Rangers secured a first victory over Spanish opposition since 1985 after a combination of Ben Davies and Abdallah Sima prodded home from close range to earn a battling 1-0 win over Real Betis in their Europa League opener at Ibrox.
Michael Beale’s side marked their return to the second tier UEFA competition by edging a tightly-contested match against the La Liga outfit in what turned out to be an assured display.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland had to be at his best to produce a number of outstanding saves as the visitors threatened to put a dampner on proceedings in the first-half, while the woodwork denied Tom Lawrence and Borna Barisic.
Before kick-off, both teams took part in an impeccably observed minute’s silence in memory of former Ibrox legend and Scotland Wembley hero Ronnie McKinnon following his death aged 83 last weekend.
The 2021/22 finalists improved after the break and the only goal of the match came amid a frantic scramble after veteran shot-stopper Claudio Bravo made a stunning point-blank save to deny Kemar Roofe. A game of pinball ensued before Davies lunged in just ahead of Sima to poke home and spark wild celebrations.
Here’s our post-match Rangers player ratings from Ibrox:
Unused subs: Robby McCrorie (GK), Kieran Wright (GK), John Souttar, Scott Wright, Leon King, Adam Devine, Cole McKinnon, Arron Lyall.
Goalkeeper Jack Butland had to be at his best to produce a number of outstanding saves as the visitors threatened to put a dampner on proceedings in the first-half, while the woodwork denied Tom Lawrence and Borna Barisic.
![Wasn’t involved in the game much during the first half but looked a real threat after the break. Clipped the outside of the post with a 25-yard strike before going down with a knock. Subbed as a precaution just after the hour mark.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/21/21/GettyImages-1694204947.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. Tom Lawrence - 7/10
Wasn’t involved in the game much during the first half but looked a real threat after the break. Clipped the outside of the post with a 25-yard strike before going down with a knock. Subbed as a precaution just after the hour mark. | Getty Images
![Spurned a glorious early chance after racing onto Roofe’s sublime pass but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet in a one-v-one situation. A few poor touches and sliced an effort way off target. A strong threat on the counter and had a few mazy runs.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/21/21/GettyImages-1680761206.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. Rabbi Matondo - 7/10
Spurned a glorious early chance after racing onto Roofe’s sublime pass but couldn’t get the ball out of his feet in a one-v-one situation. A few poor touches and sliced an effort way off target. A strong threat on the counter and had a few mazy runs. | AFP via Getty Images
![Kept giving the ball away and struggled to make much of an impact on the right flank. Credited with the goal by Uefa, albeit it seemed Davies got to the ball just before him. Subbed.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/21/20/newFile-1.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
11. Abdallah Sima - 6/10
Kept giving the ball away and struggled to make much of an impact on the right flank. Credited with the goal by Uefa, albeit it seemed Davies got to the ball just before him. Subbed. | Getty Images
![Sensational pass with the outside of his boot to send Matondo through inside the first 10 mins. Tried his luck from the halfway line but failed to trouble keeper. Denied a goal by a stunning point-blank save from Claudio Bravo but rebound was forced into the net. Subbed.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/09/21/21/newFile-3.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
12. Kemar Roofe - 8/10
Sensational pass with the outside of his boot to send Matondo through inside the first 10 mins. Tried his luck from the halfway line but failed to trouble keeper. Denied a goal by a stunning point-blank save from Claudio Bravo but rebound was forced into the net. Subbed. | AFP via Getty Images