found space 16 yards from goal but he was leaning back and his right-foot shot soared over the bar.
Despite being two goals down Red Star showed glimpses of their quality and with four minutes of the first period remaining McGregor again had to be sharp to get down to a shot from Ohi Omoijuanfo after he had got in behind the Rangers backline.
At the other end Morelos then tried his luck with a stunning low drive from distance which Canadian international Borjan did well to hold.
Half-time allowed both players and supporters to catch their breath after an incredible 45 minutes of football which had just about everything.
The second half saw the Light Blues fly out the traps and just six minutes in they made it 3-0, with Leon Balogun this time getting his name on the scoresheet.
A curling corner kick from Tavernier was perfect for the big Nigerian international who powered a wonderful, towering header into the net from roughly 12 yards out.
Red Star, understandably, looked deflated and stunned as Rangers kept the pressure on, and with 20 minutes left Goldson’s header from another Tavernier corner was cleared off the line by Aleksandar Dragovic.
The visitors, however, continued to battle and a stunning effort from midfielder Guelor Kanga swerved and dipped before clattering off the underside of McGregor’s crossbar.
This highlighted the need to stay switched on in the latter stages of the match and the introduction of James Sands and Fashion Sakala – who replaced Ryan Jack and Joe Aribo - added fresh legs as the clock ticked down towards full time.
Before that Red Star had a goal ruled out for offside which pretty much summed up the night for the visitors, who in spells looked dangerous but Rangers thoroughly deserved this win on what turned out to be another special European night under the Ibrox lights.
RANGERS: McGregor; Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Bassey; Jack (Sands 74), Lundstram; Kamara, Aribo (Sakala 74), Kent; Morelos
SUBS NOT USED: McLaughlin, McCrorie, Barisic, King, Ramsey, Lowry, Amad, Wright, Roofe
GOALS: Tavernier 11pen, Morelos 18, Balogun 51
BOOKINGS: Jack, Aribo
RED STAR: Borjan; Piccini (Gajic 71), Erakovic, Dragovic, Rodic; Srnic (Ben Nabouhane 60), Sanogo; Katai (Motika 84), Kanga, Ivanic; Omoijuanfo (Pavkov 60)
SUBS NOT USED: Popovic, Gordic, Krsticic, Pavkov, Falco, Zivkovic, Radulovic, Gobeljic
BOOKINGS: Sanogo, Rodic, Erakovic, Ben Nabouhane
REF: Serdar Gozubuyuk (NED)
ATT: 48,589
Rangers are delighted to unveil even more football stars who will come to Ibrox on March 26 to celebrate our 150th anniversary as part of the Weekend of Legends, presented by Unibet. World Legends team include names such as Luís Figo, Claude Makéléle, Iván Córdoba, Ricardo Carvalho, Predrag Mijatović, Gheorge Hagi and Roy Makaay. Alex McLeish will manage the Rangers Legends squad which features light blue heroes such as Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Paul Gascoigne, Sasa Papac, Michael Mols, Kris Boyd, Nikica Jelavić, Ronald De Boer, Alan Hutton, Carlos Cuellar, Pedro Mendez, Lee McCulloch and Jorg Albertz. Additionally, former treble winning Captain and Rangers Hall of Fame inductee Barry Ferguson will be the Rangers Legends Captain.
To mark this incredible occasion, the Rangers Legends squad will wear a specially designed Rangers Legends kit that carries the name of every Rangers captain to lead the club. In addition, the shirt features a traditional collar design reminiscent of some our most famous shirts and our commemorative 150th anniversary crest is proudly embroidered on the chest. This limited-edition shirt is available to pre-order now from The Rangers Store online.