Rangers 3-0 Union Saint-Gilloise (3-2 ag): Scots stun Belgian visitors to book play-offs

James Tavernier celebrates his 16th European goal for Rangers

Rangers roared into the Champions League play-offs after overcoming Union Saint-Gilloise and a two-goal first-leg defeat in a rousing display.

The hosts had it all to do after losing in Belgium, but goals from James Tavernier, Antonio Colak and Malik Tillman gave Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side a spirited victory at Ibrox.

Despite being forceful in the first leg, Rangers were by far the better team in Glasgow against a Union side who had Lazare Amani sent off late on.

Tavernier’s penalty and Colak’s close range header set up a tense finish, before Tillman’s superb header in the 79th minute put Rangers ahead in the tie for the first time during a strong second half.

They will now face PSV Eindhoven in the play-offs as they look to return to the group stage for the first time since 2010.

It is the first time Rangers have overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit to progress in Europe.

The hosts started well, as they did seven days in Belgium. The atmosphere at Ibrox, which Rangers have come to rely on on these nights, seemed to have rattled the opposition. This is no disrespect to the Union – many bigger European teams have also wilted under this pressure.

Colak headed home just before another Anthony Moris effort went over the crossbar. Set-pieces were Rangers’ strength in the first half, but they couldn’t unlock a stubborn Union defense in open play.

That was until Siebe van der Heyden stuck out an arm to block a cross in the box, and Tavernier did what Tavernier does: score from the spot on the stroke of half-time. His 16th goal in European competition for Rangers, and one that was perfectly timed.

The second just before the hour brought Ibrox to its feet in a scene of hysteria. Coming off the end of a Tillman film, Tavernier stopped behind to square up. The ball fell to Scott Arfield who forced a fantastic save from Moris, but Colak showed predatory instincts to nod home from a yard out to equalise.

From there, it seemed inevitable that the Rangers would find a third. John Lundstram went close when he was teed up by Tom Lawrence, but Moris made a flying save to deny the midfielder.

There was a moment of doubt when James Sands looked to be heading down the tunnel early after clearing a poor pass from John McLaughlin, but referee Tasos Sidiropoulos changed his mind after consulting the wing assistant.

This was the kick Rangers needed and they would soon go ahead. Borna Barisic’s hanging cross looked destined for the arms of Moris, but Tillman made an acrobatic leap to steal in front of the keeper and nod into an empty net.

Union midfielder Amani was then sent off in the dying seconds as the game spiraled into frenzy, with Rangers advancing after an impressive two legs.

Man of the Match – Malik Tillman

Magnificent throughout the night, the American looks to be the jewel of Van Bronckhorst’s summer signings.

Rangers are relying on the atmosphere at Ibrox to reduce Union’s will

Even two goals down, many Rangers fans headed to Ibrox confident of a result. They had witnessed enough evidence of the European evening over the past year to calm their nerves.

He proved right, there were still moments throughout the night that would have tested his resolve. The Union, as they did in the first leg, waited to pounce but their attacking power had all but evaporated.

So instead of a disaster, this will be remembered as a scare. But their next opponents in PSV will not be so forgiving. However, with Ibrox able to spark such spirited performances from this Rangers side, the club’s supporters will be dreaming of another memorable season in Europe.

What’s next?

Rangers host St Johnstone on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they look to maintain their 100% record in the league so far.

