The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rangers win but Hibs are held in Europa League qualifiers
Rangers take crucial two-goal cushion to Slovenia for key tie
Skipper James Tavernier underlined his importance to Rangers as his penalty edged Steven Gerrard’s men towards a 3-1 victory over Maribor at Ibrox.
Gerrard staved off interest in the right-back from West Brom ahead of their Europa League showdown with the Slovenians.
And it was the captain who took on the responsibility of firing the Light Blues back in front after their sluggish firsthalf display had threatened to hand the visitors the first-leg momentum.
Alfredo Morelos was back in the side following his Pittodrie dismissal and was again at the thick of the drama, first putting Rangers ahead, then wasting a golden opportunity by getting himself caught offside before eventually winning the spot-kick that nudged the hosts back in front.
Lassana Coulibaly’s late header put daylight between the teams but Mitja Viler’s strike for Maribor means there is still work to be done in next Thursday’s return fixture.
Morelos gave Rangers the dream start with the opener inside five minutes.
Daniel Candeias and Scott Arfield’s pressing pinned the Slovenians into the far corner and Marko Suler was stripped of possession.
Arfield fed the ball to Ryan Kent and while the Liverpool youngster’s sidefooted effort was stopped by Jasmin Handanovic, the keeper could do nothing as Morelos pounced on the rebound.
A drop in focus seemed to sweep through the Light Blues, and even the usually dependable Allan McGregor had to be bailed out by Connor Goldson when he spilled a speculative strike from Aleks Pihler.
Amir Derisevic was at the heart of everything Maribor created and it took an impressive McGregor block to prevent the beanpole midfielder scoring as he strode on to a Marcos Tavares through-ball before Tavernier blocked Luka Zahovic’s rebound.
Tavernier’s timing had to be perfect again as another superb ball from Derisevic sent Denis Klinar sprinting in behind Jon Flanagan, with the captain making it just in time to deny Gregor Bajde a tap-in.
On 38 minutes Morelos allowed himself to be caught offside after Handanovic fired the ball straight to Candeias, whose quick-thinking should have led to a second goal as he squared to his team-mate to bundle into an empty net. That blunder was punished as Derisevic fired a perfect cross-field pass from deep to Viler, who lashed past McGregor.
Morelos made swift amends on 49 minutes. Twisting one way then another, he lured Ivkovic into a trip that had Israeli referee Roi Reinshereiber pointing straight to the spot. Tavernier stroked home from 12 yards to restore Rangers’ lead.
Coulibaly then ensured Rangers will take a two-goal lead to the Stadion Ljudski next week as he nodded home from Jamie Murphy’s cross with just five minutes left.