Europa League

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Europa League Qualifying | Second Qualifying Round

Aug 2, 2018 at 7.45pm UK

Rangers Rangers
1-1
Osijek

Katic (54')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Barisic (89')

Rangers edge past Osijek in Europa League qualifiers

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 02 August 2018

Rangers edge past Osijek in EL qualifiers

Rangers reach the third qualifying round of the Europa League thanks to a 1-1 draw with Croatian club Osijek on Thursday night for a 2-1 aggregate win.

Rangers have reached the third qualifying round of the Europa League thanks to a nervy 2-1 aggregate win over Croatian club Osijek.

The Scottish Premiership giants led 1-0 from the second qualifying round first leg at the Stadion Gradski vrt, while a 1-1 draw in Thursday night's return clash at Ibrox was just enough to progress to the next stage.

Gers began brightly and could have taken the lead after just three minutes, but despite Ryan Kent's deep corner dropping kindly for Lassana Coulibaly, the Malian could only blast his ensuing effort over the bar.

The visitors enjoyed a bright spell of possession for around 10 minutes thereafter but Steven Gerrard's charges were barely tested and subsequently stepped up a gear again, forcing Marko Malenica into action to deny Alfredo Morelos and Daniel Candeias in quick succession.

Gers then conceded possession in midfield, allowing Osijek to break quickly as Robert Mudrazija tested goalkeeper Allan McGregor at his near post with a decent effort, and both sides continued to trade blows until the half-time whistle blew with the deadlock still unbroken.

The hosts did not take long to open the scoring after the restart, with Morelos keeping a James Tavernier free kick alive at the back post and Nikola Katic rising to nod the ball into the back of the net on 54 minutes.

Just as the Light Blues continued to maintain control of the game, Osijek struck with a goal out of nowhere to level proceedings on the night and put their opponents' qualification hopes under threat, Borna Barisic beating McGregor with a well-struck effort.

However, Rangers were able to hold on to maintain their 2-1 advantage over the Croatians, putting them in the third qualifying round, where they will meet Maribor after the Slovenians claimed a 2-0 win on the night and on aggregate against Chikhura Sachkhere of Georgia.

RANGERS (4-3-3): McGregor; Tavernier, Katic, Goldson, Flanagan; Ejaria (Halliday 90'), Jack, Coulibaly (Arfield 75'); Candeias (Windass 84'), Morelos, Kent

OSIJEK (4-2-3-1): Malenica; Guti, Barisic, Skoric, Grgic; Mioc (Pilj 80'), Mudrazija; Bockaj (Sorsa 68'), Hajradinovic, Henty; Maric (Strkalj 68')