Rangers reach Champions League heaven for first time in 12 years as PSV are downed in Eindhoven
- Planet Sport writer
- 24 August 2022
Rangers forward Antonio Colak scored one of the biggest goals in the club’s recent history as the Scottish side bagged their place in the Champions League group stages.
After a 2-2 draw against the Dutch side in the first leg of the play-off at Ibrox last week, another absorbing encounter was played out in the Philips Stadium.
Colak tapped into the empty net on the hour mark for his fifth goal in six matches before the Light Blues held out for a 3-2 aggregate win - a result which secured the club a place in the group stages for the first time in 12 years.
The Croatia striker had scored twice to help loan side Malmo knock Rangers out of the Champions League qualifiers last season but he repaid his current employers and then some following his move from PAOK as his side made it to the promised land for the first time since 2010.
Rangers and Celtic will be in Thursday's Champions League draw for the first time since 2007/08.
The Rangers boss revealed a request for the kick-off to be put back after PSV fans had surrounded Rangers' team bus and delayed them getting into the ground was rebuffed.
The raucous home fans enjoyed the early stages where the Dutch side looked slick and confident.
However, Rangers steadied and, in a 13th-minute break, attacker Ryan Kent had a drive saved by keeper PSV keeper Walter Benitez.
In the 55th minute, Tom Lawrence cracked the crossbar with a thunderous 20-yard drive and Rangers came again moments later with even greater effect.
📆 August 10, 2021 - Antonio Colak scores twice for Malmo to deny Rangers a Champions League spot.
— Planet Sport (@PlanetSportcom) August 24, 2022
🔥 August 24, 2022 - Antonio Colak scores the winner as Rangers beat PSV to seal Champions League return! pic.twitter.com/LTeZYCZnpW
When Tillman robbed the dithering Andre Ramalho inside the PSV box after the defender had taken a risky pass from keeper Benitez, he had the easiest of tasks to roll the ball to Colak to knock into an empty net.
PSV roared back with increasing desperation but after a Rangers break Benitez was forced into a good save from Tillman's drive.
Rangers had to defend for their lives in the final stages and Philipp Max missed the target with a drive while McLaughlin made a brilliant save from Gakpo.
