View: Winners and losers after Rangers overcome Dortmund in Europa League
Rangers secured a hugely significant result in knocking tournament favourites Borussia Dortmund out of the Europa League last night.
The 2-2 draw inside a raucous Ibrox finished the job after the exhilarating 4-2 victory in Germany, putting Gers through to face Red Star Belgrade following the draw earlier today.
Two goals from captain James Tavernier were enough to keep the home side ahead of the visitors who scored through Donyell Malen and the irrepressible Jude Bellingham.
A special night that saw the Light Blues firmly announce themselves back on the European stage had many stand-out performers, including the goalscorer and the attacking duo of Ryan Kent and Alfredo Morelos.
Here Ibrox News picks out just a few and looks at the winners and losers from an electric night in Glasgow.
Winner – Giovanni van Bronckhorst
The manager of the triumphant side is obviously going to come out of the occasion with credit, but the pressure was truly on the Dutchman following the result in Dortmund.
Had the visitors overturned the deficit there would have been questions asked of the boss following a slip in the league, but he manoeuvred his side excellently to stay on top of BVB.
His tactical decision to bring on Leon Balogun at half time and switch to a back five paid dividends, with John Lundstrum effortlessly slotting into a central three, while the two wing-backs helped Gers dominate the second half.
Loser – Borna Barisic
The Croatian was the sacrifice for the aforementioned tactical change as he was withdrawn after 45 minutes for the returning Nigerian.
Despite some shaky displays in recent weeks the 29-year-old did not appear to play too badly in the first half, but looks to have lost some of the confidence of fans and his manager following his horror show in the Old Firm derby.
Now that Balogan is fit again he may struggle to regain his place considering his competition.
Winner – Calvin Bassey
That competition is the 22-year-old Nigerian who was in fabulous form last night after switching to the left wing-back spot.
Despite some questions over his own form after a glaring error against Ross County he has come back strongly when deployed on the flank in recent wins.
He was excellent at Ibrox last night, pressuring the visitors and pinning them back in tandem with his captain on the opposite side, and it was his cross that assisted the second goal when he dug out a dangerous ball after great work to outwit two opponents out wide.
Loser – VAR
After some refereeing decisions went against the Light Blues in the SPFL since the turn of the year the clamour for the introduction of VAR in Scotland has increased.
The calls may die down a bit after last night after Kent’s third was ruled out upon review thanks to a perceived foul by Morelos on Emre Can.
The German appeared to actually kick the Colombian as he was caught in possession but the referee saw it differently and awarded the foul in Dortmund’s favour, with it later becoming clear that Antonio Mateu Lahoz had not been shown the best angle of the incident despite it being broadcast on TV.
Winner – Rangers fans
Obvious as it seems, the supporters were arguably the biggest winners of all.
The night will go down in Light Blues history as one of their top results in Europe and fans everywhere will remember who they watched it with and where for years to come.
Those lucky enough to be inside Ibrox were treated to a special atmosphere, and whatever happens for the rest of the season, nothing can take the experience away from them.
In other Rangers news, frequent detractor Chris Sutton could only applaud after the result over Dortmund.