Nicolas Raskin and Vaclav Cerny score as Rangers claim crucial 2-1 win to reach European League last 16

Rangers sealed their place in the Europa League last 16 after a tense 2-1 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise at Ibrox, securing a top-eight finish in the group stage and avoiding the play-off round.

Philippe Clement’s side knew that qualification was not entirely in their hands—they needed other results to go their way—but they ensured they did their part by claiming all three points in Glasgow.

The night started with early adversity as Leon King was forced off with an injury, adding to Rangers’ defensive concerns. However, they responded emphatically, with Nicolas Raskin heading in a pinpoint James Tavernier cross to give the hosts the lead in the opening 10 minutes.

Union SG thought they had an equaliser when Franjo Ivanovic poked the ball home, but VAR ruled him marginally offside. A similar fate befell Cyriel Dessers just before half-time, as his goal was chalked off after the assistant’s flag went up.

The second half saw Rangers under pressure early on, but they responded with a devastating counter-attack. Dessers squared the ball to Wolfsburg loanee Vaclav Cerny, who calmly slotted home in the 55th minute to double the lead. The Czech forward nearly added another moments later, but his powerful strike rattled the post.

As news filtered through that Nice had equalised against Bodo-Glimt—helping Rangers climb into the top eight—the hosts faced a nervy finale. Union SG pulled one back in the 83rd minute through Kevin Mac Allister, who looped a header over Jack Butland. VAR took another look, but this time the goal stood.

With relentless pressure from the Belgian side in the dying moments, Rangers dug deep and held on to secure eighth place on goal difference, avoiding the play-off round. Union SG, who entered the match level on points with Rangers, finished 21st and now faces an unseeded spot in Friday’s Europa League play-off draw.

Clement hailed his squad’s resilience, calling the achievement “massive” given the calibre of clubs behind them. “We had to be creative over the last few months, but everyone dug in and did the job brilliantly,” he said.

Rangers will now turn their focus to the knockout rounds, with hopes of making a deep run in the competition.