Player of the match

Lawrence Tom Lawrence

rangers

1. Squad Number 11 Player Name Lawrence

2. Team Number 71 Player NameTillman

3. Team Number 2Player NameTavernier

4. Team Number 9 Player NameColak

5. Team Number 4Player Name Lundstram

6. Team Number 14 Player NameKent

7. Team number 31 Player name Barisic

8. Team Number 33Player NameMcLaughlin

9. Team Number 37Player NameArfield

10. Team Number 6 Player NameGoldson

11. Team number 20 Player name Morelos

12. Template number 17 Player name Matondo

13. Team Number19Player NameSands

14. Team Number 26 Player NameDavies

15. Team number 18 Player name Kamara

Union Saint-Gilloise

1. Team Number 49 Player Name Moris

2. Team Number 26Player Name Sykes

3. Team number 16 Player name Burgess

4. Team number 11 Player name Adingra

5. Template number 19 Player name François

6. Team Number 13 Player Name Vanzeir

7. Team Number 2 Player Name Nieuwkoop

8. Template number 23 Player name Puertas

9. Team Number 94 Player Name Lapoussin

10. Team Number 9 Player Name Eckert

11. Team Number 44Player NameVan der Heyden

12. Team Number 20 Player Name Lynen

13. Template number 17 Player name Teuma

14. Team Number 8 Player Name Amani

alignments

rangers

Formation 4-3-3

33 McLaughlin

2Tavernier6Goldson19Sands31Barisic

11Lawrence4Lundstram37Arfield

71Tillman9Colak14Kent

• 33 McLaughlin
• 2 Taverns
• 6 Goldson
• 19 SandsBooked at 38 minutesReplaced by Davies in the 79th minute
• 31 BarisicBooked 90 minutes
• 11 LawrenceBooked 75 minutes awayReplaced by Kamaraat in the 87th minute
• 4 Lundstram
• 37Arfield Substituted for Matondo in the 64th minute
• 71 TillmanBooked at 41 minutes
• 9 ColacBooked 45 minutes awayReplaced by Morelosat in the 79th minute
• 14 Kent

Substitutes

• 1McGregor
• 3Yilmaz
• 8 Jack
• 10 Davis
• 17 Thug
• 18 Kamara
• 20 morels
• 23 Wright
• 26 Davies
• 28 McCrorie
• 30 Sakala
• 38 King

Union Saint-Gilloise

Formation 3-5-2

49 Death

26Sykes16Burgess44Van der Heyden

2Nieuwkoop17Teuma8Amani20Lynen94Lapoussin

11Adingra13Vanzeir

• 49 DeathBooked 45 minutes away
• 26 SykesBooked 40 minutes awayReplaced by Eckertat in the 83rd minute
• 16 Burgess
• 44 Van der Heyden
• 2Nieuwkoop Replaced by Françoisat in the 77th minute
• 17 Teuma
• 8 AmaniBooked 90 minutes
• 20Lynen Substituted for Puertasat in the 87th minute
• 94 LapoussinBooked 90 minutes
• 11 AdingraBooked 55 minutes away
• 13 Vanzeir

Substitutes

• 3Boone
• 6 The Azzouzi
• 9 Eckert
• 14 Imbrechts
• 19 Francis
• 21 Pirard
• 23 doors
• 24 Ziani
• 35 Huygevelde
• 59 Kandouss
• 85 Give

Referee: Anastasios Sidiropoulos

Live text

1. End of game, Rangers 3, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.

2. End of second half, Rangers 3, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.

3. Loïc Lapoussin (Union Saint-Gilloise) has been cautioned with a yellow card.

4. Second yellow card to Lazare Amani (Union Saint-Gilloise).

5. Borna Barisic (Rangers) has been shown a yellow card.

6. Change, Rangers. Glen Kamara replaces Tom Lawrence.

7. Change to Union Saint-Gilloise. Cameron Puertas replaces Senne Lynen.

8. Change to Union Saint-Gilloise. Dennis Eckert replaces Ross Sykes.

9. Substitution, Rangers. Alfredo Morelos replaces Antonio-Mirko Colak.

10. Change, Rangers. Ben Davies replaces James Sands.

11. Goal! Rangers 3, Union Saint-Gilloise 0. Malik Tillman (Rangers) header from the center of the box to the center of the goal. Assistance from Borna Barisic.

12. Change to Union Saint-Gilloise. Guillaume François replaces Bart Nieuwkoop

13. Tom Lawrence (Rangers) has been shown the yellow card.

14. Lazare Amani (Union Saint-Gilloise) has been shown the yellow card.

15. Change, Rangers. Rabbi Matondo replaces Scott Arfield.

16. Goal! Rangers 2, Union Saint-Gilloise 0. Antonio-Mirko Colak (Rangers) header from the center of the box to the center of the goal.

17. Simon Adingra (Union Saint-Gilloise) has been shown a yellow card.

18. Second half starts Rangers 1, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.

19. End of first half, Rangers 1, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.

20. Antonio-Mirko Colak (Rangers) has been shown a yellow card.