What a goal: Wet Gers get Roofe over their heads

Kemar Roofe made an almighty splash as his wondergoal ensured rainlashed Rangers kicked-off their Europa League campaign with a 2- 0 win over Standard Liege.

Gers had to endure a second-half downpour but R o o f e’s stoppage-time strike from the halfway line sank the Belgian outfit, with the former Leeds forward marking his first appearance in over a month due to an ankle injury in style.

The sunny disposition Gers have been displaying since Saturday’s Old Firm triumph grew brighter when James Tavernier slotted home his latest penalty midway through the first half.

Standard striker Jackson Muleka had two efforts crash against the woodwork before the break but the biggest threat to Steven

Gerrard’s team after the interval came as the heavens opened.

There were just under 4,000 fans at the Stade Maurice Dufrasne but there were real concerns they would not get to see the game finish as the ball began sticking in the drenched pitch.

Thankfully for the Scottish Premiership leaders, Danish referee Jakob Kehlet allowed the match to go the distance as Roofe’s spectacular effort confirmed the Light Blues’ first away win in a group stage since Walter Smith’s team beat Lyon back in 2007.

In 18 minutes the spotkick award came as Connor Goldson got on the end of a Tav e r n i e r c o r n e r. Hi s header was never likely to continue the Parkhead goal hero’s scoring hot streak but Nicolas Gavory was foolish enough to let it hit his arm and Kehlet immediately reached for his whistle.

Tavernier stepped up to fire home his ninth goal in the last 10 appearances past Arnaud Bodart.

Gers had the crossbar to thank on the half- hour mark when Muleka crashed a header off the bar from Collins Fai’s cross as Allan McGregor was left scrambling, while Goldson had to time his tackle to perfection as the Standard frontman threatened to burst through again.

The Ibrox boss’ concerns would have grown when Barisic was forced off with a thigh problem late in the half but Calvin Bassey did not let his manager down as he threw himself into the action with three vital blocks.

Mu l e k a punched a Maxime Lestienne cross against the bar just as the half-time whistle went. It was a blatant handball but it was missed by Kehlet, who instead booked McGregor for his protests.

There was another moment of hesitation from Morelos two minutes into the second period as the Colombian wasted a great chance to add a second, with his h e av y touch allowing Bodart to rush and block his shot.

It took another decent stop from the keeper to deny Morelos in the 60th minute as Hagi exploited another huge hole in Standard’s back-line, while Arfield swept wide after a Bassey run.

The rain clouds were by this stage dumping an enormous amount of water.

But Roofe wrapped up the win as he danced his way past three challenges before launching a lengthy strike over Bodart’s head from almost inside his own half.

Kemar Roofe celebrates.