GLASGOW, Scotland — Rangers don enter the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao with one fresh hope despite five straight home losses prior to this match. Diem wey dem play for Ibrox on Thursday, Ramos meet fourth-placed La Liga team wey get their own superstar, Nico Williams, for de wing.
Before the match, many supporters dey fear for the fragile Rangers defense, especially as dem dey miss John Souttar wey dey suspended. Trouble compound as Robin Propper receive red card for just 13 minutes into the game. But against all odds, Rangers put up a solid defensive performance and dem keeper, Liam Kelly, wey stand for Jack Butland, shine like star.
Rangers go travel go Spain next week go face the Basque team again, and dem get chance to progress to the semi-finals. Athletic Bilbao gats reason their last three games wey dem end as goalless draws, but how Rangers take perform well dis time?
Barry Ferguson, the interim coach, don vex well after dem lose 2-0 to Hibernian just a few days before this game. He change six players from that match, including the goalkeeper, saying swapping keepers be one of the toughest decisions e don ever make. Kelly, wey dey make only him eighth appearance since coming back from Motherwell, show say him fit save penalty and make smart saves during the game.
“Before the game, the whole talk dey around Liam Kelly. He don make himself proud,” na wetin former Rangers striker, Steven Thompson, yarn during Sportsound. “He be leader wey handle the pressure well, and him performance no dey just about the penalty save but everything wey e do on top field,” e talk.
Former Scotland striker, Steven Naismith, added, “Kelly na Rangers’ number one now.” Na di back four wey they struggle against Hibs, allow two or more goals in six league games straight for di first time since 1894. Dis mean say Rangers dey leak goals too much and dey always face heavy resistance.
Even with Propper’s red card, Naismith talk say the early shock fit don help change di match dynamic. “Na so e be, everybody rally round each other. Dem play 4-4-1 shape, and everybody show good performance,” e said.
Rangers start with a back three but quickly need change am to a back four, and everybody don dey settled better than before. James Tavernier, as di right back, face the big task to mark Nico Williams, and him performance don earn plenty praise.
“Even with all di bad rap wey him dey get lately for his defending, him do well against Fenerbahce and Bilbao, making Williams no look like him worth 75 million pounds,” Andy Halliday talk about Tavernier.
Dem manage to keep up di pressure even with nine men on di pitch at di final minutes after Sterling injury. Rangers make 39 clearances and 20 tackles to show discipline. “Na di kind Rangers performance wey I dey always desire,” Ferguson emphasize after di match.
Youngsters, Nico Raskin and Bailey Rice, wey be just 18 years old, don shine too for midfield. Balogun and Sterling dey on guard for Sannadi threats while Hagi and Cerny dey track back dey help cover. Up front, Dessers dey fight for free-kicks and pick up scraps.
Kelly reflect on di team performance, say, “I no get too much to do for di game. Once we go down to 10 men, di guys in front don dey really brilliant.” E add say na team spirit dey guide dem, and dem need to find this kind of energy again for di upcoming Bilbao match.
