The Light Blues found themselves behind early in the contest to a deflected strike, before goals either side of the interval left Rangers with an uphill climb in the second period.
Kristian Webster later pulled a goal back for the Gers from a Zander Hutton free-kick delivery, but it was to prove the only act of resistance from the side.
It was a nightmare start for the Light Blues when the Dutch side edged in front just two minutes into the contest when Massien Ghaddari’s effort deflected off Calum Adamson and looped over a helpless Mason Munn.
The young Gers slowly began to work their way into the contest, going close in the 4th minute when the ball was worked wide to Zander Hutton and the full-back’s driven cross was snatched at the front post by the goalkeeper.
Aurelio Oehlers, positioned wide on the left, was proving Utrecht’s brightest spark in the opening exchanges and he stung the palms of Munn in the Rangers goal with an effort from 20 yards.
Minutes later, he could have doubled his side’s advantage when he was sent through one-on-one, but Munn stood tall and watched the winger drag his finish wide of the far post.
Rangers had the ball in the net with four minutes remaining of the first half. An outswinging corner from the right was met by the head of Greig Allen and, when his initial effort was saved, Chris Eadie was perfectly placed to knock the ball home from close range. However, the linesman raised his flag to curb the Gers celebrations.
That proved the cue for Utrecht to launch the ball forward on the counter-attack. Oehlers held his marker up before releasing Nissi Lobaye inside the penalty area who composed himself and slammed a finish beyond Munn.
The Dutch side added their third goal of the contest only seconds after the interval as Ghaddari grabbed his second of the game with a left-footed strike.
That could have knocked the stuffing out of the Light Blues, but they responded with a sweeping move of their own creation. Hutton showed presence of mind to outplay two players from a dribble-in situation, knocking the ball inside to James Graham who quickly moved possession onto Paul Nsio. The Englishman found Hutton back inside the pitch, who quickly took aim at goal and had his effort blocked out for a corner.
A goalline clearance from Kristian Webster denied Utrecht from adding their fourth of the morning, before the defender reduced the arrears down the opposite end for the Gers. Hutton’s free-kick from the left was pinpoint, allowing the 18-year-old to arrow a header into the top corner to restore optimism.
The Light Blues nearly pulled a second goal back when Kieron Willox’s cross from the right almost crept in at the near post, requiring the Utrecht goalkeeper to scramble the ball out for a corner.
Archie Stevens was next to go close for the Gers, showing tremendous agility to wriggle free at the byline and create space for a shot, but his effort from a narrow angle was straight at the goalkeeper.
The referee then drew the game to a close moments later, with Rangers now shifting their attention to the final Group A outing against Brazilian side Red Bull Bragantino, kick-off 1.00pm UK time, later today.
RANGERS: Munn, Hutton, Allen (Webster, 21), Allan (Wyllie, 31), Scott (Wark, 25), Strachan, Nsio, Adamson (Young, 31), Curtis (Willox, 31), Graham, Eadie (Stevens, 25)
Subs not used: Thackray, Robertson, Stewart
FC UTRECHT: van Gonter, Rawlins, Oehlers, Bukala, Den Boggende, Misumi, Sundqvist, Ghaddari, Idegwu, Kloosterboer, Samson
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