Rangers’ hopes of successive seasons in the Champions League group stages remain in the balance after they cleaved out a tense play-off first leg draw with PSV Eindhoven at a boisterous Ibrox.
Michael Beale asked his side to give themselves a platform for the second leg in the Netherlands and, although they lacked refinement at times, shovelfuls of endeavour kept them in the tie.
A tense Ibrox erupted with joy just before the interval when Abdallah Sima shaped in a splendid opener. But that hard-fought advantage would not last, Ibrahim Sangare benefiting from an outrageous Ismael Saibari stepover to thud in on the hour.
When substitute Rabbi Matondo slapped Cyriel Dessers’s teasing delivery into the net, it seemed that Rangers might have a priceless lead to take in their luggage but, just like 12 months ago, the first leg would finish 2-2.
Four minutes after Matondo’s strike, Luk de Jong soared to divert a towering header and ensure these sides will reconvene for a second leg in Eindhoven with both eyeing a place on the biggest stage.
Rangers edged it last year thanks to Antoni Colak’s solitary goal, before going on to endure an utterly chastening campaign against Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax.
But to give themselves the opportunity to right some of the wrongs of the worst group stage return in the competition’s history, the Scottish Premiership side will need to show more next Wednesday.
They were second best for much of this game – more blood and sweat than pass and move at times – but demonstrated admirable resolve to eke out a creditable result.
Indeed, had Danilo shown a touch more composure when presented with an opening at the death, victory might have been theirs. Instead, they go against next Wednesday. And it’s still anyone’s guess how this tie will end.
Player of the match – Ismael Salibari (PSV Eindhoven)
Plenty to ponder but Rangers can have belief – analysis
Beale had lavished praise on PSV’s attacking prowess pre-match, and it almost seemed at times in the first half as if there was a hesitancy about Rangers when it came to committing men forward.
Borna Barisic and James Tavernier stayed deep, leaving Sima, Dessers and Todd Cantwell a little isolated. But the Ibrox side became more positive and reaped the benefits with Matondo’s goal.
That they conceded relatively cheaply so soon afterwards will sting, but Beale can reflect that his side can play better than this. Much better. They will need to next week but that is a challenge for another day.
What’s next?
Rangers visit Ross County in the league on Saturday (12:30 BST) before travelling to Eindhoven for the return next Wednesday (20:00). After this, PSV will be idle until the second leg.
