James Tavernier celebrates his 16th European goal for RangersRangers roared into the Champions League play-offs after they overcame Union Saint-Gilloise and a two-goal first-leg defeat in a rousing showing.
The hosts had it all to do after losing in Belgium, but goals from James Tavernier, Antonio Colak and Malik Tillman gave Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side a spirited victory at Ibrox.
While blunt in the first leg, Rangers were by far the better team in Glasgow against a Union side who had Lazare Amani sent off late on.
Tavernier's penalty and Colak's close-range header set up a tense finale, before Tillman's fantastic 79th-minute header put Rangers ahead in the tie for the very first time during a strong second half.
They will now face PSV Eindhoven in the play-offs as they bid to return to the group stage for the first time since 2010.
It is the first time Rangers have ever overcome a 2-0 first-leg deficit to progress in Europe.
The hosts started well, as they did in Belgium seven days ago. The Ibrox atmosphere, which Rangers have come to rely upon on such nights, seemed to have shaken the opposition. That is no slight on Union - many bigger European teams have also wilted under that pressure.
Colak headed just over early on before he had another effort tipped above the bar by Anthony Moris. Set-pieces were Rangers' strength in the first half, but they were unable to unlock a stubborn Union defence in open play.
That was until Siebe van der Heyden stretched an arm to block a looping cross in the box, and Tavernier did what Tavernier does - slotting from the spot on the stroke of half-time. His 16th goal in European competition for Rangers, and one that was timed to perfection.
The second just before the hour brought Ibrox to its feet in a scene of hysteria. Getting on the end of a Tillman flick, Tavernier ghosted in behind to square. The ball fell to Scott Arfield who produced a fantastic save from Moris, but Colak showed predatory instincts to nod in from a yard out and level the tie.
From there, it felt inevitable that Rangers would find a third. John Lundstram went close when Tom Lawrence teed him up, but Moris produced a flying save to deny the midfielder.
There was a moment of doubt when James Sands appeared to be heading down the tunnel early after clearing a poor pass from John McLaughlin - but referee Tasos Sidiropoulos changed his mind after consulting the far side assistant.
That was the kick Rangers needed and soon they would be ahead. Borna Barisic's hanging cross looked destined for Moris' arms, but Tillman produced an acrobatic leap to steal in front of the keeper and nod into an empty net.
Union midfielder Amani was then sent off in the dying seconds as the game raged frantically, with Rangers advancing after a breath-taking two legs.
Man of the Match - Malik Tillman
Superb throughout the night, the American looks to be the jewel of Van Bronckhorst's summer signings.Rangers rely on Ibrox atmosphere to grind down Union's will
Even trailing by two goals, plenty of Rangers fans headed to Ibrox confident of a result. They had witnessed enough European evening evidence in the last year to calm their nerves.
Proved right, there were still moments throughout the night that would have tested their resolve. Union, as they did in the first leg, waited to pounce but their attacking potency had almost evaporated.
So instead of a disaster, this will be remembered as a scare. But their next opponents in PSV will not be as forgiving. However, with Ibrox able to rouse such spirited performances from this Rangers team, the club's supporters will be dreaming of another memorable season in Europe.
What's next?
Rangers host St Johnstone on Saturday (15:00 BST) as they look to maintain their 100% record in the league so far.
Player of the match
LawrenceTom Lawrence
Rangers
Squad number11Player nameLawrence
Squad number71Player nameTillman
Squad number2Player nameTavernier
Squad number9Player nameColak
Squad number4Player nameLundstram
Squad number14Player nameKent
Squad number31Player nameBarisic
Squad number33Player nameMcLaughlin
Squad number37Player nameArfield
Squad number6Player nameGoldson
Squad number20Player nameMorelos
Squad number17Player nameMatondo
Squad number19Player nameSands
Squad number26Player nameDavies
Squad number18Player nameKamara
Union Saint-Gilloise
Squad number49Player nameMoris
Squad number26Player nameSykes
Squad number16Player nameBurgess
Squad number11Player nameAdingra
Squad number19Player nameFrançois
Squad number13Player nameVanzeir
Squad number2Player nameNieuwkoop
Squad number23Player namePuertas
Squad number94Player nameLapoussin
Squad number9Player nameEckert
Squad number44Player nameVan der Heyden
Squad number20Player nameLynen
Squad number17Player nameTeuma
Squad number8Player nameAmani
Line-ups
Rangers
Formation 4-3-3
33McLaughlin
2Tavernier6Goldson19Sands31Barisic
11Lawrence4Lundstram37Arfield
71Tillman9Colak14Kent
33McLaughlin2Tavernier6Goldson19SandsBooked at 38minsSubstituted forDaviesat 79'minutes31BarisicBooked at 90mins11LawrenceBooked at 75minsSubstituted forKamaraat 87'minutes4Lundstram37ArfieldSubstituted forMatondoat 64'minutes71TillmanBooked at 41mins9ColakBooked at 45minsSubstituted forMorelosat 79'minutes14KentSubstitutes
1McGregor3Yilmaz8Jack10Davis17Matondo18Kamara20Morelos23Wright26Davies28McCrorie30Sakala38KingUnion Saint-Gilloise
Formation 3-5-2
49Moris
26Sykes16Burgess44Van der Heyden
2Nieuwkoop17Teuma8Amani20Lynen94Lapoussin
11Adingra13Vanzeir
49MorisBooked at 45mins26SykesBooked at 40minsSubstituted forEckertat 83'minutes16Burgess44Van der Heyden2NieuwkoopSubstituted forFrançoisat 77'minutes17Teuma8AmaniBooked at 90mins20LynenSubstituted forPuertasat 87'minutes94LapoussinBooked at 90mins11AdingraBooked at 55mins13VanzeirSubstitutes
3Boone6El Azzouzi9Eckert14Imbrechts19François21Pirard23Puertas24Ziani35Huygevelde59Kandouss85DonyReferee:Anastasios SidiropoulosLive Text
Match ends, Rangers 3, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.
Second Half ends, Rangers 3, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.
Loïc Lapoussin (Union Saint-Gilloise) is shown the yellow card.
Second yellow card to Lazare Amani (Union Saint-Gilloise).
Borna Barisic (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Rangers. Glen Kamara replaces Tom Lawrence.
Substitution, Union Saint-Gilloise. Cameron Puertas replaces Senne Lynen.
Substitution, Union Saint-Gilloise. Dennis Eckert replaces Ross Sykes.
Substitution, Rangers. Alfredo Morelos replaces Antonio-Mirko Colak.
Substitution, Rangers. Ben Davies replaces James Sands.
Goal! Rangers 3, Union Saint-Gilloise 0. Malik Tillman (Rangers) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Borna Barisic.
Substitution, Union Saint-Gilloise. Guillaume François replaces Bart Nieuwkoop.
Tom Lawrence (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
Lazare Amani (Union Saint-Gilloise) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Rangers. Rabbi Matondo replaces Scott Arfield.
Goal! Rangers 2, Union Saint-Gilloise 0. Antonio-Mirko Colak (Rangers) header from the centre of the box to the high centre of the goal.
Simon Adingra (Union Saint-Gilloise) is shown the yellow card.
Second Half begins Rangers 1, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.
First Half ends, Rangers 1, Union Saint-Gilloise 0.
Antonio-Mirko Colak (Rangers) is shown the yellow card.
