STILL BASKING IN EUROPA JOY
Seville on the minds of many as Rangers supporters get the party started early
OUT came the beach balls, rubber rings and sombreros. On went Y Viva Espana through the PA system. It might have been a sunny Sunday afternoon, but Ibrox was still very much bathing in the afterglow of last Thursday evening’s heroics.
The epic achievement of reaching the Europa League final has changed everything. In normal times, a match that had to be won to delay the formality of Celtic’s coronation as champions would likely be an edgy affair. A looming full stop of disappointment on a Premiership campaign that has slipped away.
But now? This was a party from first whistle to last. A day of celebration about the impending trip to Seville. And a chance to laud those who got them there.
To a buoyant support, the May 18 date with destiny is all that matters right now. Talking about it, planning for it, scrambling for tickets, daring to dream.
That feelgood factor extended to a dominant display on the pitch. A team showing no fewer than seven changes from the success against RB Leipzig made this a one-sided affair.
By its end, second-half goals from James Tavernier and Amad Diallo meant Celtic will have to wait until Wednesday night at Tannadice to try to rubber-stamp the title.
Six points behind and 20 worse off in goal difference with two games left, everyone at Rangers knows it’s going to happen. It’s just that it doesn’t hurt quite so much any now. Not when there is suddenly a bigger prize to grasp against Eintracht Frankfurt in a first continental final for 14 years.
Of course, European football is also what Dundee United hope to have next season. Despite not laying a glove on their hosts, this loss hasn’t done much damage to their chances. Tam Courts’ youthful side remain fourth in the table, one point above Motherwell.
Inevitably, an additional cheer had greeted John Lundstram’s name when it was read out among the Rangers substitutes. Scorer of the late, bedlam-inducing winner against Leipizig, the midfielder was further serenaded by a rendition of his Belinda Carlisle-based anthem. It would be belted out with renewed gusto when the players and their families took to the pitch after full-time.
Given Rangers are now ending their Premiership season with three games of minimal significance, there was no impediment to Van Bronckhorst ringing the changes.
Careful management of the squad is the priority until Seville. It’s about finding a balance between rest and not losing a collective intensity that might be tricky to regain.
As it was, only four of those who started last Thursday night — captain James Tavernier, Connor Goldson, Borna Barisic and Scott Wright — did so again.
It was a 58th game of the season for Goldson. Tavernier is now on 55. Once again at Ibrox, they have been definitions of durability.
Teenager Leon King impressed on his first Premiership start alongside Goldson in central defence, while fit-again Aaron Ramsey was among the others introduced. Kemar Roofe remained absent from the squad, leaving midfielder Scott Arfield to operate in the centre-forward area with Sakala to his left.
The Zambian was the first to threaten United’s goal as Rangers sought to sustain the positive vibes. Bursting between two visiting defenders, he managed to squeeze in an angled, left-footed shot that Benjamin Siegrist got down well to block.
Linked with interest from Ibrox, soon-to-be free agent Siegrist had to produce an even better save following brilliant interplay between two of the most experienced stagers in this Rangers squad.
Now 33, Arfield signed a new 12-month contract with the club on Saturday. Steven Davis is four years older and his future remains uncertain, yet there was abundant quality in the way he helped his colleague pick a way through United’s defence.
A quick, precise pair of one-twos set up Afield for a firm strike expertly repelled by Siegrist at the expense of a corner.
United gave 18-year-old Mathew Anim Cudjoe his first start beside Tony Watt up front but getting either of them involved in dangerous positions was proving awkward. Watt’s most notable first half involvement was being felled by Sakala deep inside his own half, a foul which earned the Ibrox man a booking.
Sakala was soon back in a more constructive mood. Admirably controlling a long ball from Goldson, he swivelled away from his marker and drilled a right-foot attempt narrowly wide.
Rangers enjoyed 73 per cent of possession in an opening period. But it ended without actual incision to show for their dominance. Van Bronckhorst’s first answer was further rotation, as Diallo replaced Wright on the right wing.
While the Manchester United loanee wasn’t directly involved, the Ibrox side soon had a breakthrough. Sakala had already drawn another save from Siegrist when a little lofted pass from Aaron Ramsey sent him scampering into the area on 55 minutes.
Siegrist came out to meet him, with Sakala sent spinning up in the air. Referee Steven McLean took a moment to think before pointing to the spot and showing the goalkeeper a yellow card.
Up stepped Tavernier. Siegrist guessed the direction he would send the ball but couldn’t prevent it from hitting the net. The right-back now has 17 goals across all competitions.
Courts’ response was to remove Cudjoe, who had been unable to make an impact, and introduce the far more experienced Nicky Clark. He would soon blast a right-foot drive wide of Jon McLaughlin’s near post.
Van Bronckhorst waited until the 65th minute before easing the strain on Tavernier, Barisic and Arfield. Off they all came, with youngsters Adam Devine, Alex Lowry and Charlie McCann introduced. For Devine, a 19-year-old full-back, this was a first-team debut.
The clinching strike arrived on 78 minutes. Sakala slid a pass though for Diallo, who crisply finished for his second Rangers goal.