Rangers triumph to secure Europa League last 16 spot
- Rangers achieved a 2-1 victory against Union Saint-Gilloise, securing their spot in the Europa League's top eight.
- The victory was crucial as Rangers needed to win while relying on other results to avoid a playoff.
- This match marks a significant achievement for the team, allowing them direct qualification to the tournament's last 16.
In their final league-phase match, Rangers, a Scottish Premiership team, faced Union Saint-Gilloise from Belgium. The game took place in January 2025, where Rangers needed to win to secure a place in the top eight of the UEFA Europa League. They managed to take an early lead with a goal from Nicolas Raskin, and further solidified their advantage with another strike by Vaclav Cerny in the second half. Despite Union Saint-Gilloise pulling one back late in the game through Kevin Mac Allister, Rangers held on to complete the match 2-1 in their favor. The stakes were high for Rangers as heading into this crucial fixture, they required an outright victory, alongside favorable results from other matches, to avoid a playoff round. Their performance not only solidified their position in the last 16 but also reflected the team's resilience under pressure. Philippe Clement, the team's manager, acknowledged the significance of their accomplishment, highlighting that they had faced and performed well against four of the seven other teams they were competing against in that top eight. The qualification also emphasized the team's growth and preparation for European competition. Clement shared that their success was the result of a collective effort among the squad and credited their determination in trying conditions. Although they found themselves anxiously waiting for confirmation of other results, the news of Nice equalizing against Bodo-Glimt ultimately came through, ensuring Rangers secured their eighth place position on goal difference, and thus a direct qualification for the knockout phase. Union Saint-Gilloise, on the other hand, was left in a precarious situation, finishing in 21st place. Their outcome highlighted a stark contrast, as they were unseeded for the upcoming Europa League playoff draw, which directly resulted from their inability to leverage their chances during the match. The end of this league phase saw Rangers not only defy expectations but also reinforced the trust fans and management placed in their abilities to compete at a high level in Europe.