By Alistair Aird
On Saturday the Rangers supporters were sun-drenched. En-route to this one they were simply drenched as a Scottish summer night took on a more familiar look. The rain didn’t dampen any ardour, though. The supporters were coming back to the Ibrox citadel to worship for the fourth time inside 10 days, but this encounter was without a shadow of a doubt the most important of them all. An opportunity to edge a little closer to the riches of the Champions League group stages was at stake. It was time to strap ourselves in for another rip-roaring ride on one of those extra special European nights under the lights.
Gio van Bronckhorst made four changes to the XI that had comfortably beaten St Johnstone on league business at the weekend. Out went Ben Davies, Ryan Jack, Scott Wright, and Rabbi Matondo. They were replaced by James Sands, Steven Davis, Tom Lawrence, and Ryan Kent.
The elder statesman of that quartet, Davis, brought with him a wealth of experience having made over 50 appearances for the club in European competition. Northern Ireland’s record cap holder would as expected sit alongside John Lundstram, and he made an effective contribution to the game, touching the ball 48 times and completing 85.7% of his passes. He made three key passes and only surrendered possession on nine occasions.
Led by Ruud van Nistelrooy, PSV came to Glasgow with the intention of playing in the way that only Dutch teams know, on the front foot. Neither PSV nor van Nistelrooy were strangers to Rangers either. PSV had drawn 0-0 on their first visit here in the European Cup in 1978 before Rangers obliterated their proud unbeaten home record in the second leg to progress. A Michael Mols-inspired 4-1 win followed in 1999 – van Nistelrooy netted the PSV consolation from the penalty spot – before the Dutch side chalked up a 1-0 win in the Europa League in 2011.
As we have become accustomed to in 2022, Ibrox was, well, just different when the teams took to the field. The follow followers had turned up as requested clad in blue, and they raucously roared as the large Champions League logo that enveloped the centre circle fluttered. The night sky around Ibrox was pierced by the infamous Champions League anthem for the first time in over a decade, and the stage was set, 180 minutes stood between Rangers and an opportunity to accept an invitation to share an arena with the elite of European football.
The game kicked off with things a little off kilter. Rangers usually attack the Broomloan Road end of the ground in the first half but ended up attacking the Copland Road end instead as the star man of late, Malik Tillman, got us underway.
Van Bronckhorst has been pretty fluid and flexible in his team shape and formation in Europe, and it seemed in the early exchanges that his full backs were pushing up high in 4-2-3-1 formation. However, PSV enjoyed some early possession, and they created an early chance, De Jong nipping in but firing his shot over the bar. Had he hit the target it wouldn’t have counted as the flag was raised for offside.
Rangers were neat and tidy in possession and responded when Kent burst down the left. His cross was blocked, but he had an industrious start to the game. He played an active role as Rangers pressed PSV high up the pitch, a strategy that had the visiting defence flustered at times. However, Kent’s star waned as the match progressed. The physicality of his direct opponent, Jordan Teze, was a factor, but although he had a passing accuracy of 82.8% and completed five of the six dribbles he attempted successfully, he lost possession 13 times, only crossed the ball into the box three times and failed to register a shot on goal. His numbers continue to disappoint.
After falling out of the game, PSV came back to life, and Barisic was almost caught out by cross-field pass. He was too far infield but managed to recover on this occasion to block the cross. But after Tillman had a weak shot gathered by Benitez, Rangers had a spell of pressure that rattled PSV. Tillman was heavily involved, but after some superb play, he took one touch too many after a run into the box. Colak was ready and waiting for a cutback that never came.
After 26 minutes there was a shout for handball when Goldson’s header struck the arm of a PSV defender. The Italian referee waved away the appeals, though, a decision that was later verified by a VAR check.
The game was very open, and it was now PSV’s turn to have a good spell. They forced a series of corners and reaped a rich reward. Tillman cleared the first one easily but was then fortunate to get away with a fresh air swipe at the front post, the ball drifting harmlessly through to McLaughlin. But from another flag kick, the Rangers defence got into a bit of a fankle, and Ibrahim Sangare scored. It was scrappy, and Rangers were once again caught out defending disappointingly at a set piece.
