Rangers will play RB Leipzig in the semi-finals of the Europa League after a hard-fought 3-1 win over Braga at Ibrox.

James Tavernier opened the scoring with a stunning back post finish in the second minute. It send Ibrox into a frenzy and a second should have arrived moments later when Roofe nodded home Barisic's sensational cross but it was ruled out for a hand-ball in the build-up.

Rangers finally took control on the 42nd minute when Kemar Roofe was felled by Vitor Tormena in the box. The defender was sent off as he made no attempt to win the ball and Tavernier slotted home the penalty to put his team further ahead.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men pushed forward and looked likely to add to their lead but David Carmo leapt above everyone to nod a tie levelling goal with seven minutes left against the run of play.

Rangers were nervy and rocking for a spell but regained their composure and Roofe finally got the goal he deserved in extra-time after a brilliant low cross from Joe Aribo.

It left the tie 3-2 on aggregate and sent the Scottish champions into dreamland.

Rangers achieve the remarkable

Make no mistake, Scottish teams are not meant to reach Europa League semi-finals in 2022. Just reaching this stage given the level of polarization at the top of the game is a testament to foundations laid at the club over many years. This has been a slow burn of progress since the arrival of Steven Gerrard in 2018. He restored the team as a force and Giovanni van Bronckhorst has taken it to another level. If this is to be their Last Dance, with many heading out the door in the summer, it's been a jig and shuffle few will ever forget.

Borna is back!

One of the narratives of the season has been the emergence of Calvin Bassey and the corresponding fall of Borna Barisic. The Croat has always been a mercurial confidence player and this term a sense of belief has seemed to elude him. And yet suddenly at St Mirren on Sunday he was back to his dominant best. Nobody in Scottish football has a left foot capable of the exquisite delivery that has made him Croatia's first choice and suddenly, with his pitch-perfect delivery back in place, previously toothless Rangers were baring their teeth. It seemed a big call to pull him back into a Europa League quarter-final but it was obvious from the start the correct call was made. His delivery was the catalyst for the first while a second after a delicious ball should have followed moments later but was ruled out. The quality from the left-flank was never less than tantalising throughout.

John Lundstram dominates middle 

The Scouser had a poor start to life in Light Blue but has come of age since the winter break. He's arguably the most important player in the team on this stage given the responsibility placed on his shoulders tactically to flit between defence and midfield and he carried that with ease. He used the ball brilliantly, moving it with pace and purpose. His low drilled passes with either foot are becoming a hallmark of his team's play. Ross Wilson has received a lot of stick for his signings but Lundstram on a free is suddenly looking like a magnificent deal.

Ibrox rocks to the beat of European glory

The narrative around the club has been subdued by the pain of back to back Old Firm defeats but you wouldn't have known it as the players emerged from the Ibrox tunnel to a show of colour and vibrance that looked to have a profound effect on Braga's young team. This European run has been marked out by the incredible atmosphere generated in Govan, with fans acting as the 12th man again and again. Tonight was up there with the best of them. Barely a soul left the famous old ground and they can be proud of playing their part.

Aribo plays angry

"What I have said to Joe is you are a much better player when you play angry in a nice way, flex your muscles." Gerrard would often lament the Nigerian's inability to impose his giant frame on games and postulated that if he did, the difference it would make would take his game to another level. He was brilliant here in his natural no.10 position, creating but also digging in hard and winning countless balls with his dynamic pressing. His run and cross for Roofe's goal all but laid it on a plate for the striker. If this season is to be Aribo's curtain call as a Ranger, then he seems keen to make a decisive final mark.

Missed chances again the narrative

The numbers back up what the eyes suggested, Rangers were incredibly dominant during the 90 minutes, nearly hitting an expected goals number of four. Braga in contrast had one chance. They buried it decisively as David Carmo eluded Connor Goldson to direct into the corner. It was a sickening moment given the pattern of play that saw momentum flow in only one direction for 83 minutes before the Portuguese side's goal.