Match Stats: Rangers v Osijek – On We March In Europe

Earlier this evening Rangers hosted FK Osijek at Ibrox for our second leg Qualifying Second Round tie in this season’s Europa League competition.

Rangers went into the affair with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg following an Alfredo Morelos effort and were delighted to see Daniel Candeias recalled to the side after he missed the first game, both for what he’d bring in attack but also his defensive ethic in helping to protect James Tavernier considering the threat we saw from Osijek down their left-hand side in the opening tie.

The game itself was relatively comfortable in many ways with Rangers dominating set pieces and efforts at goal, so it wasn’t quite the rearguard action of the first leg. They did again have their moments though so clearly we still have things to work on – but that was known prior to kick-off.

With the first half ending goalless, Nikola Katic gave us a 2-0 advantage on aggregate to really settle nerves, although an 89th-minute leveller from them – given the injury time to be played – led to a more nervous end. The first leg goal from Morelos saw us through with a 2-1 win over both legs.

We now face Maribor in the Qualifying Third Round given their 2-0 victory over Chikhuru Sachkhere.