Rangers’ hopes of another Champions League campaign hang in the balance after a breathless 2-2 draw with PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their play-off at Ibrox.
Abdallah Sima carved out a brilliant opener for the hosts just before the break but Ibrahim Sangare took advantage of a Ismael Saibari’s good work to level the match.
Rangers substitute Rabbi Matondo had Ibrox rocking when he slammed home from Cyriel Dessers’ ball but there was more drama to come.
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Kris Boyd could not hide his disappointment after PSV’s immediate equaliser in Rangers’ UEFA Champions League qualifier
Just four minutes later Luuk de Jong headed in from a corner to ensure the tie ended 2-2, just like a year ago.
Rangers then 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.
A thrilling night in Govan
Abdallah Sima celebrates after scoring to make it 1-0
Ibrox reverberated with noise before the game and in the breathless opening minutes the decibels increased when Todd Cantwell almost took advantage of some sloppy PSV defending before the ball broke off Nicolas Raskin and flew behind.
Moments later, Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland made a save from a Noa Lang drive as the slick-moving visitors broke with pace and purpose.
The home side were doing most of the chasing but in the 22nd minute a slip by PSV defender Olivier Boscagli allowed Sima to latch onto a Dessers header but a tame shot was easily gathered by ‘keeper Walter Benitez.
PSV wideman Johan Bakayoko had two efforts on goal, driving straight at Butland then going close with a curling drive later in the half.
However, just before the break the PSV defence again got into a tangle and when Dessers’ pass landed at Sima at the edge of the box, the on-loan Brighton player curled the ball high past Benitez to send the home fans into raptures.
The second half began with Benitez blocking a close-range effort from Tavernier as Gers fans urged their team on but PSV looked sprightly in their own attacks.
PSV’s Ibrahim Sangare celebrates with team-mates after scoring to make it 1-1
In the 58th minute, after Cantwell was booked for a cynical foul on Ismael Saibari, Butland palmed away a decent 25-yard free-kick from Veerman and again Rangers defended the corner.
But moments later, in another PSV attack that forced the Light Blues back into their own box, Bakayoko laid the ball back, Saibari dummied it and Sangare hammered the ball into the net.
Matondo replaced Sima with John Lundstram on for Jack before Cantwell was perhaps fortunate to avoid another yellow following a hefty tackle on Sergino Dest.
Matondo’s pace soon caused PSV problems and so did his finishing.
Rangers’ Rabbi Matondo celebrates after scoring to make it 2-1
A sweeping Rangers move saw Cantwell break forward and play wide to Dessers, whose brilliant pass took out the PSV defence with Matondo steering the ball past Benitez.
An ecstatic Ibrox was soon silenced once more when De Jong bulleted in a header from a Bakayoko corner.
In a frantic finale, Gers substitute Danilo saw a goal-bound shot blocked for a corner and Matondo drove just over but it ended all square and the two teams get to do it all over again next week.
Beale: PSV shouldn’t underestimate us
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Michael Beale insists Rangers will go to Eindhoven feeling confident after they drew they first leg of their play off against PSV 2-2.
Rangers boss Michael Beale:
“We need to get into it with the league game [against Ross County] this weekend then we’ll go there and it’s a straight shoot out.
“I thought the front three worked really hard, Cyriel Dessers, that’s his best performance for Rangers so far. I was delighted for Abdallah Sima with the goal.
“There were moments I wanted us to keep the ball more but you have to understand the magnitude of the game.
“They’re an extremely talented side going forward, you can see that, so defensively strong.
“Next week they’ll have to come for us because it’s in their stadium and we’ll get different spaces.
“We’re going to need players in big spaces who can run in behind and that’s what the two goalscorers tonight give us.
“I don’t think they’ll underestimate us, but they better not. This is a PSV team who haven’t been beaten since February and we nearly did tonight.”
Bosz: No surprises at Ibrox
PSV manager Peter Bosz was unhappy with some of his side’s defending
PSV Eindhoven manager Peter Bosz:
“This is what we expected. I thought we’d be dominant here and they can play counter well and really fast.
“The energy in the team when the crowd is there behind them then the atmosphere was there
“On the other end, I think we played well, a good position game and it goes down a bit. So more or less what I expected.
“I’m glad we don’t have a game this weekend so we can prepare for next week.”
When quizzed about what he needs his team to do for the return leg, Bosz replied: “Score more goals and don’t concede the goals we conceded today. Football is easy.”
Boyd: Rangers will be a threat
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Boyd gives his thoughts as Rangers’ UEFA Champions League qualifier against PSV ends 2-2 at Ibrox
Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd:
“Overall PSV were the better team in terms of possession but Rangers looked a threat on the counter-attack.
“PSV going forward are a good team, but defensively they’re weak and Rangers can get at them. They’ve shown that tonight and they’ll be looking to do the exact same in Eindhoven next week.
“There’s no doubt PSV will be favourites to go through the tie but they were at this stage last season as well.
“Rangers will have to soak up a lot of pressure but, on the counter-attack, they look dangerous.”
What’s next?
Saturday 26th August 12:00pm
Kick off 12:30pm
Rangers are away to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 12.30pm.
They will travel to the Netherlands for the second leg of their play-off against PSV on Wednesday August 30. That match will kick off at 8pm.