PSV were rumbled from their slumber by the crack of fireworks outside their hotel. But it’s Rangers now wide awake to the possibility awaiting them in Eindhoven after coming through a first-leg clash that sparkled from start to finish with still all to play for.
It’s not the win they were hoping for but, make no mistake, Gio van Bronckhorst’s team remain firmly in the fight for a Champions League return after 12 long years.
The Union Bears were hoping to light the fuse for another night of explosive high drama at Ibrox, setting off a barrage of pyrotechnics outside the Clydeside hotel being used by Ruud van Nistelrooy and his team in the wee small hours.
Yet it was the Dutch outfit that ignited first as Ibrahim Sangare put the Eredivisie giants in front. But 12 months on from blowing apart Gers’ group-stage hopes, Antonio Colak fired his fourth goal in four games to draw the hosts level.
It was another night in which the Croatian – ludicrously labelled a waste of space by Mark Hateley – rammed his critics words down their throats.
Colak was lucky to get away with an off-the-ball swipe at PSV’s Andre Ramalho – just as fortunate as Tom Lawrence was to see a harmless-looking free-kick spilled over the line by calamity keeper Walter Benitez.
Rangers’ providence ran out when Armando Obispo headed home the equaliser with 12 minutes left but they have every right now to believe they can go to Eindhoven next Wednesday and finish off the job.
A night like this called for experience and calm so it was no surprise van Bronckhorst opted to utilise Steven Davis’ 37 years worth of midfield wisdom for part one of this crucial final eliminator as he returned alongside Ryan Kent, Lawrence and James Sands.
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