Ryan Kent goal key as Rangers reach Europa League quarter-finals despite loss at Red Star Belgrade

Ryan Kent's goal punctured Red Star Belgrade's comeback hopes as Rangers reached the Europa League quarter-finals despite a 2-1 defeat in Serbia.

Red Star made inroads on Rangers' three-goal first-leg lead when Mirko Ivanic netted in the 10th minute and Allan McGregor made several excellent stops for the visitors.

However, Kent broke through to level the score on the night in the 56th minute in what proved the key moment of the second leg.

Rangers looked to be seeing the game out comfortably when Ben Nabouhane netted a stoppage-time penalty but it was too little, too late for the hosts as Gers won 4-2 on aggregate.

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Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, whose side could face the likes of Barcelona, Braga and Atalanta in the last eight, went with the same starting line-up that won 3-0 at Ibrox seven days earlier, suggesting he saw scope for more goals.

The Serbian champions also went into the game with the knowledge that they could cause Rangers problems after having three goals disallowed for close offside decisions in Glasgow as well as hitting the bar and having a penalty saved by McGregor.

Alfredo Morelos had an ambitious effort saved for Rangers before Red Star got the early goal they craved. The hosts worked a two-against-one from a short corner and the resulting cross bounced in the Rangers box before Ivanic had time to chest down and fire home.

The goalscorer soon had another good chance after Red Star cut through the heart of the Gers defence but McGregor made an excellent stop.

McGregor saved Ohi Omoijuanfo's header before Morelos was inches wide from a difficult chance. Gers soon had a let-off midway through the half after Leon Balogun and Calvin Bassey got in each other's way from a long ball.