Rangers 2 PSV 2 – Match report and managers comments

Rangers vs PSV, a game that deserves the platform of Europe’s top competition, tonight becomes a reality. Last time these two met in the Champions League both managers faced off against each other. This time it’s the final qualifying round for the right to qualify for the group stages and the financial jackpot that awaits.

This is as tough as it gets for Rangers. A PSV side which boasts top talent like Simons and the much spoken about Joey Veerman. We need to hope the footballing Gods don’t decide his influence becomes crucial and we face the next while hearing social media clamber for the boy we ‘should’ have signed.

But there is shoots of positivity for Rangers as Malik Tillman and Tom Lawrence begin to show signs of settling whilst Antonio Čolak has found his prowess in the penalty area. Rangers will need all of this tonight but the challenge is just as big for both sides as we are set for a real 50/50 match up.

We’ll hear the anthem, we’ll see the signs and the Champions League theme will be all over Ibrox this evening, the real show is within touching distance.

Rangers line up – McLaughlin, Tavernier, Sands, Goldson, Barisic, Davis, Lundstram, Lawrence, Tillman, Kent, Čolak

Substitutions – McGregor, McCrorie, Yilmaz, Jack, Kamara, Wright, Sakala, Arfield, King, Matondo, Morelos, Devine

Good luck to the players and management!

First half action

18 mins – De Jong flicked an early chance over and that aside it’s a very tight game.

22 mins – Tillman shot well saved, better spell for Rangers.

36 mins – GOAL PSV corner isn’t cleared and drops to Sangare who sweeps it home. 0-1

38 mins – Corner is cleared and a Lundstram header from a Kent return easily saved. 0-1

40 mins – GOAAAALLL! ANTONIO ČOLAK! Davis inside to Tav who picks him out wonderfully and he slots home. 1-1!

What a pass by Davis to Tavernier, well done Rangers, what a move and perfect timing!

45 mins – Borna cross and Tav heads towards goal but easy catch. 1-1.

Half Time – Rangers 1 PSV 1

Second half action

48 mins – Caution 4 PSV 📒

50 mins – SAVE! Čolak in but wide however a great low shot is well saved. 1-1

52 mins – Caution 9 De Jong 📒

53 mins – SITTER! PSV are in as Sands fluffs his lines but he drags wide, a let off for Rangers. 1-1.

58 mins – Caution Goldson 📒

62 mins – CHANCE! PSV again driving at Rangers and drills a shot at McLaughlin. 1-1

We haven’t started this half, all PSV.

67 mins – A Tillman break but shoots weakly at gl, he had Čolak and Kent either side. A rare moment in the half.

68 mins – Caution PSV 28 📒 Tillman broke onto a loose ball and is pushed to the ground.

GOOOAAALLLL! From that free kick a speculative effort and the Gk drops it over the line! Tom Lawrence scores!!! 2-1 Rangers!

Substitutions – Wright and Kamara ON – Tillman and Davis OFF

78 mins – GOAL! Terrible defending and no one picks up PSV no 4 Obispo from corner and he heads home. Awful defending. 2-2.

82 mins – CHANCE PSV, ball inside and McLaughlin saves superbly from his line. Excellent GK. 2-2.

FULL TIME – RANGERS 2 PSV 2

Rangers fell behind to a deflected effort from a corner at a time in the first half where PSV were dominating. Rangers came back into it and equalised superbly with a wonderful one touch move well finished by Čolak.

Second half it was all PSV and they missed a glorious chance before Rangers got settled. We never found any rhythm and a rare break by Tillman brought Rangers a FK 40 yards out. Tom Lawrence took a speculative shot to which the GK fumbled in for 2-1.

But Rangers were caught sleeping and PSV bulleted in a header from a corner. A draw arguably even generous on the second half but no doubts PSV are strong and now Rangers will face a huge task next week.

We are still in the tie but we need a huge performance, if they need belief then just think back to Dortmund and that’s exactly what we need next week.