RANGERS rode their luck at times against Red Star Belgrade – but they didn’t care as they booked their Europa League quarter-final spot.
After just missing out in each of the last few seasons, the Ibrox side have finally made it into the last eight of the competition.
And they have claimed another big scalp in the tournament in order to do so.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men had the luxury of a three-goal lead coming into this game against Red Star.
But they always knew the Serbian giants’ attacking threat, combined with the hostile atmosphere, could have a big role to play.
However, at full-time, it was Rangers who celebrated as Ryan Kent’s goal ensured they finally overcame the hurdle they’ve fallen at for the last two years.
Rangers put pressure on the hosts straight away as they won an early corner following a defensive mistake by Milan Rodic.
The danger was ultimately cleared but the visitors used that as inspiration to control much of the possession in the opening stages.
Alfredo Morelos was then able to fire a shot off at goal after winning the ball outside the box.
Milan Borjan was able to make the save though and keep the score on level terms.
However, Red Star finally found their footing in the game after this and began to turn the screw.
Ohi Omoijuanfo harried Connor Goldson and Leon Balogun in the centre of the Light Blues defence.
While the home side were beginning to find more joy getting the ball down either wing.
And in the tenth minute, Red Star made their efforts count as they opened the scoring.
Rangers didn’t deal with a corner kick well enough and Mirko Ivanic was able to fire the ball past Allan McGregor after it dropped at his feet.
It was a blow that was almost made worse for the Light Blues just minutes later when the 28-year-old was played through on goal.
McGregor was able to make the save this time though and luckily for Rangers, Omoijuanfo wasn’t able to get to the rebound in time.
Up the other end, Morelos was able to get a promising counter attack going.
But the Colombian gave possession straight back to Red Star with a terrible pass that had been intended for Kent.
Midway through the half, Red star played another long ball forward to Omoijuanfo that Goldson and Balogun couldn’t deal with.
The Norwegian was able to head it into the path of Milan Pavkov who was able to send a shot towards goal.
Fortunately for the Light Blues though, McGregor was able to watch the ball roll past the post for a goal kick.
Rangers began to regain the composure as the half wore on though, with the game increasingly being halted by silly fouls on both sides.
Van Bronckhorst wouldn’t have minded that so much though as it ate up more time and prevented Red Star’s play from being able to flow.
Rangers were able to create a rare opportunity just minutes before the break when Calvin Bassey was able to break into the box.
The Nigerian international was able to dance his way past one defender but the ball ultimately went out for a free kick.
Red Star then immediately went up the other end, resulting in Cristiano Piccini forcing McGregor into a fantastic diving save to keep the score at 1-0 at half-time.
Rangers were put straight under pressure after the break though as a corner kick resulted in the ball going across the face of goal.
Luckily for the Light Blues, no Red Star player was there to get on the end of it.
But it was another reason for the home fans to increase the already deafening volumes in the stadium.
Minutes later, Omoijuanfo was played through on goal with Bassey struggling to get him off the ball.
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The Norwegian then appeared to beat McGregor as he passed over to Pavkov, who had the goal waiting for him.
However, he couldn’t reach the ball in time and it proved to be yet another moment where the visitors could thank their luck.
But just when Rangers needed some inspiration as their backs were to the wall, up stepped Kent with a huge goal.
The winger won the ball in the middle of the pitch and then drove forward, taking advantage of the chasing Piccini pulling up with a hamstring injury.
Aleksandar Dragovic was forced to come across as cover and tried to block Kent’s shot at goal with a sliding challenge.
However, the ball ultimately deflected off the defender’s leg and arced over Borjan into the back of the net to restore Rangers’ three-goal lead on aggregate.
It was just the inspiration Van Bronckhorst’s men needed as they appeared to move to having five at the back.
It forced Red Star to really chase the game as they desperately searched for a goal.
Midway through the half, Ivanic narrowly fired past the post after winning the ball in the box.
While McGregor was then forced into a double save after initially palming Guelor Kanga’s shot into the path of Ben Nabouhane.
Aleksandar Katai then ruined a brilliant opportunity for Red Star as he took one too many touches after running into the box.
He did eventually manage to play a cross into the head of Milan Gajic, but once again, McGregor made the stop.
There was further concern for Rangers as Morelos was forced off with injury 10 minutes before the end.
The Colombian had gone down earlier in the half but rejected the use of a stretcher at that time as he tried to play on.
But he was eventually forced to sit down on the pitch as Van Bronckhorst sent on Kemar Roofe as his replacement.
The Jamaican international nearly made an instant impact as he forced Borjan into a save, winning a corner in the process.
There was late drama though as the referee awarded a penalty to Red Star in stoppage time.
The official pointed to the spot after Glen Kamara brought down Filippo Falco in the box.
Ben comfortably put the ball past McGregor from the resulting kick but it was no more than a consolation as Rangers claimed victory on aggregate.
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