How Rangers' pinpoint PSV precision make a mockery of Joey Veerman's salty claims

Antonio Colak netted the only goal of the game in Holland to secure a memorable 1-0 win, making it six victories out of six in two-legged European ties for Giovanni van Bronckhorst since becoming Gers boss.

As it proved in the first leg at Ibrox last week, it was an even game in Eindhoven. PSV edged the shot count but it was the away side who created the bigger – and biggest – chance of the evening to engineer the breakthrough - facts in total contrast to blowhard Dutch midfielder Joey Veerman's take after the game.

There was nothing between the sides in the first half as Rangers enjoyed a sustained period with the upper hand, although PSV wrestled back the momentum prior to the interval and the half-time whistle came at an opportune time for van Bronckhorst’s men.

However, the Ibrox side seized their moment on the hour-mark to create the most simplest of tap-in finishes for Colak, and it will have encouraged the coaching staff that the team defended stoically thereafter given what was on the line.

PSV edged the game in the context of xG until Malik Tillman laid the ball on the plate for Colak midway through the second half.

The Dutch side had their best opportunity in the 74th minute when Cody Gakpo was sent through one-on-one, but Jon McLaughlin underlined his worth with a fantastic save.

Meanwhile, Rangers may have been largely restricted to shots from outside of the penalty area, but they were still able to create a high volume of shooting opportunities. Tom Lawrence rattled the crossbar after a wonderful solo effort from the edge of the danger area.

PSV were more dangerous in fashioning shooting chances within the parameters of the penalty area, but were able to limit Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side to an xG per shot of just 0.07 (total xG divided by the total number of shots).

Gakpo was undoubtedly PSV’s danger man and the Manchester United target had five shots at goal without scoring.

Rangers’ pass map from the evening also highlights van Bronckhorst’s clear tactical plan in possession.

The Gers built in their usual back three with Borna Barisic tucked inside to stretch PSV’s first line vertically. Ryan Kent held the width on the left, while James Tavernier pushed forward with Tom Lawrence coming inside from his role on the right.

Lawrence found joy high in the right half-space, while Tillman was a dual threat in his ability to help alleviate pressure for Rangers in deeper positions while also picking up the ball in pockets of space on the outside of Ibrahim Sangare further upfield. Colak, meanwhile, was eager to drop off the forward line to provide a direct passing option as highlighted by his proximity to both John Lundstram and Glen Kamara.

PSV, in contrast, looked to overload Rangers’ right-hand side through the dangerous combination of Joey Veerman and Gakpo. Jordan Teze enjoyed some joy in the first half in galloping down the right-hand side from deep to deliver dangerous crosses.

Tillman, who was the architect of Rangers’ solitary goal on the evening through his intelligent opportunism, led the side in total pressures with Antonio Colak not far behind.

The Bayern Munich loanee was very active in pressing in the final third, with four of his pressures in PSV's defensive third in the map below coming in the second half.

The 20-year-old was also very active off the ball when the Dutch outfit had possession on the right-hand side, which is reflected in the team-wide pressures map from the victory.

His most important pressure, however, arrived on the hour mark when the American international dispossessed Ramalho inside his own penalty area before squaring to Colak. The Croatian’s finish had an xG of 0.91 owing to its point-blank location and, once the forward made contact, a PSxG of 1.00 underlines the formality of the finish.

The summer signings combined at a crucial juncture in the game to secure Rangers’ return to Europe’s premier competition.