PSV Eindhoven experienced the full force of the intimidating Ibrox atmosphere when they locked horns with Rangers in last week’s first leg, but they managed to come away from Glasgow with a hard-earned draw.
Ibrahim Sangare pounced on a loose ball inside the area to open the scoring in the 37th minute, but the visitors’ lead was short lived as Antonio Colak equalised just three minutes later, stroking a smart finish into the bottom-left corner.
A howler from PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez, who fumbled a Tom Lawrencefree kick, then helped the Gers edge in front in the 70th minute before a towering header from defender Armando Obisporestored parity eight minutes later.
Head coach Ruud van Nistelrooyacknowledged after the four-goal thriller that a draw was a “fair result”, and his side now boast home advantage for the reverse fixture on Wednesday as they bid to reach the Champions League group stage for the first time in four years.
Since the first leg, PSV have been granted a week off from Eredivisie action by the Dutch FA to focus fully on their Champions League playoff tie, with their fixture against newly-promoted FC Volendam rearranged to August 31.
Last season’s KNVB Beker winners are currently enjoying a 12-game unbeaten run across all competitions, but they head into Wednesday’s encounter having failed to win any of their previous three home meetings against Rangers, including a goalless draw back in the 2010-11 Europa League knockout rounds.
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After James Tavernier converted from the penalty spot on the stroke of half time, Martin Boyle equalised for the hosts six minutes after the break before the Gers then shot themselves in the foot when John Lundstram and substitute Alfredo Morelos were both dismissed within the space of nine second-half minutes.
Rangers attempted to cling on to their lead with only nine men in the closing stages, but in the third minute of stoppage time, Josh Campbell fired in a Hibs equaliser to force both sides to share the spoils.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side now turn their attention to Wednesday, and with a £40m ticket to the Champions League group stage on the line, Rangers are aware of the magnitude of their second-leg tie as they aim to qualify for the group stage for the first time in 12 years.
The Gers impressed on their route to the Europa League final last season, beating Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig in the knockout rounds before losing to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in the final.
