Gers were fabulous in Tilburg tonight in this Europa League, third qualifying round tie, where goals from James Tavernier, Ryan Kent, Fil Helander and Connor Goldson secured what became a very comfortable evening for Steven Gerrard’s men.
It sets up a mouthwatering final qualifying tie next Thursday, with Turkish giants Galatasaray standing between Gers and a place in the group stages.
From the side which faced Hibernian on Sunday, boss Gerrard made just the one change with Allan McGregor replacing Jon McLaughlin between the sticks.
The Light Blues began well with an opportunity inside two minutes as a Connor Goldson ball evaded the two home central defenders and dropped for Ryan Kent.
It seemed the floodlights were in the attackers’ line of sight, however, and Kent couldn’t sort his feet to get an effort away.
By and large, it was a cagey game early on, and Allan McGregor was forced into a save from Derrick Kohn’s long-range effort, while Vangelis Pavlidis hit the bar from the rebound from close range.
On 22 minutes, however, Rangers were awarded a penalty. Again, the long ball over the top for Kent from Goldson was on, and the winger ran onto it before being brought down as he entered the area by Miquel Nelom.
Up stepped James Tavernier to take, and the skipper blasted it down the middle for his 50th Rangers goal to hand Gers the lead they craved.
Indeed, they could have been forgiven for trying to hold onto that lead, but within three minutes of the restart, they had a 2-0 lead.
Alfredo Morelos was allowed space to take a shot on from 25-yards, and on the sodden turf in Tilburg, it made sense for Gers to take such opportunities.
The Colombian’s effort was powerful, and goalkeeper Jorn Brondeel fumbled it out into the path of the incoming Ryan Kent who managed to force it home for his fifth goal in only nine appearances so far this season.
It was stunning from Gerrard’s side once again in Europe, though they had McGregor to thank for keeping their cushion intact with a stunning save from Dries Saddiki after Pavlidis played him in.
Sublime footwork from Glen Kamara took him into the area soon after as Gers went looking for number three, and his ball into the six-yard box needed only a touch to take it into the back of the net.
Allan McGregor was forced into another stunning stop within two minutes of the restart, denying Gorkem Saglam from close-range as Saddiki turned provider this time.
On 55 minutes, however, Gers went three to the good with Fil Helander getting his first of the season – but he owed it to more wonderful play from Kent.
A Tavernier free-kick from deep was cleared wide for the winger, and once again, he showed super skill to beat his man and deliver a wonderful ball for Helander to nod into the back of the net.
A super block from Kohn denied Morelos getting his name on the scoresheet on 71 minutes, but from the resulting corner, Gers incredibly made it four.
Tavernier’s ball in from the right again was superb, and Goldson rose highest in the area to plant it beyond Ruiter and into the net.
Willem thought they had a consolation with 10 minutes left, but after another wonder save from McGregor, Pavlidis stuck the loose ball into the net with his arm.
Hagi could have made it five on 89 minutes – super work from Jordan Jones setting him up, but he fired over from 15-yards out.
This was a brilliant night in European competition again for the Light Blues, but they now need to focus their attentions on Motherwell on Sunday before hosting Galatasaray next Thursday.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Goldson, Helander, Barisic (Bassey, 74), Arfield, Davis, Kamara, Hagi, Kent (Jones, 72), Morelos (Itten, 79).
SUBS NOT USED: McLaughlin, Defoe, Patterson, Balogun.
WILLEM II: Ruiter, Nelom, Holmen, Peters, Kohn, Saddiki, Saglam, Llonch, Nunnely, Pavlidis, Ndayishimiye.
SUBS: Brondeel, Galdon, Kohlert, Yeboah, Van Den Bogert, Spieringhs, Van Der Avert.
REFEREE: Maurizio Mariani.