GERS’ GROUP BID ON TRACK
PSV WERE rumbled from their slumber by the crack of fireworks outside their hotel.
But it’s Rangers now wide awake to the possibility that awaits them next week in Eindhoven after coming through a first-leg clash that sparkled from start to finish with still all to play for.
It’s not the win that they were hoping for but Gio van Bronckhorst’s team remain firmly in the fight for a Champions League return after 12 years.
The Union Bears were hoping to light the fuse for another night of explosive high drama at Ibrox, setting off a barrage of pyrotechnics outside the hotel being used by Ruud van Nistelrooy and his team in the wee small hours.
Yet it was the Dutch outfit that ignited first as Ibrahim Sangare put the Eredivisie giants in front.
Level
Antonio Colak fired his fourth goal in four games to draw the hosts level before
PSV keeper Walter Benitez spilled Tom Lawrence’s free-kick over the line in the second half.
Rangers’ luck ran out when Armando Obispo headed home the equaliser with 12 minutes left.
Veteran striker Luuk de Jong came close to giving his side an early lead as he flashed over Jon McLaughlin’s bar from Sangare’s cross.
The early stages fizzed as both teams took turns swarming forward but it took 28 minutes for the first moment of drama to arrive as James Tavernier’s corner was met by a Connor Goldson header.
Backed
The ball appeared to strike Jordan Teze’s arm but Italian ref Daniele Orsato’s conclusion that it was above the T-shirt line was backed by his mates in the VAR van.
RANGERS: McLaughlin, Tavernier, Goldson, Sands, Barisic, Lawrence, Davis (Kamara 71), Lundstram, Colak, Tillman (Scott Wright 71), Kent, Sakala, Arfield, King, Devine. PSV: Benitez, Teze, Ramalho, Obispo (Branthwaite 79), Max, Sangare, Veerman, Gutierrez, Saibari, de Jong, Gakpo, Bakayoko, Mwene, Moreira, Oppegard. Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy).