When that Europa League music hits the tannoy it does something to this group of players. They light up, they arrive and they certainly deliver. Dortmund was an explosive night, a performance that had absolutely everything and even when it got a bit sticky, the team performed. They grabbed four goals in Germany but what was more impressive was after going 2-1 down at Ibrox, we managed to reverse that and were robbed of actually winning that game.
Red Star were next up and again this team delivered on the big stage once more. Almost a year to the hungover effort against Prague, Rangers would go one better with a magnificent result and performance.
If Europe weren’t paying attention before, they certainly are now.
It was a performance which isn’t unexpected. This squad is more than capable and the scoreline shouldn’t dismiss how good the visitors actually are. They kept the ball extremely well, were dangerous in spells but they were simply blown away by a clinical and all-round great Rangers performance.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, this team have bounced back well from domestic set backs. It’s sometimes difficult to believe we are still in the thick of three competitions and the squad deserve credit for continually bouncing back when they are written off. I’ve said it, we have all said it - certain players deserve dropped or there are questions surrounding the management - but the return of the ‘zero’ and six premiership points set them up well for last night’s challenge.
What did impress me from last night was the management's flexibility in play. We changed formation and the players responded brilliantly. Starting 4-3-3 which quickly became 5-3-2 then at points 3-4-3 and we were fluent throughout. Little decisions like putting Glen Kamara further forward confused the Serbians because they didn’t know whether to pick him up or let him go and he managed to overload several times, especially on the left with Ryan Kent and Calvin Bassey.
With John Lundstram and Ryan Jack in the middle, Rangers had the foundation to build attacks from. Aribo was floating around picking up good positions. Then there is the big difference in European games. I watched Dortmund be terrorised and Red Star were no different: Kent and Alfredo Morelos.
Both come alive and are unplayable in prominent attacking positions. Morelos with the strength, the out-ball, enjoys a physical scrap and when defenders get tight it is the worst possible thing (for them) as he gets tight and clear with power alone.
Then there is Kent. He gets the ball and runs directly at the heart of defences and they hate it. In Scotland, with two or three around him he struggles to create that space, understandably, but in Europe he has the freedom and Red Star couldn't cope. They both took Dortmund apart and again last night they were every bit as devastating. Sure it’s halfway and absolutely nothing is won, but with those two up front we are capable of hurting teams anywhere in this competition.
It was an almost frantic start. Red Star with the ball in the net after 3 mins to go to VAR for what seemed like an eternity. The offside is confirmed and we breathe again. Then, in our own first foray forward Kent goes straight at them, is tripped and play continues as Jack pulls a shot wide. Then it’s another VAR check, this time for Rangers. It’s like Dortmund all over again. The wait, the Referee goes to check and then makes the TV signal. PENALTY to Rangers. Three words that bring a tingle to our fans everywhere. The captain James Tavernier brilliantly sends his penalty home and we are ahead. Great start!
Then more VAR drama as Red Star have the ball in the net again, this time again it’s confirmed as offside. Both are correct decisions by officials but both a little too close for comfort!
Then it’s two! A short corner to Jack and his cross is cleared only to Alfredo who lashed home superbly! Rangers talisman was once again stepping up.
Then a penalty Red Star and no tingle this time. It was stupid by Jack and a petulant tug is noticed. But rolling back the years, Allan McGregor, the man who's had so much criticism sprung to his right to make a tremendous one-handed save and keep Rangers two ahead. It was bedlam in Ibrox. Two Rangers goals, one VAR assist, two disallowed Red Star goals and a penalty miss and all after 25 mins.
Ibrox was rocking but even with that, Red Star kept the ball and probed away. They are a good side but so are Rangers and we hurt them. 2-0 at half time and we started again on the front foot. After going to a three-man defence we were back to Lundstram in the middle and it caught the Serbians cold once more. The Rangers press is on point as good work from Tavernier and Morelos wins a corner. A tremendous cross is met brilliantly by Balogun and it’s 3-0.
Europa League dreamland once more. Let’s take a minute here also on Leon Balogun. A new contract? I think so. Even at 34 this summer, he has the experience and still has the pace to justify a new deal in this team. You have to consider with Connor Goldson likely departing and the fitness issues of Filip Helander that we will need a new centre back on top of Souttar, so some familiarity may be welcome indeed. Like Arfield, it seems the smart play.
Back to the game and it was all there for Rangers to essentially qualify on the night. A few half opportunities to get another didn't quite come off and then came the Red Star pressure. Just a minute after Goldson's header was cleared off the line, a superb shot by Kanga rattled the crossbar. Then sustained pressure on the 80th minute as Rangers survived another mini scramble in the goalmouth involving another McGregor save low down. Once again, VAR confirmed an offside goal with five minutes left as McGregor's fabulous low stop was turned in. It wasn't as close as the other two. There was still time for a late Fashion Sakala effort and then a glaring miss for Connor Goldson as the gk flapped at a deep cross.
This game had everything.
But more importantly, it had three Rangers goals in another huge European performance. A job only half done but a performance that will be remembered fondly in years to come. It was a rollercoaster of emotions.
If ever there was an advert for VAR then it was here and makes you wonder just where we would be sitting if it had been available for dropped points at Dundee Utd and Motherwell where decisions went against the club, and that’s only in recent weeks.
Tonight the officials were as competent as Rangers were assured in a backyard they have made their own.
Is it too early to dream? Yes it is. But the small part of me and every Rangers fan can dream that 50 years from our greatest European triumph the flame of magic may be flickering ever so slightly. But it’s only half done and those thoughts need to be buried with a tough second leg still to negotiate.
This team, perhaps destined to break up this summer, deserves a moment that we will all remember them by. An invincible championship will be forgotten in the emotion of this season if it doesn’t go our way. European magic won’t be.
One game at a time though and we can’t afford to think further than that.
We can dream for a second or two though.
Well done Rangers.
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