Rangers will travel to Bilbao well in the tie after a 0-0 draw with Athletic Club in the Europa League quarter final first leg at Ibrox.
Rangers held out for the stalemate despite Robin Propper being sent off early on in the match at Ibrox and will head to Spain well in with a shout of reaching the semi-finals.
Here are five things we noticed from the match with Liam Kelly the Europa League hero after being recalled to the Rangers starting XI.
Robin Propper in spotlight after dubious red card v Athletic Club
Robin Propper started the clash with Athletic Club amid a suspension to John Souttar and it couldn’t have gone much worse for the Dutchman.
Propper was harshly red carded for a challenge on Inaki Williams at the edge of the Rangers box, with VAR suggesting that the defender had stopped a ‘clear goalscoring opportunity’.
It’s certainly borderline but the decision after only 13 minutes meant Rangers played the overwhelming majority of the match with only 10 men.
Rangers answer Barry Ferguson’s call and banish Ibrox blues
Barry Ferguson spoke before the match about Rangers letting early setbacks affect them in matches; that certainty didn’t happen here.
Despite Propper’s early red card, Rangers put in a resolute and disciplined display which earned the club a valuable draw despite playing with 10 men.
This was a team performance and Rangers restricted Atheltic Club to few openings, even if the Ibrox side struggled to create any themselves.
Bailey Rice shoulder injury halts Europa League clash
Twelve minutes was added on at the end of the Rangers game after play was halted for a nasty collision involving young midfielder Bailey Rice.
Teenage midfielder Rice was given the nod in midfield at Ibrox and did impress in the first half but was stretchered off the pitch with a shoulder injury in the second period.
Applauding the Rangers fans as he left the field, the Bailey Rice blow was compounded by another serious looking injury involving Dujon Sterling late in the game.
Liam Kelly repays Barry Ferguson’s faith with stunning penalty save
Barry Ferguson’s decision to drop Jack Butland for Liam Kelly made waves ahead of the match and the Rangers academy graduate put in a Man of the Match display against Athletic Club.
Kelly made two strong saves in the first half and put in a commanding display between the sticks but the goalkeeper would play a crucial role in the second period.
After Athletic Club had a goal ruled out the Spaniards were offered a dubious penalty for a Dujon Sterling handball which Kelly duly saved with his outstretched foot.
Rangers have everything to play for in Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao came into the clash with Rangers firm favourites but despite playing against 10 men for the bulk of the match, the La Liga side were a tad underwhelming.
It will be a big ask for Rangers to go to the Estadio de San Mames – coincidentally the host of this season’s final – and come away with victory but the club will be encouraged.
Rangers have everything to play for in Bilbao and if you ask us, should be confident of a positive result given they are already well in this tie.
