Arfield seals Gers’ spot in knockouts
RANGERS 3 STANDARD LIEGE 2
RANGERS overcame their stiffest examination yet as they booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League with a 3-2 win over Standard Liege.
Gers marked Allan Mcgregor’s record-breaking 83rd European appearance for the club with their 150th win in continental competition to seal qualification with a game to spare.
It also meant boss Steven Gerrard — who was overseeing his 40th Europa League game in charge of Gers — has now masterminded progression from the group stages for the second year running and with it a much-needed cash bonanza.
But it was far from plain sailing as Philippe Montanier’s men twice led after Maxime Lestienne and Duje Cop struck either side of Connor Goldson’s equaliser.
But the resolve that has taken them to December without a blemish on their record shone through again and they claimed the win thanks to James Tavernier’s penalty — the skipper’s 15th goal of the season — and Scott Arfield’s second-half winner.
Standard netted the opener inside six minutes. Laurent Jans’ first-time ball took out Tavernier, while Goldson’s hesitancy allowed Cop to fire a cross to the front post for Lestienne to net.
But Rangers did eventually get a foothold and may not have deserved it but they were level on 39 minutes as Goldson peeled off Merveille Bokadi to meet Borna Barisic’s corner, powering a fine header home.
But Gers were caught sleeping almost immediately and fell behind again. Glen Kamara failed to get out quickly enough to stop Collins Fai collecting a free-kick and his cross was allowed to bounce all the way to the back post where Cop bundled home.
But the flurry of goals was not done there and Gers found themselves on terms again on the stroke of half-time.
Referee Bojan Pandzic appeared to point for a corner after a Kemar Roofe strike deflected off Lestienne — but after consultation with his assistant, a penalty was awarded for handball.
Tavernier fired his ninth successful spot-kick of the season straight down the middle.
Gers clinched the victory on 63 minutes. Kamara picked his moment to slide Ryan Kent in behind with a reverse pass. The winger pulled back for Arfield, who coolly slotted home.