Assessment of this Rangers team refuses to get any easier. Domestically in 2022 there have been dropped points against Dundee United, Ross County and Motherwell and a humbling at Celtic Park. Yet this success over Red Star Belgrade, ultimately a comfortable one despite Serbian opportunity – and opportunity, and opportunity – over two legs, takes Rangers to the quarter-finals of a European competition for the first time since 2008.
When the previous round’s victory over Borussia Dortmund is factored in, it is wholly legitimate that supporters of Rangers can dare to dream. At the same time, that is, pondering how last season’s Scottish Premiership dominance feels so far away.
Their 2008 Uefa Cup run, which ended with them as runners-up, was similar to this in that they played efficient rather than routinely dominant football. There should be no embarrassment attached to that. Rangers’ currency is results, not the painting of pretty patterns.
If Ryan Kent grabbed attention by scoring the goal that settled Rangers’ nerves in Belgrade, Allan McGregor is due most of the plaudits. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who saved a Red Star penalty in the first leg, again produced heroics just as it appeared his teammates may wilt. It is fitting he will make his 100th European appearance for Rangers in a high-profile domain.
“At moments where he needs to be there, he is there,” said the Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst of his veteran custodian. “Even at his age, he is important for us.”
Red Star’s opening to this game, in front of a raucous home support, looked ominous for Rangers. Mirko Ivanic capitalised on sloppy defending from the visitors to chest down and slam home a Guelor Kanga cross. Rangers had failed to apply any pressure at all on or from a short-corner.
McGregor’s first excellent intervention of the night came to deny Ivanic. His second arrived immediately before the interval, with Cristiano Piccini’s curling effort tipped wide. In between those Red Star chances, a mix-up in the Rangers defence afforded Milan Pavkov a clear shot which he completely miscued.
Red Star started the second period with renewed vigour. Strangely, their finest opportunity of the night actually had no McGregor involvement at all. Instead, having drawn the goalkeeper and outpaced Calvin Bassey, Ohi Omoijuanfo failed to find Pavkov. Had he done so, Pavkov was staring at an open goal. Rangers seized upon this profligacy. Ryan Kent, who has been criticised for his lack of scoring influence this season, marauded forward to collect a clever Glen Kamara flick. Rather than pass to Alfredo Morelos, the former Liverpool winger took on a shot at goal, which flicked off Aleksandar Dragovic and over Milan Borjan. With more than half an hour to play, the restoration of Rangers’ lead and Red Star’s frustrations in front of goal endorsed the theory this night belonged to the Scottish champions.
Ivanic prodded a shot wide. McGregor’s next act was an impressive double save. Red Star did receive the consolation of winning on the night, Kamara having stood on Filippo Falco’s foot inside the penalty area before El Fardou Ben Nabouhane stroked home.
That moment, in stoppage time, meant nothing in context of the tie’s outcome. “I’m very proud, it’s a great achievement,” added Van Bronckhorst. “The belief here is only getting stronger.” The Dutchman said attention will immediately turn towards Sunday’s league trip to Dundee. Therein lies the tale of Rangers’ curious year to date. This could yet be a season that delivers so much, or so little.
