Rangers needed a response to the weekend’s crushing setback against Celtic, which effectively ended their title hopes, and did enough here to ensure their Europa League quarter-final remains finely poised. The regret will be that they conceded to Braga’s Abel Ruiz in the 40th minute during the only spell when they were truly under the cosh. Otherwise they showed up well in a largely uneventful affair and will consider the Portuguese side vulnerable at Ibrox.
The big encouragement Rangers can hold is that they have passed this very test before, albeit with wins in both legs. In February 2020 they beat Braga twice in the round of 32, winning the away fixture with a goal from Ryan Kent. Within five minutes of kick-off he had come close to repeating the trick: a beautiful ball from Scott Arfield created the chance, sending Kent free, but a heavy touch allowed the goalkeeper Matheus to shovel away. Fashion Sakala’s follow-up was blocked but the episode characterised Rangers’ lively start.
