Rangers stormed into the Europa League last 16 by seeing off Union St-Gilloise at Ibrox.
Philippe Clement’s side defied the odds to finish in the top eight thanks to goals from Nico Raskin and Vaclav Cerny – and FIVE other results elsewhere going in their favour. Gers had already booked their place in the knock-out play-offs next month before kicking a ball against the Belgians. But after picking up another three points, they’ll now avoid that scenario and go straight through to a last-16 tie in March.
It was a tense night for supporters who were desperately trying to keep track of what was happening all over Europe. But Rangers did their job with Raskin breaking the deadlock in the first half and Cerny doubling their lead after the break. USG pulled a goal back through Kevin MacAllister which meant a nervy last 20 minutes for the fans and Rangers bench. But Clement’s men held on and with scores going their way, they secured an unlikely progression to the lucrative round of 16. Here are 5 talking points from Ibrox.
Find a way on European stage
Say what you like about Rangers in the Scottish Premiership but on a Thursday night in the Europa League, they find a way to get results. It’s been that way for a few years now at Ibrox and Clement has just carried on the tradition – irrespective of how they might be performing domestically. They were missing several key men through injury and ineligibility. So much so that Tavernier had to fill in at centre-half and winger Ross McCausland was at right-back. The Belgians came to Glasgow in decent form having beat Braga last time out and DID pose a threat here. In fact, how they hadn’t scored after an hour was a mystery after poor finishing, a disallowed goal and Tavernier’s goal-line clearance. But even when they’re not at their best in Europe, Rangers invariably come up with the goods and here they scored two brilliant goals through Raskin – who was outstanding on the night – and Cerny. Given all the problems they’ve had this season, their displays in this competition have been terrific and to reach the knock-outs – and last 16 – in the manner they have is a credit to Clement and his players.
A real shame for young King
You have to feel for Leon King. He’s been the forgotten man of Ibrox and has had to wait patiently for an opportunity under Philippe Clement. With Rangers decimated by injuries at the back, he finally got a chance to impress. His name on the team-sheet was a surprise in itself given his lack of game time recently. But the fact he was lining up at right-back and not in the middle of Gers’ defence was a bigger shock.
Most punters would have expected him and James Tavernier to be in opposite positions but King started well at full-back. Unfortunately, after a clash of heads early on he was dazed and by the 13th minute his cruel luck struck again as he was forced off and replaced by Ross McCausland. King’s future probably lies away from Ibrox but it was a shame that a rare outing was cut short.
Souttar return a big plus point
Apart from the result and performance against USG, the biggest plus point for Rangers and Clement was the return of John Souttar. The Scotland centre-back made his comeback from injury in the second half against the Belgians and looked like he’d never been away. There’s no doubt Clement has missed Souttar’s presence at the back since he got injured. Robin Propper has performed well, as have his stand-in partners which have included Leon Balogun, Clinton Nsiala and Tavernier. But when Souttar is at his best, he starts for Clement’s team and that’s why he’ll have been so pleased to get him back on the pitch. With Rafael Fernandes arriving on loan from Lille in this window, it now gives Gers a bit of competition again in the centre-back area and you’d think Souttar will get more minutes against Ross County on Sunday. Beside Propper he gives the defence balance, he’s quick and he’s one of the leaders at Ibrox. If Rangers have hopes of progressing further in Europe, winning the Scottish Cup and closing the gap on Celtic in the league, they need Souttar at 100 percent. And Steve Clarke will be delighted to see him back as well, with Scotland’s Nations League play-off ties against Greece coming up next month.
Igamane shows real genuine moment of class
You’d pay to watch Rangers’ talent Hamza Igamane at his best. And – despite playing out of position – he produced a moment of genuine class after eight minutes that was worth the admission money alone. When a ball dropped out of the sky with snow on it you were unsure what the Moroccan would be able to do with it on the left flank and with a USG defender touch-tight to him. But as it came down, Igamane somehow controlled it with the outside of his right foot – and at the same time knocked it past his marker and towards goal. He drove into the box and was unfortunate not to pick out Vaclav Cerny with a cut-back. But it was a moment of genius from a boy who looks the real deal in a blue shirt. Even playing from the left, he was still able to show his raw ability which is already attracting interest from clubs in England and abroad. The question is, how long can Rangers hold on to him?
Bajrami needs to show more
Clement is so short on numbers right now, he’s having to ask a core group of players to produce the goods almost every three days domestically and in Europe. And to be fair, in the Europa League at least, they haven’t let him down. But while he’s getting the absolute max out of the likes of Raskin, Cerny, Igamane and others – he needs more from his big summer signing, Nedim Bajrami. The Albanian international arrived with a big reputation from Serie A for a fee of more than £3 million. For that type of cash, he has to deliver at Ibrox and – as much as Bajrami is putting a shift in for the team – he’s yet to find his very best form. Initially, you felt for him being shifted out to the left wing which isn’t his natural position. But at Old Trafford against Manchester United last week and here, he was deployed in his favoured number 10 role. Bajrami was renowned for his creativity, killer passes and goal threat before he arrived. But he isn’t showing that for Clement’s side at the moment and with a threadbare squad, his manager will be asking for more in the coming weeks.