SNS GroupCyriel Dessers hit a valuable equaliser as Rangers came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Olympiacos in the Europa League.
The striker took one of several chances that fell his way to cancel out Ayoub El Kaabi’s 56th minute strike.
The draw gives Rangers seven points from four games at the halfway stage in the League Phase and keeps alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Ahead of kick-off, Rangers manager Philippe Clement had raised eyebrows with his team selection, having dropped captain James Tavernier to the bench as one of three changes.
Clement said the that the decision was down to squad rotation and Dujon Sterling was preferred to deal with pace down Olympiacos’ left flank.
Robin Propper replaced Leon Balogun while Mohamed Diomande was drafted in after Tom Lawrence was ruled out with an injury that will sideline the midfielder for up to six weeks.
Clement would have been pleased with Rangers’ start as the team got on the front foot and did their best to quiet a noisy Olympiacos support.
Dessers had an early chance when put through on goal by Nedim Bajrami, only to hit goalkeeper Konstantinos Tzolakis with his shot. The Nigerian striker, who has frustrated fans with his wastefulness in front of goal, then hit Tzolakis with another finish from close range after Vaclav Cerny picked him out.
Olympiacos were seeing their share of the ball but were struggling to create clear-cut chances, with a Gelson Martins strike from a narrow angle their most notable opportunity in the first half.
Neither side made changes at the break but Clement was first to make a switch when he replaced Sterling with Naraysho Kasanwijro rather than Tavernier.
Olympiacos had found it difficult to get star striker El Kaabi on the ball but his chance came in the 56th minute and he didn’t waste it. The Moroccan had his back to goal when Chiquinho headed the ball to him but he turned smartly and smacked a powerful shot past Jack Butland and high into the net.
SNS GroupRangers responded well and drew level just eight minutes later.
Dessers was played in by Cerny and kept his composure as Panagiotis Retsos lunged past him, then fired in a well-placed shot that Tzolakis couldn’t stop.
The visitors didn’t sit back to try and defend a point, creating the better of the opportunities after the equaliser. Bajrami forced a save from the goalkeeper and Dessers continued to threaten before being replaced by Hamza Igamane as the clock ticked down.
Tavernier and Ross McCausland were introduced to give fresh legs in the final minutes but couldn’t help Rangers to a winner. Clement and his players had to settle for a point that could be valuable when progress to the knockouts is decided.
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