PSV were rumbled from their slumber by the crack of fireworks outside their hotel. But it’s Rangers now wide awake to the possibility awaiting them 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 they were hoping for but, make no mistake, Gio van Bronckhorst’s team remain firmly in the fight for a Champions League return after 12 long 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 Clydeside 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. But 12 months on from blowing apart Gers’ group-stage hopes, Antonio Colak fired his fourth goal in four games to draw the hosts level.
It was another night in which the Croatian – ludicrously labelled a waste of space by Mark Hateley – rammed his critics words down their throats.
Colak was lucky to get away with an off-the-ball swipe at PSV’s Andre Ramalho – just as fortunate as Tom Lawrence was to see a harmless-looking free-kick spilled over the line by calamity keeper Walter Benitez.
Rangers’ providence ran out when Armando Obispo headed home the equaliser with 12 minutes left but they have every right now to believe they can go to Eindhoven next Wednesday and finish off the job.
A night like this called for experience and calm so it was no surprise van Bronckhorst opted to utilise Steven Davis’ 37 years worth of midfield wisdom for part one of this crucial final eliminator as he returned alongside Ryan Kent, Lawrence and James Sands.
The punters reading through the PSV line-up might have stopped briefly to ponder what might have been had Ibrox chiefs followed through on Steven Gerrard’s ambitions for the signing of Joey Veerman.
The former boss never got his wish and the Dutch playmaker has shown Gers what they’re missing out on with three goals in five games this term, including two against Monaco in the last round.
Van Nistelrooy wasn’t short on attacking purpose, however. Veteran striker Luuk de Jong spent last year at Barcelona and 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, with only a slip or an overhit final ball costing them the chance to threaten. Kent found his path repeatedly blocked by right-back Jordan Teze while Malik Tillman could only fire straight at Walter Benitez from range.
Borna Barisic looks to be growing in assuredness having so far seen off the early challenge of £4million new boy Ridvan Yilmaz. It was the
Croatian’s early pass into Tillman that put PSV on the back foot.
Just a pity for the hosts that the American couldn’t sort his own out as he ran the ball out to ruin a shooting opportunity. It took 28 minutes for the first moment of drama to arrive as James Tavernier’s corner was met by a Connor Goldson header.
The ball clearly struck 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. It was looking like Gers were just starting to take command, popping passes about as van Nistelrooy’s men were forced to retreat.
But PSV are a side capable of breaking in an instant, using their supreme individual talents to rampage forward in a flash. Manchester United target Cody Gakpo made Tavernier look silly as he flicked the ball over the Gers skipper’s head before winning a corner.
Tillman got lucky when his slashed clearance attempt ended up in McLaughlin’s arms. But the Light Blues were not so fortunate on 37 minutes when another Gakpo corner caught out Goldson.
His stooped header bounced off Teze, who popped it back for Sangare to scoop past the helpless McLaughlin. The pessimists inside Ibrox could see £40million floating out the door.
But this is a Rangers team that knows its worth and they fired back sensationally to level just three minutes later. And what a move it was. Lawrence and Tavernier worked some space down the right before Davis picked precisely the perfect moment to put the foot down with a first-time pass that send his skipper racing into the box. It had been one-touch stuff to this point and Colak needed no more than that as he steered in a delicious finish.
It’s hard to believe he is the same player as the anonymous figure who barely touched the ball at Livingston on opening day. But then a goal can do wonders for a poacher’s confidence and Colak is clearly a man motoring on self-belief.
Only a sharp Benitez stop denied him a second just after the break. Rangers flirted with danger as Ismael Saibari cut through Goldson and Sands before prodding a golden opportunity just wide. It wasn’t a night to be taking your eye off the ball so quite what Benitez was up to as Lawrence launched a tame-looking free-kick straight down his throat is a mystery. The keeper thought he had it – until he didn’t, turning desperately in a forlorn attempt to keep the ball out as it dribbled over the line.
Yet again Ibrox exploded as they moved ahead with 20 to go. But the lead lasted just eight minutes. Veerman drew an ironic cheer as he slipped before delivering a corner but the PSV playmaker had the last laugh as his delivery was sent looping past McLaughlin by Obispo’s header to level the tie again.
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