Rangers defied the odds to hold Athletic Bilbao to a hard-fought 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final at Ibrox. Despite being reduced to 10 men early in the game and facing relentless pressure from the Spanish side, Rangers managed to stay resolute, with goalkeeper Liam Kelly emerging as the hero after saving a late penalty in the 79th minute. This gritty performance has kept Rangers’ hopes alive heading into the second leg in Spain next Thursday, and manager Barry Ferguson will take heart from his team’s tenacity and determination.
A Rocky Start for Rangers – Early Red Card for Propper
The match got off to a disastrous start for Rangers when defender Robin Propper was shown a red card in the 13th minute for a reckless challenge on Inaki Williams. Initially awarded a yellow card, referee Istvan Kovacs upgraded the decision to a red after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor, leaving Rangers down to 10 men early on.
This early setback made Rangers’ task significantly harder, with the team now forced to defend for much of the match against a dominant Athletic Bilbao side. Propper’s departure put added pressure on the already depleted defensive line, which was further exacerbated by the suspension of key players John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande.
Ferguson’s Tactical Changes and Resilience
After a demoralizing weekend defeat to Hibernian, Ferguson made several significant changes to his starting lineup. Dropping under-fire goalkeeper Jack Butland in favor of Liam Kelly proved to be a key decision, as Kelly would go on to make several important saves throughout the match, including the penalty stop. Ferguson also made changes in defense and midfield, with Propper coming in for a start and Leon Balogun, Ridvan Yilmaz, and young midfielder Bailey Rice making up the numbers.
Although the team was missing some key players, Rangers’ resilience in the face of adversity was evident. Ferguson’s side managed to absorb pressure from Bilbao’s attack, which included wingers Nico and Inaki Williams, while also keeping the Spanish side from converting their chances.
Bilbao’s Pressure and Rangers’ Defensive Heroics
Athletic Bilbao piled on the pressure from the outset, with Inaki Williams proving to be a constant threat. Despite being down a man, Rangers’ defense held firm, with goalkeeper Liam Kelly producing several key saves. Kelly stopped shots from Maroan Sannadi and Oihan Sancet, with the latter also seeing an attempt go high over the bar. As Bilbao’s attackers grew frustrated, their efforts began to lack precision, with Sannadi’s dive in the box earning him a yellow card for simulation.
Despite the constant pressure, Rangers managed to stifle Bilbao’s attempts to break the deadlock in the first half. Just before the break, Cyriel Dessers had a header go over the bar in a rare offensive chance for the hosts.
Penalty Drama – Kelly’s Heroics
As the second half unfolded, the pressure mounted even more for Rangers. Bilbao came close on multiple occasions, with Sancet missing a golden opportunity from six yards out. But the most dramatic moment came in the 79th minute when Gorka Guruzeta’s shot was saved by Kelly, only for the rebound to fall kindly to substitute Alex Berenguer, who slotted it in. However, after a VAR review, referee Kovacs ruled the goal out for offside and instead awarded a penalty for a handball by Dujon Sterling.
The penalty decision had the Ibrox crowd in turmoil, but Liam Kelly once again rose to the occasion. Berenguer’s spot-kick was well struck, but Kelly managed to get a leg to it, sending the ball over the bar and securing a vital moment of redemption for Rangers. The relief inside the stadium was palpable, and Kelly’s heroics allowed Rangers to hold on to a 0-0 draw, despite their numerical disadvantage.
Rangers’ Final Push and Injury Concerns
The final stages of the match saw Rangers dig deep into their reserves to fend off an increasingly desperate Bilbao attack. With all substitutions already made, Rangers were left with just nine men on the pitch in added time when Dujon Sterling had to be helped off with an injury. Yet, the team’s resolve and unity ensured they held on, with Ferguson’s tactical discipline shining through in the dying moments.
Despite being down to just nine men, Rangers continued to fight for every ball and defended with everything they had. The added time saw Bilbao push forward with even greater urgency, but they couldn’t break through Rangers’ defense. The final whistle blew with the score still level at 0-0, leaving both teams with everything to play for in the second leg in Spain.
What’s Next for Rangers?
Rangers’ 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the first leg has kept their Europa League hopes alive, though the tie is still on a knife’s edge. The team showed immense character and resilience, particularly after the early red card and the penalty drama late in the match.
While they will regret not taking a lead to Spain, Rangers will be encouraged by their performance and will take confidence into the second leg. Ferguson’s side must find a way to be more clinical in front of goal and continue to show the same defensive determination that allowed them to hold Bilbao at bay despite their numerical disadvantage.
The second leg promises to be an intense battle in Spain, and Rangers will need another heroic performance from player like Liam Kelly to progress to the semi-finals.
A Fightback Full of Heart from Rangers
Rangers’ 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao in their Europa League quarter-final first leg was a testament to their resilience, especially after going down to 10 men early in the match.
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Liam Kelly’s penalty save was a moment of brilliance, and despite numerous missed opportunities, the team’s determination will give them hope for the return leg. With everything to play for in Spain, Rangers will need to dig deep once more if they are to keep their European dreams alive.
