Maribor 0 (1) Rangers 0 (3): Steven Gerrard’s side edge one step closer to Europa League group stages after first-leg advantage
Scottish giants will face FC Ufa of Russia in the play-offs later this month
RANGERS are one step away from the Europa League group stages after beating Maribor… on aggregate.
Steven Gerrard’s men will face Russian side FC Ufa in the play-offs later this month following the 3-1 victory in the first-leg.
Both sides started slowly, but the Gers came close to breaking the deadlock after 25 minutes at the Ljudski vrt.
Connor Goldson headed an effort just over the woodwork after a free-kick was delivered into the box.
Maribor bounced back, but Allan McGregor saved the day for Gerrard’s side.
Amir Dervisevic fired a rocket at the goal, but the 36-year-old managed to parry the effort over the bar.
Rangers star Alfredo Morelos then tried his luck from distance, but the effort was easily collected by Samir Handanovic.
Maribor started the second half well and Rangers were struggling to deal with their counter attacks.
Zlatko Zahovic missed a chance to give them the lead when he got the ball trapped up in his feet in the box.
Marcos Tavares latched on to Alek Pihler’s header, but yet again McGregor came out on top.
The visitors were awarded a controversial penalty in the 90th minute.
But McGregor saved the effort with his legs to keep his clean sheet, before Gerrard raced onto the pitch to celebrate with his team after the final whistle.
