Rangers were faced with a difficult opening first leg against Athletic Bilbao. Even after going down to ten men and conceding a penalty, they proved their fighting spirit and earned an impressive result. The game was played at Ibrox, where the home team—led by interim manager Barry Ferguson—fought hard and showed great spirit. Liam Kelly, stepping in as the team’s goalkeeper, figures to be key in helping Edinburgh Town gain a vital clean sheet.
Rangers have been abysmal defensively in their last few games, allowing goals at an astounding pace. This time around, they stood strong against a powerful Bilbao team, with a collective defensive performance that was nothing short of heroic. The crowd at Ibrox celebrated as Kelly saved a late penalty from substitute Alex Berenguer, keeping the hopes of progressing to the next round alive.
These were drastic measures Ferguson unveiled, especially after the players’ awful domestic display just a week earlier versus Hibernian. This was a clear sign that he was serious about changing the direction of the season. With some of their most important pieces soon to return from suspension, Rangers are primed to capitalize on this showing as they continue in the days ahead.
Rangers’ Defensive Resilience
Recent performances had many worried about Rangers’ defensive capabilities, as the team had been giving up goals like it was a party. Prior to this fixture, they all carried three defeats in their past six home fixtures in the UEFA Europa League. To say this trend is alarming would be an understatement. In complete contradiction, the game against Bilbao opened up the door to a new collective for the team.
In front of a crackling international atmosphere on a classic European night at Ibrox, Rangers showed a fight and belief that hadn’t been seen in recent performances. Despite being reduced to ten players following a red card, they remained resolute against a Bilbao attack that threatened multiple times. Strong casting balanced actors who deftly embodied their characters and highlighted their dedication to the greater cause.
Liam Kelly’s performance as the starting goalkeeper served as exemplary for this newfound resolve. He denied an important penalty kick late in match, preserving an important draw for his team. This moment was a preview of his growing reputation as Rangers’ new first-choice keeper.
“I never actually had much to do in the game; once we went down to 10 men, the guys in front of me were absolutely brilliant.” – Liam Kelly
The assembled home crowd got to see a collective performance that answered Ferguson’s earlier demand with loads of heart and determination.
Ferguson’s Tactical Adjustments
Barry Ferguson’s tactical choices were hugely influential, as the following picture reveals Rangers’ setup. He rotated six players from the previous weekend’s defeat, giving starts to Kelly and 18-year-old midfielder Bailey Rice. This decision was indicative of Ferguson’s desire to rattle some cages after the club’s poor domestic form.
Ferguson stated he was pleased with the reaction of his team after the match. He emphasized that the players stepped up impressively to his demands for even more commitment and intensity.
“That was a proper Rangers performance. That’s the exact reaction I wanted.” – Barry Ferguson
When the team came under pressure due to a red card, his tactical savviness changed. He personally rotated lineups and plays at a heart-stopping pace to beat the rush.
“It was a bit chaotic [the sending off]. I can see why the referee gave a red card, but at that stage, you need to shuffle the pack,” Ferguson elaborated.
The gamble turned out to be a masterstroke as Rangers held off incessant pressure from a fierce Bilbao side.
Looking Ahead
Rangers, meanwhile, are preparing for the second leg of their showdown with Bilbao. They will be boosted by the return of their primary central defenders John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande, back from suspension. They will be without their captain Robin Propper for disciplinary reasons. The second leg at Ibrox is a real game changer for the Gers. It gives them a tangible opportunity to progress further than the quarter-finals of any of UEFA’s major competitions since the 2011-12 campaign.
The draw instantly imbues supporters with unshakeable belief in their side’s fortunes in Spain. Ferguson’s focus on their still being in the tie competitively only adds to that swagger.
“We’re still in the tie; it’s all to play for now. We’ll go over there and try to approach the game in a certain manner,” Ferguson stated confidently after the match.
With their next daunting task ahead of them, Rangers need to build off their recent success with the lingering concern of their defensive exposures still remain. Many players on the team have already developed tendencies more suited to the European game that will no doubt be critical in their pursuit for European glory.
Leave a Reply