Stevie G strikes it rich now

RANGERS hit the Europa League jackpot as a 2-1 win over Galatasaray saw Steven Gerrard’s men make it a hat-trick of group stage qualifications.

Ibrox boss Gerrard (above) admitted his hopes of finally securing the extra midfielder he has long desired hung on whether his team could make it to the money-spinning group phase for the third year running.

Scott Arfield opened the scoring in the 51st minute after great work from James Tavernier and Ianis Hagi. And Tavernier soon got in on the action himself, doubling the lead j just seven mi minutes later – making it seven goals in his last seven games.

Galatasaray made it a nervous last few moments for Rangers, however, when Marcao headed past goalkeeper Allan McGregor in the 87th minute.

Odsonne Edouard (circle) scored the second-half goal that proved the undoing of Sarajevo.

And that was enough to also take Celtic into the group stages of the Europa League thanks to a 1-0 win.

The Scottish champions dominated the ball in the one-legged play-off tie in Bosnia and Herzegovina without really testing home goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic in the first half.

Celtic continued in relentless pursuit of a goal and in the 69th minute French striker Edouard – in for injured Albian Ajeti – knocked the ball in from close rabge after Kovacevic failed to deal with a drive from the excellent Ryan Christie.

Boss Neil Lennon was so pleased with his side’s 3-0 defeat of Hibernian at the weekend he made only one change, enforced, with Edouard replacing Ajeti.