Rangers have earned a top eight Europa League finish following a 2-1 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox.
Rangers had to beat the Belgian club to ensure a place in the Europa League’s top eight but needed other results to go their way on the night.
Goals from Nicolas Raskin and the returning Vaclav Cerny ensured Rangers did their job with the likes of Manchester United, OGC Nice and Hoffenheim doing the Gers huge favours.
Kevin Mac Allister went on to score a looping header to ensure a nervous end to the clash at Ibrox.
Here’s how the Rangers players rated as Philippe Clement’s team secured safe passed to the Europa League last 16 and avoided the dreaded playoff round.
Rangers player ratings v USG (Europa League)
Jack Butland – 6
Didn’t have too much to do for Rangers despite USG offering a big threat at times at Ibrox.
Suspect for the USG goal and was caught off his line with Mac Allister’s looping header.
Questions certainly remain over Jack Butland at Ibrox.
Leon King – 5
Recalled to the Rangers team due to issues with injury and ineligibility and wound up suffering a concussion in the first minute of the game.
Initially recovered with an excellent challenge in the Rangers box but went off telling physios “I can’t see”.
Left the pitch in tears and let’s hope to see Leon King back in a Rangers shirt soon.
James Tavernier – 9
The Rangers captain is a monumental figure for the club and once again put in an almighty shift at centre-back.
James Tavernier put in a series of top blocks and challenges against a threatening USG attack but also put in a stunning cross for Nicolas Raskin’s opener.
Also made an excellent goal-line block to prevent USG from equalising.
Tav was our Man of the Match at Ibrox and a superstar for this Rangers team on the night.
Robin Propper – 7
The most experienced Rangers centre-back on the pitch there was a moment when Robin Propper almost got caught in possession in the first half.
Rangers were a tad frenetic at the back throughout but Robin Propper offers an increasing sense of familiarity and control, at least on the ball, in these matches.
Got a strange late yellow for a physical aerial challenge.
Jefte – 6
Jefte has been linked to Chelsea this week and at moments it’s easy to see why with the Rangers left back taking strong touches inside showing his quality.
But there are times when Jefte is a tad wasteful or delays on the ball, even if the Brazilian’s energy and effort is never in doubt.
Good player and was up against a challenging USG attack but Clement is right; Jefte still has levels to grow.
Nicolas Raskin – 8
One of Rangers’ top performers in the Europa League this season, Nicolas Raskin sets the tone in the Ibrox midfield.
Snapping into challenges and mopping up loose balls, Raskin plays with impetus and aggression and once again had a huge role to play at Ibrox.
Opened the scoring with a rare goal at the back post and put in another superb performance on the European stage.
Mohamed Diomande – 7
Like Nicolas Raskin, Mohamed Diomande is developing into a key player for Rangers and once again put in a controlled and composed midfield display.
The Ivorian is excellent on the ball and suits playing in that ‘number eight’ role for Rangers.
Can be petulant at times and picked up a stupid yellow card late on but is a big game player for Rangers who once again stepped up and showed his class.
Nedim Bajrami – 6
Nedim Bajrami was given the number ten slot at Rangers against USG and the attacking midfielder showed good link up play at times at Ibrox.
There is a player of real quality there, with Bajrami a flair player who is always looking for a clever pass and does so with a sense of style.
But the Albanian continues to really impose himself on matches and we’re still waiting on Bajrami to really run the show in a game at Ibrox.
Vaclav Cerny – 7
Recalled to the starting line up for Rangers in a major boost to the team’s chances with USG.
What you see is what you get form Vaclav Cerny, with the Czech winger always willing to take the ball and take players on.
Whether he cuts in from the right or runs to the byline, Cerny is unpredictable for defenders and, whilst it never always comes off, is a relentless off the right.
Rangers have a player of genuine quality in the winger who once again popped up to score a fine finish from Cyriel Dessers’ excellent cross.
Might’ve netted a worldie if it wasn’t for the outside of the USG post.
Hamza Igamane – 6
Hamza Igamane took an excellent touch in the first half for Rangers and it looked like the Moroccan might be very much up for it against USG.
But it wasn’t to be for Hamza at times at Ibrox despite the striker showing some excellent touches and being a creative player for the side.
Igamane didn’t always make the right decision in this Europa League clash at Ibrox and he’ll have better games but the striker’s quality is without question.
Cyriel Dessers – 8
Cyriel Dessers told Rangers fans he had ‘unfinished business’ at the club in the week and his story at Ibrox is one of monumental resurgence.
Dessers might not have scored at Ibrox tonight but the big striker led the line excellently and Cyriel is clearly a player on form and in confidence.
Showed excellent dribbling and tenacity throughout and fashioned opportunities for himself that on another day might’ve found the back of the net.
Dessers’ selflessness and composure was summed by Rangers’ second goal, where the striker had the USG defender backpedaling when one-on-one and calmly found Vaclav Cerny.
A different player and he cannot be allowed to leave this January.
Substitutions:
Ross McCausland – 6: Recovered from a nervous first half to show more composure and contribute to the victory. Showed good energy at times.
John Souttar – 6: It is a huge boost to see John Souttar back on the pitch and the defender made one solid goal-saving challenge in the match.
Zak Lovelace – 5: Fully committed but struggled to get on the ball at times.
Paul Nsio – 5: Involved in patches but looked nervous. Did himself no disgrace in a tense finish to the game.
