Rangers might hold the unwanted record of being statistically the Champions League’s worst-ever side, but the success of PSV Eindhoven and USG in the Europa League highlights the success of just gletting there.
After Rangers’ 3-1 final match day defeat in the competition against Ajax, the club wound up the Champions League’s worst-ever performing side, with the 0 points and -20 goal difference a competition record.
We’ve already poured over the campaign extensively, with the club’s performance sitting somewhere between a steep learning curve at best and a disgraceful embarrassment at worst.
But Rangers remain the biggest contributors to the Scottish coefficient despite their woeful performance in the competition proper, with Celtic and Hearts not exactly covering themselves in glory either.
The less said about Motherwell and Dundee United, the better.
Rangers’ Champions league foes smashing it in Europa League
Whilst Rangers’ injury-ravaged Champions League campaign will go down in history, the results against now-Europa League sides USG and PSV Eindhoven in qualification are a success story.
Rangers set up a Champions League Playoff with PSV Eindhoven after beating Belgian Pro League side USG in QR3 of Champions League qualification.
The Ibrox side had to overcome a 2-0 defeat in the first game in Belgium to win the clash 3-2 on aggregate, with Malik Tillman rising high to nod in a winner and secure progression to the playoff.
Now, USG have already qualified from Group D in the Europa League with a game to spare, with the Belgians still unbeaten and guaranteed to finish in top spot as they host Union Berlin.
Similarly, PSV Eindhoven have already qualified for the knockout round of the Europa League but they face a shoot-out with Arsenal to finish top of the group.
There is huge incentive to finish top as those who finish second will face the 3rd placed Champions League sides in a Playoff after Christmas.
In order to avoid it, PSV – who beat Arsenal 2-0 last week – will need to win their clash away to Bodo/Glimt whilst Arsenal drop points at home to Zurich.
Rangers drew 2-2 with the Dutch outfit at Ibrox before defeating them 1-0 in Eindhoven to qualify for the Champions League.
As the two teams look forward to Europa League football next season, their success in the competition proves Rangers do deserve credit for overcoming USG and PSV even if the Champions League campaign flopped.
Meanwhile, Rangers fans have been let down after an approx £8.25m investment into the club.