Alashkert 0 Rangers 0 (0-1 agg): Gers qualify for Europa League despite boss Steven Gerrard not travelling to clash
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RANGERS are through to the group stages of the Europa League for a fourth successive season.
But it was far from an easy task away in Armenia.
But the Light Blues can count their 0-0 stalemate away to Alashkert, temporarily interrupted in hilarious circumstances on the BBC, as job done with their first-leg winner from Alfredo Morelos enough to win the tie.
The Ibrox side were without a number of key players including Ryan Kent, James Tavernier and Scott Wright due to a coronavirus outbreak at the club.
Allan McGregor and Jon McLaughlin were two other players not with the squad in Yerevan.
Manager Steven Gerrard was also forced to stay at home as Gary McAllister and Michael Beale took charge of the side.
So in difficult circumstances, on top of the sweltering 36°C heat, Rangers can be delighted with their progression after a largely forgettable play-off tie.
Much like the first leg, the Scottish Premiership team were in total control of the game during the first period.
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Apart from an early scare when Alashkert broke quickly and Filip Helander had to make up ground to deliver a sliding clearance inside his own penalty box, the home side offered very little at all.
Just 11 minutes into the game, Scott Arfield slipped in Alfredo Morelos and the Colombian should have made it 1-0.
Ianis Hagi showed his frustration with a 30-yard drive, but the midfielder's strike was easy for goalkeeper Ognjen Cancarevic.
Joe Aribo then forced the Alashkert goalie into a terrific save down low to his right, as the Nigerian international's shot was palmed onto the post.
Morelos was then played through clean on goal again - and there was no excuse for not scoring.
The striker appeared to dally on the ball, allowing the keeper to come out and close him down, with the 24-year-old hitting his tame shot straight at him.
And as Rangers' dominance continued to put pressure on Alashkert, the home outfit had a man sent off for a dangerous tackle on debutant goalkeeper Robby McCrorie.
Just before half-time, James Santos was handed his second yellow card within three minutes to receive his marching orders.
Having been booked after a foul on Joe Aribo, the attacker then clipped the head of diving keeper McCrorie as they both went for the ball.
And while he protested to the referee, he could have no complaints.
Before the break, Connor Goldson made use of the additional space on the pitch as a result of the red card - but his 30-yard pile driver sailed just over the bar.
Into the second-half and the Gers did not start brightly at all with the home side giving it their all to try and get back into the tie.
On 48 minutes, Vincent Bezecourt found Aleksandar Glisic lurking at the back-post having evaded the attentions of Borna Barisic.
But the striker got under the ball and his header looped well over from five yards out in a huge left off for Barisic in particular.
A dangerous ball was then whipped right into the mix for striker Jose Embalo - but he was inches away from getting a clean connection to try and trouble McCrorie.
He did sting the palms of the Light Blues goalie a couple of minutes later with a zipped shot from around 25-yards out.
The ten men of Alashkert were certainly the most dangerous looking team at this point in the tie.
But the Scottish champions managed to compose themselves and regained control of possession and territory.
Cedric Itten was subbed on for Ianis Hagi. And the Swiss player had an almost instant impact with a near-post shot just wide of the target.
But on 71 minutes, Morelos missed a THIRD guilt-edged chance for Rangers.
Nathan Patterson's fine ball into the box met the Colombian ten-yards out but his volley was wild and never troubling the goalkeeper.
Joe Aribo struck the bar with a deflected effort in the final act of the tie, as the ref brought the tightly contested match to an end after five-minutes of added time.
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The Europa League draw takes place at 11am on Friday morning.
Rangers can look forward to entering the draw for European football's second competition yet again.
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