Glasgow Rangers have returned to the Champions League group stage. In the play-off second leg against PSV Eindhoven, Antonio-Mirko Colak scored decisively for the Scots.
Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy sent the same eleven players onto the field who started in the 2-2 first leg draw. And Rangers coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst also dispensed with numerous changes: Only Kamara replaced Davis (bench) in central midfield.
According to the first leg result, it was an even match in Eindhoven, in which both teams had strong phases. PSV started the game, but their first efforts through Gakpo (4th) and de Jong (12th) were still harmless.
Eindhoven let the lead slip before the break
After the break, the Rangers went a lot down the left side and the strong Kent, who first shot into the arms of PSV keeper Benitez (13th), then crossed dangerously to Colak (14th) and finally failed with a flick (18th). The best chance up to that point came shortly afterwards from Lundstram, whose powerful shot missed the goal on the left (26th).
In the final minutes of the first half, the home side again put on pressure – and this time it was a real challenge: De Jong narrowly missed a Teze cross (38th). The second, almost identical ball he got shortly after, but failed to McLaughlin in the goal of the Rangers (43.). Sangaré headed just over from a corner kick (39th) and Gakpo was also just over the bar with his shot (44th).
Lawrence hits the crossbar – then Ramalho fluffs it
The missed chances were to take their revenge in the second half. The Dutch came out of the dressing room well at first, but only rarely found dangerous situations. It was the visitors from Scotland who created those. Lawrence started the game and hit the crossbar with a beautiful shot (56th).
Shortly afterwards, Tillman put Ramalho under pressure in the build-up and stole the ball from him in the PSV penalty area, crossed to Colak, who only had to push in – Rangers’ lead was perfect (60th). The player who had set the ball up then provided the next dangerous finish, but Tillman’s shot from distance was saved by Benitez (68th).]
Max misses the equaliser
Two times the Scots’ lead wobbled: once when Max put a volleyed effort beside the goal (72nd) and shortly afterwards when Gakpo’s shot was saved by McLaughlin (74th). Otherwise, Rangers successfully kept PSV away from their own goal and could celebrate their first Champions League participation in twelve years after the final whistle.
On Thursday, Rangers look forward to the Champions League draw in Istanbul. In the league, the Scots host Ross County on Saturday (4pm). On Sunday (14.30) PSV will play Excelsior Rotterdam, who have just strengthened their team with ex-PSV player Adrian Fein.
