Rangers have clinched automatic qualification to the Europa League last 16 after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise at a packed Ibrox Stadium. Nico Raskin and Vaclav Cerny delivered crucial goals, ensuring that Philippe Clement’s side avoided the play-offs.
This result, coupled with Nice’s 1-1 draw against Bodo/Glimt, saw Rangers finish eighth in the Europa League league phase, sealing their place in the next round. The Scottish giants will now face one of Fenerbahce, Bodo/Glimt, Twente, or Anderlecht in the last 16.
🔥 Match Recap: Rangers 2-1 Union Saint-Gilloise
âš˝ First Half: Raskin Breaks the Deadlock
- 20th minute: James Tavernier provided an inch-perfect cross, allowing Nico Raskin to nod the ball across goal and into the net, putting Rangers 1-0 up.
- 30th minute: Union SG thought they had equalized through Franjo Ivanovic, but VAR ruled the goal offside, keeping Rangers ahead.
⚡ Second Half: Cerny Extends the Lead
- Early second half: Mohammed Fuseini came close to equalizing, but Tavernier made a last-ditch block to deny him.
- 54th minute: Rangers capitalized on the momentum as Vaclav Cerny smashed home a goal from a Cyriel Dessers assist, giving Rangers a comfortable 2-0 lead.
- Cerny nearly scored again moments later, hitting the post from 25 yards out.
⏳ Nervous Finale: Union SG Pull One Back
- 83rd minute: Kevin Mac Allister pulled a goal back for Union SG with a well-placed header, making it 2-1 and setting up a tense finish.
- 90+5 minutes: Rangers held their ground during five minutes of stoppage time, securing their crucial victory.
đź“Š Key Match Stats & Data Debrief
- 🏟️ Rangers continue their strong European form: They have now progressed from the group stage of a major European competition in five of their last six attempts.
- 🔥 Ibrox Fortress: Clement’s team has lost just two of their last 14 home games in the Europa League, with nine wins and three draws.
- 🎯 James Tavernier’s assist streak: The Rangers captain has now assisted in three consecutive Europa League appearances, matching his previous 35-game total.
- 🆚 Rangers outperformed elite clubs: Finishing above Ajax, Real Sociedad, Roma, and Porto, they have firmly established themselves as one of the strongest teams in this season’s Europa League.
🏆 Who Could Rangers Face in the Europa League Last 16?
Having finished eighth in the league phase, Rangers will face one of the four play-off round winners in the last 16. Their potential opponents include:
🔹 Possible Europa League Last 16 Opponents
✅ Fenerbahce (Turkey) – Managed by Jose Mourinho, a team with European pedigree.
✅ Bodo/Glimt (Norway) – The Norwegian side is known for their attacking play.
✅ Twente (Netherlands) – A tactically strong team from the Eredivisie.
✅ Anderlecht (Belgium) – A club with rich European history.
The draw for the last 16 will take place in February, with matches scheduled for March 2025.
🎙️ Manager & Player Reactions
🗣️ Philippe Clement (Rangers Manager):
“I’m incredibly proud of the team. We knew what was at stake tonight, and we delivered when it mattered most. Now, we focus on preparing for the last 16.”
🗣️ James Tavernier (Rangers Captain):
“Securing automatic qualification was massive for us. Ibrox was electric tonight, and we’ll be ready for whoever we face next.”
🔮 What’s Next for Rangers?
With their Europa League last 16 spot secured, Rangers will now shift their focus back to domestic competitions, aiming to maintain momentum in the Scottish Premiership before returning to European action in March.
🔵 Can Rangers make another deep run in the Europa League like their 2021-22 final appearance? Let us know in the comments! 👇
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