But the home team offered a rapid response. Tillman’s shot spun wide for a corner, and although Lawrence’s delivery didn’t clear the first man, the Welshman was involved in a superb move that brought about the equaliser. He linked with Tavernier on the right, and when the Rangers captain was released by an exquisite pass from Davis, he squared the ball for Colak to make it four goals in four games.
The Croatian has responded superbly to some heavy criticism, and he had another industrious evening. Although he only had 26 touches of the ball, he had four shots on goal, two of which were on target while one of the others was blocked. Indeed, he was very unfortunate not to double his tally of goals early in the second half, his run and shot from the inside right channel drawing a fine save from Benitez.
Colak’s goal came four minutes shy of the interval. It had been a breath-taking half of football, a real see-saw encounter, with both sides enjoying spells of play in advanced areas. Rangers had shown that last season wasn’t a flash in the pan and that they were more than comfortable at this level. The home support was desirous of more of the same in the second half.
Initially, it looked as though they would get what they were looking for. Rangers were on the front foot, and some of the PSV passes were going astray.
But it soon became apparent that PSV had altered their approach, and as the half progressed, they became the better side. Their number 28, Ismael Saibari, had three excellent opportunities to score, poking the ball wide after 53 minutes then failing to keep his shot down just short of the hour mark. And after 62 minutes, he advanced into the box again, but his shot was smothered by McLaughlin.
PSV were playing much further forward, but Rangers kept them at bay. Much of this was to do with some timely interventions from James Sands. The American has been a surprise inclusion as the left centre back, but he had an excellent match up against Luuk De Jong. Although he only won two of his six aerial duels, he made two clearances, two interceptions and blocked one shot. In total, he touched the ball 101 times, boasted a passing accuracy of 93.6% and lost possession on six occasions. By means of comparison, Connor Goldson’s passing accuracy was 76.6%, and the Rangers vice-captain lost possession on 18 occasions.
Rangers were not posing much of attacking threat, but after 67 minutes, Tillman broke forward from the heart of the pitch. He had the option of playing in Kent wide but went for goal instead. Alas, his left foot shot dribbled towards goal and was gathered easily by Benitez.
The PSV goalkeeper had to that point enjoyed a decent night, but he had a moment to forget a minute later. Tillman was taken out by Saibari, and Lawrence seemed to be sizing up a shot at goal from around 30 yards. He did blast the ball towards goal, but it should have been a routine save for the PSV custodian. Instead, he let the ball slither out of his grasp, and it spilled over the line. Remarkably, having been under the cosh, Rangers were ahead!
Ibrox was rocking again. Thursday nights last season have given way to Tuesday nights this season, and Rangers now looked for a third goal. After 74 minutes, a good delivery from Tavernier was headed away by Obispo, but when Wright, who had replaced Tillman, cut the ball back, Colak’s touch took the ball away from a well-placed Lawrence.
The game then swung to the other end, and with 12 minutes remaining, PSV drew level. And it came from another corner. Gakpo took it, and his delivery was headed into the net by Obispo inside the six yard box. The PSV man was all set to be substituted, but he was afforded the opportunity to run unchallenged from the penalty spot to outjump Goldson. Glen Kamara, who had come on for Davis, didn’t cover himself in glory either.
There wasn’t much in the way of clear openings after that apart from a chance for Phillip Max. He was played in on goal by a wonderful pass from Joey Veerman, but McLaughlin came off his line, spread himself and made a fine save.
Although the manner of the goals conceded was disappointing, Rangers are still very much in the hunt for a place in the group stages. Ruud van Nistelrooy admitted that Rangers had caused his side problems, particularly in a first half during which they had eight shots on goal, four of which were on target. They can take heart from that going into the return in Eindhoven next week.
The dream of qualification for the Champions League group stage is very much alive.
