Rangers beat Servette to march into Champions League play-offs
The match began in frenetic fashion with early chances falling to both sides; José Cifuentes saw his shot blocked after being teed up by James Tavernier’s corner, while Jack Butland made a superb save after Timothé Cognat made a surging run through the Rangers defence.
Cognat’s chance served as a warning for what was to come, as Servette wiped out their first-leg deficit through Dereck Kutesa beautiful, caressed finish into the top corner.
The midfielder was teed up by Jérémy Guillemenot inside the box, before providing a finish of the highest quality past Butland in the 23rd minute.
Danilo wasted a golden opportunity to level the score on the night, as he allowed a wonderful cross from Cifuentes to bobble under his control before scuffing a finish over the bar.
Kutesa was played through on goal again, but elected not to square the ball towards Guillemenot and allowed Butland to make a comfortable save as HT approached.
Michael Beale’s side were toiling in the Geneva heat and were looking for inspiration from somewhere after the restart. It would come from a familiar source too, as captain Tavernier brilliantly headed home from Borna Barišić’s pinpoint cross to equalise and restore Rangers’ aggregate lead.
The Gers looked to increase their advantage, and substitute Cyriel Dessers would have been disappointed not to head Nicolas Raskin’s cross on target.
The Nigeria international came even closer moments later after some superb link-up play with Todd Cantwell, but his angled attempt was brilliantly tipped onto the post by Joël Mall.
The Glaswegians held onto their lead with relative comfort and will have a sense of déjà vu when facing PSV Eindhoven in a UCL play-off for the second season running, hoping history repeats itself and they manage to book a group stage berth again.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing night for René Weiler’s team, but a debut appearance in the UEFA Europa League group stage is not a bad consolation prize.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Todd Cantwell (Rangers)
