RANGERS will travel to Belgrade next week with a three-goal lead in place after Thursday night stunning UEFA Europa League, Round of 16 win over Red Star at Ibrox Stadium.
A brilliantly taken penalty from captain James Tavernier, a terrific finish from Alfredo Morelos and a stunning penalty save from Allan McGregor meant the Light Blues were in a strong position at the end of a pulsating first half that was action packed from start to finish.
The second half provided more of the same with a further goal from Leon Balogun on 51 minutes giving Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side a hugely memorable first-leg victory over Dejan Stankovic’s men.
As expected, the pre-match atmosphere was electric as the teams emerged from the tunnel, with Rangers wearing their all-blue kit and the Serbian visitors sporting their famous red and white striped jerseys.
The game started at a high tempo and with just two minutes on the clock Red Star had the ball in the net when playmaker Aleksander Katai curled a terrific shot beyond McGregor in front of the Copland stand..
However, there was a player in an offside position in the build-up, which was confirmed by VAR.
The video assistant referees were clearly keeping a close eye on proceedings and on 11 minutes they saw a foul on Ryan Kent in the box which few supporters, if any, in the stadium had spotted or shouted for.
The tension in the four stands was palpable as Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk jogged over to the Main Stand’s VAR screen and, after taking a good look at the incident, he pointed to the penalty spot and Ibrox erupted.
Tavernier stepped up and, as has become the norm in these situations, he sent his spot kick high into the top corner of Milan Borjan’s goal, giving the big keeper absolutely no chance.
It was proving to be an electric start to the match and, just seven minutes after the opener, Rangers doubled their advantage with a strike from the top drawer.
The scorer, not surprisingly on this European stage, was the impressive Morelos.
Ryan Jack floated the ball into the packed box after receiving it from a corner and when the ball dropped to the Colombian he fired a shot into the opposite bottom corner with stunning confidence and accuracy.
With the stadium now bouncing, Red Star had to find a way back into the game and on 23 minutes this fascinating contest looked to be taking another twist when Jack fouled Mirko Ivanic in the box. The referee didn’t need VAR this time to help him make his decision.
With another penalty awarded, Serbia star Katai hit the target but his right-foot shot was brilliantly saved by McGregor, who dived low to his right at full stretch to palm the ball around the post.
It was a stunning stop from the Gers’ experienced number one, who was making his 70th UEFA Cup/Europa League appearance for the club.
The second half saw the Light Blues fly out the traps and just six minutes in they made it 3-0, with Leon Balogun this time getting his name on the scoresheet.
A curling corner kick from Tavernier was perfect for the big Nigerian international who powered a wonderful, towering header into the net from roughly 12 yards out.
Calvin Bassey and Joe Aribo were the other Nigerian players on duty.
