Rangers finally off the mark in Europe as Danny Rohl’s winning run continues

Mohamed Diomande’s first-half strike gave Rangers their first Europa League win of the season as they beat Ludogorets 1-0 at Ibrox.

Danny Rohl has rejuvenated the Gers on the domestic scene since taking over from Russell Martin in October but they went into the penultimate league phase fixture with just one point from 18 and effectively out of the competition.

However, on a wet and windy Govan night, midfielder Diomande put the home side into the lead in the 33rd minute and it proved to be decisive in a mostly controlled performance.

Rangers face Porto in their final Europa League fixture in Portugal next week but first resume their William Hill Premiership title push at home to Dundee on Sunday.

The Light Blues are behind second-placed Celtic on goal difference and six points adrift of leaders Hearts, who host the Hoops on Sunday.

On the face of it, this match appeared to be a dead rubber from Rangers’ point of view but Rohl, with six wins in a row in all competitions, was looking for continued momentum as well as co-efficient points which may prove crucial if Rangers win the title and qualify for the Champions League.

Thus, a strong Gers side were sent out to find their first league phase win this season, albeit the bench was light and the match lacked a big European tie atmosphere.

Striker Youssef Chermiti had a terrific chance in the ninth minute when a clever through ball from Thelo Aasgaard set him free but he shot straight at goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann and the Light Blues failed to capitalise on the loose ball.

Ludogorets posed little threat but in the 29th minute a slick move cut open the Gers defence and Gers keeper Jack Butland had to make a crucial save from Petar Stanic’s drive, the big striker firing a shot from 25 yards just past the post moments later.

However, following a short corner with Aasgaard and Jayden Meghoma on the left, a clutch of players fought for possession inside the visitors’ box and when Aasgaard slipped the ball to Diomande 12 yards from goal his low drive sped past the static Bonmann.

Gers midfielder Nico Raskin had two efforts at the start of the second half to no avail, and Chermiti had a right-footed drive parried to safety by the Ludogorets keeper, who then gathered a poor chip from Mikey Moore.

At the other end, only a terrific block by Gers defender Emmanuel Fernandez prevented Deroy Duarte’s close-range shot getting through to test Butland, who moments later made a fine save from Caio Vidal’s angled drive.

In the 70th minute Gers substitute Bojan Miovski hesitated when brilliantly set up by Diomande inside the box and was crowded out, before Bonmann saved a Djeidi Gassama shot and then a curler from distance by another Gers replacement, Findlay Curtis.

Further pressure brought no more goals – and Butland had to make a save from Vidal on a Ludogorets break – but Rangers kept on the winning track.