Rangers enjoyed one of the most famous European nights in the club’s history as they secured a thrilling 6-4 aggregate win over Borussia Dortmund to reach the Europa League last 16.
The Scottish champions stunned Dortmund in Germany with a 4-2 win in the first leg of the knockout round play-off last week and the return game in Glasgow was equally as exciting.
Gers skipper James Tavernier scored from the spot in the 22nd minute but goals from England international Jude Bellingham on the half-hour mark and striker Donyell Malan had the Bundesliga visitors ahead at the interval.
Tavernier turned anxiety back to joy when he levelled in the 57th minute and Rangers tightened up in the nervy second half where Ryan Kent had a ‘goal’ chopped off through VAR, but at the end of a frenetic night it was the Scottish fans celebrating an incredible European result.
Dortmund went into the game on the back of a morale-boosting 6-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday but star striker Erling Haaland was again missing with an abductor problem.
From the side which lost in the first leg, Emre Can, Thomas Meunier, Nico Schulz and Thorgan Hazard came back in while Giovanni Van Bronckhorst named the same Gers team that started in Dortmund, and it was the visitors who made the brighter start.
Respite came from a rare foray when Gers winger Kent was tripped just inside the box by Julian Brandt, referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz pointing to the spot.
Ibrox erupted when Tavernier slammed the penalty high past keeper Gregor Kobel, beating him again from 12 yards as he had last week.
Moments later, as Dortmund came storming back, Brandt’s powerful drive from the edge of the box drew a terrific save from Allan McGregor.
But the visitors were not to be denied and when Bellingham found himself with only the Rangers keeper to beat after a mistake by Connor Goldson, the English teenager stroked the ball past him with assurance.
Rangers were again pressed back into their own box as Dortmund took the lead on the night, with Malan getting a touch on a Bellingham flick to slide the ball past McGregor from 10 yards.
However, again it was Tavernier who came up trumps when he flashed a deep cross from rampaging defender Calvin Bassey in from six yards after the break.
Kent then had the ball in the net in the 67th minute from a Morelos pass on the break but after looking at his VAR monitor, the referee controversially ruled it out, judging a foul on Can by the Colombia striker.
It did not matter though as Rangers held on for a draw on the night and a stunning win on aggregate, leaving their fans dreaming of a deep run in Europe.
