The young Gers enjoyed the better of the opportunities in the first half – played across two 25-minute periods – but they were undone inside seven second half minutes when the Belgian side scored three times in quick succession before adding a fourth goal in the dying embers of the contest.
It was a frantic opening in the baking heat in Eindhoven, with Anderlecht applying early pressure when Mohamed Waki centred for Nassim Azaouzi to head over Mason Munn’s crossbar.
The Light Blues slowly began to creep their way into the game and looked particularly threatening on quick attacks with the pace of Archie Stevens and James Graham down the sides.
Eight minutes had elapsed when Rangers cut through Anderlecht on the counter-attack as Stevens carried the ball menacingly into the final third. Lifting his head, he spotted the overlapping run of Connor Allan who was unfortunately thwarted when he looked to square the ball across the face of the penalty area.
The young Gers stung the palms of the Anderlecht goalkeeper from the resulting goalkeeper when the ball was worked to Zander Hutton from 25 yards out, with the full-back’s driven effort requiring Michiel Haentjens to be at full stretch.
Action was end-to-end as the Belgian side responded with their best chance of the half, forcing Munn into a terrific save with his legs as they looked primed to break the deadlock from close range.
Graham was next to manufacture danger in front of the Anderlecht goal, arrowing a dangerous half-volley from the edge of the penalty area which nestled into the grateful arms of the goalkeeper.
The most inviting opportunity of the opening period arrived on 14 minutes when a lofted pass out of defence by Cameron Scott released Connor Young beyond the aggressive Anderlecht defensive line. The forward advanced into the danger area with only the goalkeeper to beat, but he could only drag his finish inches off target.
An expertly timed recovery challenge from Greig Allen denied Azaouzi an opportunity to fire at Munn’s goal, before the Light Blues produced a sweeping move which almost opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time.
Hutton raced to the byline before picking out Young on the penalty spot, with the forward’s lay-off for Graham calling Haentjens into a terrific stop to prevent the ball from sailing into the top corner.
The second half started with the young Gers carving their way down the left of their opponents. Indeed, Paul Nsio did excellently to spin through pressure to initiate the move, releasing Graham down the right-hand side. The winger moved the ball onto Hutton who sped past on the underlap, although the full-back’s final effort flashed past the far post.
Minutes later, Rangers were punished for their profligacy when a corner from the right was headed home by Steve Emmanuel Likebeli Nguikinde.
Anderlecht quickly doubled their advantage to leave the Light Blues with an uphill struggle as Adrien Tilano Herron poked home from close range.
Rangers set about offering an immediate riposte when substitute Calum Adamson collected the ball under pressure on the edge of the 18-yard box, but he could only fire wide with his left-foot.
However, Rangers suffered a further setback on 34 minutes when Luka Vereecken converted a cross from the right.
The young Gers could have reduced the arrears two minutes later when Young let fly with a powerful effort which looked destined to sail into the top corner but for an acrobatic intervention from the Anderlecht goalkeeper.
A fourth of the afternoon arrived for the Belgian side with three minutes remaining as Azaouzi netted with the final chance of the contest.
RANGERS: Munn, Hutton (Wyllie, 29), Webster, Allen, Scott (Willox, 15; Wark, 42), Strachan (Curtis, 23; Adamson, 29), Allan (Strachan, 25), Nsio (Allan, 29), Graham (Robertson, 36), Stevens (Eadie, 25), Young (Stevens, 36; Stewart, 46)
Subs not used: Thackray
ANDERLECHT: Haentjens, Mamaar, Nguikinde, Wola-Wetshay, Nicaise, Decorte, Waki, Kana, Gassimou, Azaouzi, Vereecken
*; denotes rolling substitute
FIXTURES: Add both men's and women's season 2023/24 fixtures to your calendar HERE
SHOP: Shop the latest arrivals instore at the Rangers Store and online HERE
RANGERSTV: Get closer to your club with RangersTV subscription HERE
MYGERS: Enjoy exclusive experiences, discounts and events with a MyGers membership HERE