Rangers 3-2 Standard Liege

3rd Dec 2020
Match Report

Rangers 3-2 Standard Liege

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Twice behind in the first half to goals from Maxime Lestienne and Duje Cop either side of a Connor Goldson leveller, a James Tavernier penalty on the stroke of half time had the home side level before Scott Arfield finished off a fine move to win the game just past the hour mark.

It was seven changes to the XI for Steven Gerrard from the side which defeated Falkirk in the League Cup on Sunday, albeit it was the same XI which performed so well here against Benfica a week ago.

Allan McGregor was back in goal for his 83rd European appearance – taking over the club record in that regard from Barry Ferguson.

After beginning the game with much of the ball, it was Liege who grabbed the lead after just six minutes with Maxime Lestienne tapping home at the front post from a Duje Cop cross from the left.

Gers tried to respond with Ryan Kent curling a 25-yard effort just wide while Alfredo Morelos tested goalkeeper Arnaud Bodart from similar distance on the turn.

Then, on 39 minutes, Gers drew themselves level.

Borna Barisic’s corner delivery to the back post was outstanding, and there to meet it at the back post with a bullet header back across the goalkeeper was Connor Goldson for his fifth of the season.

Liege were back in front inside a minute, however, Cop getting on the end of a deep cross into the area before he collided with the post and needed treatment before continuing.

Scott Arfield then could have levelled the scores, but he volleyed a loose clearance over the bar from just inside the area.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Rangers were awarded a penalty with Lestienne handling a Kemar Roofe strike in the area – referee Bojan Pandzic eventually awarding the kick after consultation it appeared with the assistant referee on the Main Stand side who would have had the best view from his position.

Up-stepped James Tavernier to take, and he blasted home his 15th goal of the season – just two off his own tally of 17 from 2018/19 which also happens to be the record total in a season from a Rangers defender.

Into the second half, and Allan McGregor did well to block an effort from Abdoul-Fessal Tapsoba at his front post before on 62 minutes, Gers hit the front for the first time in the match with yet another sublime goal.

Borna Barisic slipped it inside for Glen Kamara, who then, through the eye of a needle, slipped in Ryan Kent.

The obvious ball was into the feet of Alfredo Morelos, but Kent spotted the late run of Scott Arfield into the area, and he made no mistake with a lethal finish for his seventh of the season.

It was outstanding from Rangers, and it was nearly four soon after with Tavernier stinging the palms of Bodart with a free-kick, before Borna Barisic came even closer, crashing a 25-yard effort off the bar with Bodart claiming a touch on the way.

Bodart then denied Goldson a second with another fine stop, before Roofe missed a good opportunity, firing straight at the goalkeeper when sent clean through.

That wasn’t to matter, and Gers now head to Poznan next week knowing a win will see them top the group and take a seeding into the Last 32 draw on December 14.

RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Balogun, Barisic (Bassey, 88), Arfield (Zungu, 86), Kamara, Davis, Roofe (Itten, 89), Kent, Morelos (Aribo, 78)

SUBS NOT USED: McLaughlin, Hagi, Patterson, Barker, Stewart, Barjonas, Dickson, King.

R.STANDARD LIEGE: Bodart, Dussenne, Cop, Shamir (Avenatti, 71), Bokadi, Fai, Lestienne (Raskin, 71), Tapsoba, Jans (Gavory, 86), Bastien, Laifis.

SUBS NOT USED: Gillet, Heinkinet, Sissako, Sylvestre, Carcela, Balikwisha, Pavlovic, Landu, Siquet.

REFEREE: Bojan Pandzic (SWE)

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