With 65 minutes played of the first leg of Rangers Europa League last 32 tie against Braga, Steven Gerrard’s men were out on their feet and out of the competition as they found themselves 2-0 down, fast forward a week and they are the first team into the last 16.
FULL-TIME: Braga 0-1 Rangers (Agg 2-4)
What a win to send us into the @EuropaLeague Round of 16 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/fwdVPR03y2
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 26, 2020
Gerrard had thrown George Edmundson in at the deep end with “The Fridge” taking the place of Niko Katic after his horror show against St Johnstone, the summer signing had one of “the best days of his life” as he formed a formidable partnership with Connor Goldson.
Rangers squandered a series of first-half chances as Florian Kamberi and Ryan Kent both threatened to give the Ibrox side a two goal cushion, however, it was Ianis Hagi who had the best of the lot when given the opportunity from the spot, only to see his well struck effort saved by Matheus Lima Magalhaes.
Kent made amends for his early miss in the 61st minute when good work by Ryan Jack in midfield led to Hagi playing a beautifully weighted through ball over the high line of the Braga defence, Kent evaded his marker before sliding an inch perfect finish into the far corner.
How far can Rangers go now in the Europa League?
Last 16
Quarter-final
Semi-finals
Final
Goldson marshalled the defence perfectly for the remaining half hour to see the Gers as the first team into the hat for the last 16 and secure a 1-0 victory.
Fans of the Ibrox club took to Twitter to celebrate the sensational result as they put their domestic troubles behind them.
Too early to get ahead of ourselves here but on the other hand, what’s the price of a pint in Gdansk?
— Glasgow Is Blue (@GlasgowIsBlue72) February 26, 2020
🎶 WELCOME TO THE PARTY
WELCOME TO THE PARTY TONIGHT 🎶https://t.co/tcBZP47ngL— Rob McDougall (@RobMcDoogie) February 26, 2020
Absolutely superb result. Well done lads. What a performance by the defence. It would have been easier to move that mountain next to the stadium that it would have been Edmundson. Lovely goal by Kent as well – meant so much to him. Outstanding!
— Moonk Calder (@minicoo_master) February 26, 2020
🔜 Last 16 @EuropaLeague. pic.twitter.com/YHQKvPUDY7
— Michael Seafarer (@MichaelSeafarer) February 26, 2020
Brilliant solid display zero mistakes and plenty of chances..That’s the Rangers we always want to see 🔴⚪️🔵🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 Stunning! 👌 Stay Hungry W.A.T.P
— Stu (@sturfcno1) February 26, 2020
Let’s gooo what a result pic.twitter.com/7wRHGTccl9
— Rangers fan (@Rangersfan_1872) February 26, 2020
Rangers have made the last 16 for the first time since 2011 when Walter Smith was at the helm, Gerrard’s incredible European run as a rookie manager continues to impress with the club’s reputation well and truly restored on the continent.