Rangers in command after demolition of Red Star

Rangers put themselves firmly in the driving seat of their Europa League last-16 tie against Red Star Belgrade following an incident-packed 3-0 win at Ibrox. Gers skipper James Tavernier slotted home a VAR-awarded penalty in the 11th minute of a remarkable first half and striker Alfredo Morelos doubled the lead with a driven shot four minutes later before Light Blues goalkeeper Allan McGregor brilliantly saved an Aleksandar Katai penalty. Katai had put the ball in the net twice in the first half, only to be thwarted by the offside flag, but he and his team-mates were again left shaking their heads in the 51st minute when defender Leon Balogun, back in for Borna Barisic, powered in a header from a Tavernier corner. The Scottish champions continued to ride a second-half rollercoaster to the final whistle and can now look forward to the second leg next week at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, where the possibility of an appearance in the last eight of a European competition for the first time in 14 years beckons.

Full Match Details

The Serbians, however, will feel sure they must enjoy better fortunes than they endured on a remarkable night in Glasgow. Ibrox could hardly have witnessed a more exhilarating first half to a European tie. The match began with, among other things, two early Gers goals, one from a controversial penalty, as well as a home penalty save. Red Star midfielder Katai had the ball in the Rangers net from the edge of the area in the third minute but the offside flag was up. A VAR check five by Dutch referee Serdar Gozubuyuk five minutes later puzzled most of the stadium, but there was a huge cheer from the Gers supporters when he pointed to the spot, judging Slavoljub Srnic to have clipped Ryan Kent as he drove