Rangers’ domestic campaign has been marred by inconsistency, no more so evidenced than making their worst start to a Scottish Premiership season ever but the UEL has been a reprieve for Philippe Clement's men and they set about their must-win encounter in the same kind of form that has seen them still in with a chance of obtaining a coveted top eight spot on the final matchday.
In the 18th minute, James Tavernier whipped in a free-kick from the right which Cyriel Dessers headed high over the bar when the forward really should have done better.
Royale Union Saint-Gilloise did not heed the warning of Tavernier’s threat from wide areas and it was the Rangers captain again at the heart of everything involved in the host’s opener.
The uncapped Englishman’s pinpoint cross, this time from the left, was met by Nicolas Raskin who headed his side in front.
The Scottish side’s opponents were in a similar position coming into the match with top-eight ambitions still intact and they thought they had equalised when a free-kick caused chaos in the Rangers’ defence with Franjo Ivanovic poking the ball past Jack Butland only for VAR to rule the leveller out for offside.
Just before the break, VAR once again was involved, this time denying Dessers, with the Belgian’s volleyed finish also coming from an offside position.
Dessers didn’t let his head drop and was heavily involved in Rangers doubling their lead 10 minutes after the restart.
The forward was released down the left before driving fearlessly at the Union SG defence and cutting the ball back to Vaclav Cerny who clinically slotted the ball beyond Anthony Moris.
Kevin Mac Allister halved Rangers’ lead in the 83rd minute with his looping header setting up a nervy finish at Ibrox, but Rangers ultimately managed to stay the course and brilliantly qualify for the round of 16 in last-ditch fashion.
For Union SG, the loss meant the Belgian side dropped to 20th and will have to navigate the play-off round instead.
Flashscore Man of the Match: James Tavernier (Rangers)
