Rangers play host to Premier League opposition this evening when they take on Tottenham in the Europa League former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou returning to Ibrox.
Following a 4-1 win at Nice in their last European outing, Rangers are in a strong position. They sit eighth in the table with 10 points and can move within three points of current leaders Athletic Club if they defeat Spurs tonight.
Tottenham have only won one game from their last seven and back-to-back Premier League defeats has increased the pressure on Postecoglou have has faced calls from fans to be sacked. A trip to Glasgow may be the catalyst to reignite his team’s form however as the manager has a solid record against Rangers winning six of his 11 Old Firm derbies when in charge of Celtic.
Spurs are one place below Rangers in the Europa League following a 2-2 draw at home to Roma last time out but will want to leapfrog their rivals tonight.
Follow all the Europa League action with our live blog below:
CLOSE! Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 26 mins
Jefte involved again, at the other end this time! He fizzes a stunning ball across the face of goal that is just begging for a touch in at the back post but Bajrami is millimetres away from getting there. Forster would have been beaten.
It looked like Bajrami could get there if he’d thrown himself at the ball but didn’t. Why not?! Diomande then takes fly from distance but shoots well over.
Phew – this game is a breathless one so far! Unbelievably open – typical Spurs, I suppose
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:29
Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 24 mins
It’s Spurs’s turn to counter as Jefte gives the ball away with a loose pass and they come down the left before Son lofts a crossfield pass towards Johnson in the box. Somehow Jefte gets back and gets a toe to th eball to nip it away from the Welshman – good recovery.
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:27
Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 24 mins
Lovely move from Rangers down the right, Cerny feeds Bajrami and his cutback trying to return the favour is juuuust cut out by Bentancur. Rangers come again down the left and Jefte thumps a shot at goal but it’s blocked and out for a corner, which Spurs defend well.
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:25
Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 21 mins
Diomande inexplicably slaps at a deflected ball with his hand and gets a deserved booking. That means he’ll miss the Manchester United match next time out – poor decision-making in the moment.
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:22
Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 19 mins
Spurs starting to turn the screw as they set up camp in the Rangers half, probing for an opening.
Tavernier does well to cut out a ball through from Porro before Rangers try to counter but Ridvan makes the wrong choice trying to slip a reverse pass to Cerny, rather than picking out Igamane.
Gers definitely look dangerous when they win the ball back and attack at pace
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:21
Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 15 mins
Spurs appear to have weathered the initial Rangers storm, which was fairly strong. Now they come forward themselves after Raskin has his pocket picked by Bissouma and Maddison has a shot from 20 yards, fairly central. It’s deflected over the top for a corner.
Propper then heads Maddison’s corner clear.
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:18
SAVE! Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 10 mins
That’s a decent stop by Fraser Forster in the end. Rangers swiftly counter as Udogie is caught upfield and a lovely reverse pass frees Bajrami behind Dragusin and he lashes a shot at goal that Forster tips over.
A slighly flappy punch from Forster at the subsequent corner but Ridvan’s effort from outside hte box is high, wide and not so handsome. Rangers have been on top so far
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:13
Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 9 mins
A spring in the Rangers step early on, as you might expect in front of their own fans. Dragusin again tested as he’s forced to stretch to clear. Spurs could really do with getting their foot on the ball and having a sustained spell of possession.
They do create a chance for Werner as the ball breaks to him on the left side of the box but his curled effort is well over the bar. Sadly, Werner’s shooting boots deserted him long ago – there wasn’t much conviction in that shot.
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:11
Rangers 0-0 Tottenham, 6 mins
More encouragement for Rangers down the left as Butland’s long ball over the top gives Igamane something to chase and he gets ahead of the Spurs defence before Dragusin scrambles back to block his shot. Turns out Igamane was marginally offside but still a warning sign for the English side.
This second-string Tottenham defence will be tested tonight for sure.
Luke Baker12 December 2024 20:08