August 23, (THEWILL) – Rangers’ UEFA Champions League hopes are in the balance after PSV Eindhoven came from behind twice to draw 2-2 in a pulsating play-off first-leg tie at Ibrox.
Gers attacker, Abdallah Sima, curled in a terrific opener just before the interval with the Dutch side punished for sloppiness. However, the visitors levelled through impressive midfielder, Ibrahim Sangare, just after the hour mark.
Substitute Rabbi Matondo scored his first Light Blues goal in the 76th minute after a fast break allowed Nigerian forward, Cyriel Dessers, to feed him the assist before PSV captain, Luuk de Jong, levelled with a header four minutes later, to repeat last year’s score at the same stage of the competition.
The two sides had drawn 2-2 at Ibrox before Rangers scrambled a 1-0 win in Eindhoven and Michael Beale’s side will be looking for a similar outcome in the Netherlands next Wednesday night.
There was no surprise that Beale made a host of changes from the 2-1 Viaplay Cup win over Morton at the weekend with captain, James Tavernier, John Souttar, Borna Barisic, midfielders Ryan Jack, Nicolas Raskin and Todd Cantwell and Sima all returning. The return leg next week will determine if Rangers can advance to the Champions League group stage.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
