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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Ben Banks

Josip Juranovic delivers post Celtic heroics at Calvin Bassey expense as former Rangers star rues VAR in European exit

Josip Juranovic ran out victorious on his biggest night since leaving Celtic - leaving former Rangers rival Calvin Bassey head in hands during Union Berlin's 3-1 Europa League play-off win over Ajax.

The Croatian grabbed a goal and an assist en route to a big victory for the Bundesliga side over Eredivisie opposition. Bassey handed a penalty to the hosts in Germany to kick off a bad night for the Amsterdam club, who exit Europe this season having won two of their eight games across Champions League Group A and this round of 32 tie - both against Rangers.

It was a horror start for the Nigerian international, who had the ball headed onto his outstretched arm. Referee Carlos del Cerro did not spot the incident initially but VAR did, and deemed the player Rangers sold to Ajax for a club-record fee last summer guilty. Robin Knoche punished him further before Juranovic scored his first goal since leaving Celtic in January, a low shot goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli couldn't stop from nestling in the bottom corner.

A 0-0 draw in Amsterdam made this one a winner takes it all affair, with Union in pole position at the break. But Mohammed Kudus' goal straight after half-time provided some Dutch hope.

Juranovic was quick on the scene to dash them. He whipped a corner in for Danilho Doekhi to nod home and the tie was sealed at that, with Edson Alvarez sent off to cap off a bad night for the away team.

It's an end of the road result in the Europa League for Ajax and Bassey. But Juranovic's Union Berlin can now look forward to a last 16 draw involving big hitters like Juventus and Manchester United.

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