Rangers showed their Euro mettle once again as they fought back from the brink of elimination to see off Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox.
They had it all to do after a dreary first leg in Belgium and while Union boss Karel Geraerts insisted his side were not just coming to defend, they certainly made it tricky for Gio van Bronckhorst 's team in the early stages. After 45 minutes of huffing and puffing, though, the first signs of the house being blown down came when Siebe van der Heyden handled a Borna Barisic cross, and James Tavernier converted from the spot.
That sent Rangers into half time with the wind beneath their sails and it took just 13 minutes of the second half for them to find an equaliser, with Antonio Colak bundling over the line after Scott Arfield's strike. And a baying Ibrox atmosphere turned euphoric 12 minutes from time when Malik Tillman rose to meet another Barisic delivery and head his side in front for the first time in the tie. Here is how Record Sport rated the players.
Rangers player ratings
JON McLAUGHLIN: Blunder last week put Rangers in trouble but made amends with a big block as Adingra threatened to hush Ibrox. Relieved his pass to Sands didn’t cost defender a red. 6
JAMES TAVERNIER: Tucked home spot-kick for his 16th European goal for the club to kick-start the Light Blues’ salvage mission. 7
CONNOR GOLDSON: Didn’t have too much to worry about but another steady display from Rangers’ rock at the back. 7
JAMES SANDS: Looked worried for a moment he was about to get second yellow after McLaughlin’s hospital pass forced him into a sliding tackle. Relieved to see ref change his mind. 6
BORNA BARISIC: Preferred to new boy Ridvan Yilmaz. Tentative at times but two big moments helped Gers turn tie around as his deliveries led to first and third goals. 7
JOHN LUNDSTRAM: Back into midfield after last week’s misadventure in a back three. Energy and tenacity helped his side regain command of the midfield. 7
SCOTT ARFIELD: Busy with his usual array of forward runs off the ball but found space difficult to find. Crucial role in the equaliser as he forced Moris into a save. 6
TOM LAWRENCE: Another who has faced some scrutiny after in his low-key start at Ibrox player but really announced himself as he dominated the midfield. 8
MALIK TILLMAN: Towering header clinched the victory to keep Gers on path for the group stages. Looked lost out right but far more influential when switched through middle. 7
RYAN KENT: Gers were pinning their hopes on the returning wideman contouring some magic. Faded before halftime but back at it as second-half surge took GVB’s team through. 7
ANTONIO COLAK: Big responsibility leading the line with Morelos not fit to start but stood up to the task with the crucial equaliser. 7
Substitutes
RABBI MATONDO (for Arfield, 64): Injected pace as Union tired. 4
BEN DAVIES (for Sands, 80): On before Sands was sent-off. 3
ALFREDO MORELOS (for Colak, 80): Almost caught keeper of his line. 3
GLEN KAMARA: (for Lawrence, 87): Helped Gers see out the win. 2
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