Rangers miss a golden opportunity to kill their Champions League QR3 tie against 10-man Servette with the cash bonus of a Playoff place now hanging in the balance.
The Gers started the match against the Swiss Super League side very brightly and raced into a two goal lead within the first 15 minutes.
Ibrox skipper James Tavernier gave Rangers the lead from the penalty spot after only six minutes, the Rangers captain dispatching a spot kick after Todd Cantwell was brought down on David Douline’s blind side.
Cyriel Dessers would then net his first Rangers goal following a summer move from Cremonese, the ball bounding off the striker in the six-yard box from a Borna Barisic cross.
From there Rangers were expected to go and build on the bright start, Servette missing several players due to injury, suspension and visa issues, but things did not transpire that way.
Dutch attacker Sam Lammers missed a gilt-edged opportunity to make the score 3-0 and effectively put the game beyond Servette’s reach but fluffed his lines.
Goalscorer Cyriel Dessers then went from hero to villain as his reactionary handball in the Ibrox box handed Servette a penalty kick which was duly dispatched by Chris Bedia.
In the second period Rangers’ initially constructive offensive play began to become especially more ragged, the club’s players appearing to force the issue with slack passing and a lack of fluidity evident throughout the team.
Servette goalkeeper Joel Mall pulled off an extraordinary low save to his right to prevent Sam Lammers extending Rangers’ lead, whilst the stopper also halted efforts from Danilo and Cyriel Dessers in the second half.
Rangers to take narrow Champions League lead to Servette
Rangers struggled to break down a resolute Servette after midfielder David Douline was shown a second yellow card and there is an air of frustration surrounding the Champions League clash.
Yes, this was Rangers’ first victory of the season and a much-needed result following the weekend’s demoralising defeat and performance against Kilmarnock.
But with several key players returning for Servette in Switzerland and the club’s Geneva ground heading for a sell-out, there are nerves that this is a major opportunity missed for the Ibrox club.
Rangers will not have it all their own way in Switzerland and a narrow 2-1 lead in the tie is unlikely to be enough to get the Gers through next week.
High energy surrounds Servette on home soil and Rangers will likely have to score and show more incisiveness and cohesion if they hope to go through in Switzerland.
With PSV Eindhoven likely in wait for the victor of the tie having stuffed Sturm Graz 4-1, either of these sides overcoming the Dutch outfit appears an almighty tall order.
But with a £4.5m payment guaranteed for either Rangers or Servette should they make the Champions League playoff round, there is plenty to play for on the continent.
