Rangers have joined the likes of Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen in the draw for the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League after a famous win over Real Betis on Thursday evening.
Former Rangers striker Rory Loy described it as ‘an amazing week’ as all three Scottish sides involved in European competition won this week. It is the first time since 2002 that three Scottish teams won in the same week on the continent.
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Rangers needed to go ahead three times as they pushed Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis side into the knockout playoff round of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Abdallah Sima scored early on in the tenth minute but Betis full-back Juan Miranda cancelled that goal out within five minutes. Rangers re-took the lead shortly after via Cyriel Dessers, who backed up his goal against Dundee at the weekend but former Newcastle and Leicester striker Ayoze Perez levelled before half-time. Rangers won the game in the 78th minute as Kemar Roofe scored for Philippe Clement’s men.
Loy lavished the praise on his former side and their achievement: “Rangers have gone to Seville tonight and scored three, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have failed to win there. It is a monumental victory.”
It is Betis’ first defeat at home this season in all competitions and also the first time they have failed to qualify out of the group in the UEFA Europa League.
Rangers’ win followed Aberdeen defeating Bundesliga side and 2022 UEFA Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt by two goals to nil at Pittodrie earlier on on Thursday. Celtic managed a 2-1 win at Celtic Park against Eredivisie champions Feyenoord on Wednesday evening, too.
The Bears will learn their opposition for the next round on Monday afternoon when the draw for the knockout playoffs and Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League takes place.
