10-man Rangers remain in hunt

Gerrard’s side hold on for point to set up win-orbust trip to Rapid Vienna

Rangers remain in the hunt for the Europa League last 32 after Steven Gerrard’s side survived 45 minutes with 10 men to claim what could yet be a crucial point from Villarreal.

A controversial red card for Daniel Candeias just before half-time left Gers up against it.

But for the second time in this campaign, the Light Blues frustrated the Yellow Submarine as they battled to a merited 0-0 draw at Ibrox.

And it leaves their destiny firmly in their own hands, with victory against Rapid Vienna in Austria in two weeks’ time guaranteeing passage to the knockout rounds.

Allan McGregor, who was excellent in goal for Rangers, told BT Sport: “The boys dug in well.

“I don’t think they looked like scoring and we could have scored ourselves. At half-time we would have taken a point.

“To have a chance to qualify for the last 32 is really good.”

On Candeias’ red card, McGregor said: “I thought it was the wrong man, but I probably need to watch it again.”

Rangers, roared on by a pumped up capacity crowd, chased after the visitors with a wild hunger, forcing their opponents into mistakes.

Yet the hosts were also guilty of leaving too much space for the visitors and the result was a compelling end-toend contest.

The first opening Arfield’s feet but he broke at Scott could only stab the ball straight at goalkeeper Andres Fernandez.

Villarreal’s Karl Toko Ekambi then burst into the box but Carlos Bacca could not provide the killer touch as the Cameroon international fired across goal.

Alfredo Morelos saw a neat flick at the near-post bounce over before Bacca gave Joe Worrall the slip with a dip of the shoulder but from the cut-back, Ekambi made a mess of his finish.

Rangers should have struck on the half-hour mark as Arfield clipped a cross to the back post but Connor Goldson blazed over the bar from Worrall’s knock down.

The Ibrox side had to be bailed out by two incredible saves from McGregor as he twice stood up to deny Ekambi oneon-one.

But, on the stroke of half-time, came the moment of drama. Candeias, already on a booking after bringing down Jaume Costa, raced to chase down Santiago Caseres alongside James Tavernier and Morelos.

All four ended up in a heap and as Caseres rolled around theatrically, Slovenian referee Matej Jug decided the Portuguese winger was to blame and flashed a second yellow, although he had to be reminded by the visitors that a red was required.

McGregor was required again just after the restart as he pushed away a Mario Gaspar drive, while Glenn Middleton, pushed through the middle to partner Morelos by Gerrard, fired over as Rangers refused to let their heads sink.

Javier Calleja’s frustration with his side’s lack of cutting edge saw him ALLAN MCGREGOR introduce Santi Cazorla on 62 minutes but even the former Arsenal man could not find a way past Gers’ stubborn resistance.

It was Rangers who were cheering with 14 minutes left as Middleton prodded home from a Tavernier cross, but the celebrations were quickly hushed as his strike was ruled out for offside.

Kyle Lafferty then replaced Morelos and turned the decibel levels up again with a rasping drive that Fernandez had to push over.

Gerrard screamed at his men to continue pressing as the game moved into the final 10 minutes and they responded by bravely putting their bodies on the line.

McGregor denied Samu Chukweze with another fine stop, while Ramiro Funes Mori wasted a great chance at the death to snatch the win for the visitors.

Rapid’s 2-1 win over Spartak Moscow earlier in the day had sent Rangers to the bottom of the table.

Spartak led through a Ze Luis goal after 20 minutes but strikes from Muldur and Schobesberger in the last 10 minutes sealed the win for the Austrians.

Villarreal and Rapid go into the final round of games locked together on seven points, with Rangers on six and Spartak on five.

Rangers: McGregor, Tavernier, Worrall, Goldson, Flanagan, Coulibaly (Ross McCrorie 90), Jack, Arfield, Candeias, Morelos (Lafferty 78), Middleton. Subs not used: Foderingham, Ejaria, Halliday, Grezda, McAuley.

Villarreal: Fernandez, Mario, Alvaro, Funes Mori, Jaume, Caseres, Morlanes, Trigueros (Cazorla 62), Fornals (Chukwueze 73), Toko Ekambi, Bacca (Gerard 62). Subs not used: Sergio Asenjo, Sansone, Pedraza, Bonera.

Referee: Matej Jug (Slovenia).

To have a chance to qualify for the last 32 is really good.