Rangers slipped in their bid to reach the Champions League group stage as Union Saint Gilloise secured a historic and deserved win in the first leg of the third round qualifier.
Gio Van Bronckhorst is aiming to lead the Ibrox side into the group stage of UEFA's premier tournament for the first time in 12 years but faces an uphill battle in the return leg. The Europa League finalists came into the clash at the Den Dreef Stadium as heavy favourites but Teddy Teuma netted the Belgian's first goal in European competition in 58 years before Dante Vanzeir's contentious penalty gave USG a comfortable lead.
Rangers got off to a bright against the resolute home defence with Borna Barisic's curled free-kick from the edge of the box forcing USG goalkeeper Anthony Moris to stick out a strong hand to deny him. James Sands was next to try his luck with a powerful long-range effort, but the well-struck drive was smothered by Moris to deny the American his first goal for the club.
These would prove to be Rangers only efforts on target throughout the 90 during a toothless display, as the hosts went through the gears. And they could have had the advantage in the tie as John Lundstram was caught in possession by Loic Lapoussin.
He raced down the left flank to whip a dangerous ball to the feet of Vanzeir. Sands sensed the danger and stuck out a toe in the six-yard box to deny the frontman a clear contact, and he fired wide.
That should have acted as a warning call but moments later the Belgians took the lead. Passive defending from Borna Barisic allowed Amani to play a neat pass to Teuma. The skipper made no mistake as he lashed the ball into the net and through Jon McLaughlin.
Into the second half, Rangers struggled to dictate the pace of the game and USG came close to nicking a second. They exploited the gaps down the left side of defence again as Simon Adingra claimed a long ball forward ahead of Sands. Nieuwkoop whipped a dangerous ball in, and Amani somehow headed over inside the six-yard box.
Antonio Colak was finally unleashed after Glen Kamara slipped a pass to the attacker down the right flank of the box after neat interplay. A quick cut-back across the box left the Rangers' attackers just needing to tap the ball in, but no forward was fast enough to the ball.
Just as Rangers appeared to be getting a foothold on the game, the ball cannoned off of Connor Goldson's hand at point blank range. After consulting with VAR referee Irfan Peljto pointed to the spot, and Vanzeir calmly converted the spot kick. It appeared hard for Goldson to do much about it and he made his case.
More huffing and puffing worse could have followed as James Tavernier cleared off the line to keep the tie at 2-0.
McLaughlin is number one
But for how long? When Allan McGregor penned a new deal at Ibrox, the majority of fans expected the veteran stopper to continue as van Bronckhorst's first choice. However, the Dutchman has taken the summer to have a rethink and the club legend appears to be back up this term.
Jon McLaughlin has started the first league game of the season against Livingston before following it up with a start in Belgium. However, Teuma's strike appeared to almost go through the goalkeeper in what could prove to be a crucial goal in this tie. But he did improve after the break with two key saves.
McGregor will be frustrated watching from the sidelines. The action at the Den Dreef may spark a behind the scenes talks between the 40-year-old and his manager.
Defensive issues are clear
It's taken a while for James Sands to get a chance at Ibrox, but the waiting game has paid off for the US international as he started at the back in the absence of John Souttar.
The 22-year-old was given the chance to prove he could be the solution with Souttar staying at home. However, in a similar vein to the Scotland cap, Sands looked uncomfortable in the left-centre back void left by Calvin Bassey and his distribution was poor. He wanted everything on his right foot.
Gaps between the American and Borna Barisic were exploited regularly, and USG used that as the route to their goal in feeling of deja vu from Joel Nouble's goal for Livingston. Ben Davies and Ridvan Yilmaz stepped into the roles after 65 minutes but there shaky moments continued.
The VAR call
It could be the goal that puts the tie out of the reach of Rangers. Vanzeir slotted the penalty low to the right and sent Jon McLaughlin the wrong way.
But was it a penalty? The ball ricocheted off Ben Davies then just hits Goldson's hand at point blank range.
It looked harsh and there was little the centre-back could have done to move his hand out of the way. However, whistler Irfan Peljto made the big call with the help of VAR.
USG or PSG?
While Union Saint Gilloise can't boast any recent European pedigree, it's clear that the club are no slouches. Geraerts has his side well drilled and looked dangerous on the counter attack in Leuven.
While they are the underdogs against a club that reached a major European final just three months ago, they didn't look out of place on the big stage. They were defensively sound and frustrated Rangers throughout the 90 minutes.
It will be a tough task for Gio van Bronckhorst to mastermind a way to break down the defensive unit.
European hangover
Rangers couldn't recapture any of the magic from their Europa League run last term having saved some of their best performances of the campaign for Europe. It doesn't feel that long ago that van Bronckhorst was masterminding the scalps of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
Energy and organisation became Rangers' calling card on route to Seville, but there was none of that in Leuven. It was a flat performance with the Light Blues struggling to carve out any clear cut chances.
The Ibrox atmosphere was crucial last season. The players and manager will need that lift to inspire a turnaround in their push for the Champions League group stage.
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