A REMARKABLE RESULT

A game that could so easily have been lost, a tie that should have been over is somehow in Rangers’ control. Two goals from Ianis Hagi and one from Joe Aribo turned this 90 minutes and this last 32 clash on its head.

Any scoreline that ended with a 0 beside Braga would have been a positive one for Rangers. That ambition lasted just ten minutes, though.

The stunning strike from Fransergio briefly silenced and stunned Ibrox and Gerrard was fortunate his side weren’t further behind before the interval. Braga arrived here as the form side in Portugal and certainly showed why.

There were reasons for Rangers to be encouraged going forward, but Braga were classy on the ball and looked dangerous every time they ventured into the final third. There was a let-off when Fransergio hit the bar but when Abel Ruiz made it 2-0 on the hour it was another careless goal for Rangers to lose.

When Gerrard needed it, Hagi and then Aribo produced moments of individual brilliance that will live long in the memory. From nowhere, Rangers were level and Ibrox was bouncing.

When Hagi scored his second the roar around the place was as loud as it has been for quite some time. This tie is very much on.

RANGERS RALLIED AFTER BEING OUTCLASSED

The absence of Ryan Jack through suspension was always going to be sorely felt by Rangers. It didn’t take long for that reality to really show, however.

Braga dominated the middle of the park in the first half as Scott Arfield and Steven Davis found the going tough. Glen Kamara was miles off the pace as he struggled badly.

Kamara and Arfield were both culpable in the build-up to the opener before Fransergio beat McGregor with a stunning strike from long range to give the visitors the lead.

Rangers were able to find plenty of space in behind the high Braga defensive line but they had no control in midfield. Passes were rushed and misplaced as promising moves broke down too easily.

Kamara was replaced by Aribo eight minutes into the second half. He could consider himself somewhat fortunate to have lasted that long.

Aribo found himself playing at left-back after Borna Barisic was forced off through injury but ventured forward to score a sublime individual effort. In terms of moments, it was the best of his Gers career by some way.

Rangers were now in the ascendancy and would finish in storming fashion. Few inside Ibrox would have believed it possible on a truly mesmerising evening.

ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS FOR MORELOS

The Europa League has brought out the best in Rangers’ main man this term and Morelos went into this week top of the scoring charts after a superb group stage.

He had two chances to add to that tally in the first half but both were squandered as Matheus saved well. Morelos had joy getting in behind Braga, but efforts from the right side and then the left were straight at the keeper.

After the break, Morelos somehow failed to score from a couple of yards out after good work from Hagi down the right. It was one of those nights for the striker as others came to Rangers’ rescue.

VAR DIDN’T PLAY A PART

Gerrard was asked extensively about the use of VAR at his media conference on Wednesday and the system was in action for the first time at Ibrox. It didn’t provide any talking points, though.

Referee Xavier Estrada Fernandez upset the home crowd with a handful of bizarre decisions in the first half but he chose not to check with VAR when Ianis Hagi went down under pressure from keeper Matheus early on.

Fernandez was picky with his decision making and the booking he handed Morelos, the Colombian showing his fury after a soft foul was given against him, ruled him out of the return leg.

PITCH WAS FAR FROM PERFECT

Rangers requested that Braga didn’t train at Ibrox on Wednesday evening in an attempt to protect the surface that has been the top of such debate in recent days.

The Portuguese used the Hummel Training Centre instead and wouldn’t have been impressed with what they found when they arrived here 90 minutes or so before kick-off.

The park wasn’t up to standard and wasn’t exactly befitting of the occasion under the floodlights as the home crowd made their presence felt.

The surface didn’t impact on Braga and they weren’t intimidated by the surroundings. They were still able to move the ball with precision and speed.

Rangers are not back in action here until March 4 when Hamilton visit and Gerrard will hope there is an improvement in the park by then.