Rangers booked their spot in the last 16 of the Europa League after a thrilling 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund in the knockout round play-off second leg at Ibrox to win 6-4 on aggregate.
Given the fact Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men had stunned their opponents with a 4-2 win in the first leg at the Westfalenstadion last week, it was clear the tempo was going to be high from the start. And with an electric atmosphere inside Ibrox, the clash certainly lived up to expectations.
Rangers pressed high from the first whistle, but were soon put under the cosh and given a scare by last season’s Champions League quarter-finalists inside five minutes when Jude Bellingham barged into the box and bundled the ball off the right-hand upright.
Against the run of play, though, the hosts were awarded a penalty midway through the first half. Ryan Kent was tripped in the box and captain James Tavernier stepped up to do the honours; he took one deep breath and smashed his spot-kick past Gregor Kobel.
But Dortmund were not to go quietly. Allan McGregor made a superb save that belied his 40 years to deny Julian Brandt, before Bellingham seized on an awkward attempted clearance from Connor Goldson to fire in a clinical equaliser.
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Before the break, they added a second to lead on the night when Brandt’s ball into the six-yard box was not cleared by the Gers’ backline, allowing the lively Donyell Malen to prod in.
Van Bronckhorst brought on Leon Balogun in place of Borna Barisic at half-time and subsequently switched to a back five, which stumped the Bundesliga side. And just over 10 minutes after the break, Tavernier equalised for Rangers with his second of the night, lashing in a volley after connecting with an inviting cross from Calvin Bassey.
Shortly afterwards, Ibrox erupted for a third time when Alfredo Morelos led a breakaway and squared for Kent to roll in, but after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, referee Mateu Lahoz ruled the goal out for a foul on Emre Can in the build-up, despite replays showing he had, in fact, gone to ground after tripping on Morelos’ leg.
But it mattered little as Rangers held on for a famous victory.
What’s next?
Rangers are back in Scottish Premiership action on Sunday when they host Motherwell at Ibrox; kick-off 3pm.
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund are also back to league action on Sunday when they travel to Augsburg in the Bundesliga; kick-off 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports Mix.