Rangers drew 2-2 with German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund on Thursday evening to spectacularly progress to the Europa League last 16.
It was a match filled with tension and nerves right from the off, but a James Tavernier penalty sent Ibrox wild. A Dortmund double before halftime sent them into the break with the wind in their sails and it looked like it would be a long second half.
Full credit to the manager who brought on Leon Balogun for Borna Barisic and when Tav scored the equaliser, it looked like it would be enough to send us through. Here are three main talking points from a wonderful European night.
James Tavernier is a Rangers legend
This seems the most obvious comment now, but it has taken the captain a long time to prove that he deserves legend status, but I think his performances over the previous season and a half have more than merited it.
The 30-year-olds stats are incredible, he has scored 75 goals and made 104 assists since joining the club in 2015. A remarkable number but even better considering these are from right back.
There is no doubt Tavernier is one of the Ibrox side’s most important players and his goals and assists can be crucial as we continue to chase glory on three fronts.
VAR debates
There have been ever-growing calls for VAR to be introduced to the Scottish game following recent poor refereeing performances, however, after a major call last night, there might not be an immediate rush for it.
Ryan Kent scored what looked like a goal to send Rangers into a 3-2 lead, but Alfredo Morelos was deemed to have fouled Mats Hummels in the build-up and the goal was disallowed.
There was absolutely nothing in it and the goal should have stood, the referee made the correct call, but VAR overruled. If the technology is going to be inconsistent too, then maybe the game is better off without it up here, for the moment anyway.
Rangers can take confidence from beating Borussia Dortmund over two legs
This was arguably Rangers’ best European result in our recent history, defeating Borussia Dortmund 6-4 on aggregate. The Ibrox side can surely take plenty of positives from the result and carry this forward onto the next tie.
Although the league remains the priority this season, there is nothing better than a European run as a healthy distraction. Whoever we face in the last 16 will know they are going to be in for a tough ride as this result has sent shockwaves through the continent.
Hopefully, this will give us a confidence boost heading into league duty too, especially considering our poor away form and the fact Celtic are leading the table.
Meanwhile, have a read of our match report from the special night at Ibrox.
