RANGERS and PSV will go into next week’s Champions League play-off second leg in Eindhoven on level terms after tonight’s dramatic 90 minutes at Ibrox ended 2-2.
Goals from Ibrahim Sangare and Antonio Colak in an end-to-end first half meant it was all to play for after the break.
And after Tom Lawrence had edged Rangers in front with a free-kick PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez will never want to see again on 70 minutes, Armando Obispo headed in the final goal of a remarkable evening to complete the scoring.
The pre-match atmosphere tonight was, as expected, electric and the volume increased even more as the players lined up for the famous Champions League anthem prior to kick-off.
With the stadium again a cauldron of noise, Rangers started the match positively with several players getting early touches on the slick surface. It was, however, PSV that created the first clearcut chance.
An excellent cross from Ismael Saibari on the right wing was perfect for striker Luuk de Jong but he blazed a shot over the bar having got into a good position behind the Gers backline.
Ryan Kent certainly looked in the mood, but it was clear early on that the Light Blues would have to work hard to break down an organised PSV defence that was also being protected by the towering figure of Sangare in the holding midfield role.
The home side’s first opportunity to test visiting goalkeeper Benitez came on 21 minutes. Steven Davis, one of four players that returned to the starting eleven after Saturday’s 4-0 Scottish Premiership win over St Johnstone, found himself in an advanced position and he teed up Malik Tillman who shot straight at the PSV number one from 20 yards.
Before the half-hour mark the Ibrox faithful voiced their frustration when Italian referee Daniele Orsato decided against giving Rangers a free-kick for a clear foul on Lawrence that was within James Tavernier or Borna Barisic range.
Fans again looked at the ref moments later when a deep corner found Connor Goldson and his header in the 18-yard box appeared to hit a PSV defender’s arm. It went to VAR but play quickly resumed with no spot kick awarded.
The Dutch side were impressive and quick going forward and on 37 minutes they opened the scoring, with Sangare the player to break the deadlock.
A dangerous corner dropped in the box and Jordan Teze fed the ball back to his Ivorian teammate who drilled it past the helpless Jon McLaughlin with a left-foot strike.
Rangers now had to find a way back into the tie and they did just that three minutes after going behind.
Davis played a terrific, defence-splitting pass to Tavernier on the right flank. His cutback cross was perfect for Colak who curled an accurate low shot across Benitez and into the far bottom corner of his net.
It was a tremendous finish from the club’s summer signing and it was just what Rangers needed.
With the fans now back out of their seats, the players on the pitch went in search of a second before half-time, with the marauding Tavernier heading into the arms of the goalkeeper from a teasing Barisic delivery.
The positive end to the half meant Rangers came out for the restart with a spring in their step and on 52 minutes Benitez did well to make a fine stop to deny the lively Colak, who tried his luck from a tight angle after receiving an excellent through pass from Tavernier.
Rangers, however, had to stay focused and sharp at the back with Saibari providing a reminder of that when he skipped past Goldson into the box and toe-poked the ball inches wide of goal.
On 61 minutes the same player was able to waltz into a shooting position but his left-foot effort had power but, thankfully, was straight at McLaughlin.
At this point PSV were getting a grip of the game, with Rangers needing to show more composure on the ball and find a way to get up the park.
Tillman attempted to do this by himself on 67 minutes with a lung-bursting run but his tame shot at the end of it was again straight at Benitez.
Three minutes later and a foul by Saibari on the American gave Rangers a free-kick opportunity and Lawrence, from fully 30 yards, stepped up and tried his luck.
His effort went through a pack of players but appeared to be going safely through to PSV’s keeper. Remarkably, however, he fumbled the ball, allowing it to go a yard over the line in front of an ecstatic Broomloan Stand.
It was a huge error from the Argentinian shot-stopper but on 77 minutes of a fascinating game the Dutch outfit were back level.
It was all a bit too simple as Cody Gapko’s corner was met by Obispo, who powered a header under the crossbar to silence the four Ibrox stands.
RANGERS: McLaughlin (GK), Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic, Davis (Kamara 70), Lundstram, Tillman (Wright 70), Lawrence, Colak, Kent
SUBS NOT USED: McGregor (GK), McCrorie (GK), Ridvan, King, Devine, Jack, Arfield, Matondo, Morelos, Sakala
GOALS: Colak 40, Lawrence 70
BOOKINGS: Goldson
PSV: Benitez (GK), Teze, Ramalho, Obispo (Branthwaite 78), Max, Sangare, Veerman, Gutierrez, Gakpo, de Jong, Saibari
SUBS NOT USED: Drommel (GK), Waterman (GK), Simons, Van Ginkel, Til, Luckassen, Bakayoko, Mwene, Savio, Oppegard,
GOALS: Sangare 37 , Obispo
BOOKINGS: Obispo, de Jong, Saibari
REF: Daniele Orsato (ITA)
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