There was a feeling of deja vu at Ibrox on Wednesday night as Rangers and PSV Eindhoven played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie, a year on from sharing the spoils by the same scoreline, in the same stadium and in the same round of the competition.
The Dutch visitors pegged back the hosts twice to rescue a draw, with Ibrahim Sangare firstly cancelling out a first-half opener from Abdallah Sima before Rabbi Matondo’s 76th-minute strike was followed just four minute later by an equaliser from Luuk de Jong.
Michael Beale would certainly welcome the feeling of deja vu once again next week if it ensures that his Rangers side – who beat PSV 1-0 in the second leg at this stage last season – can advance to the Champions League group stage in 2023-24.
Since losing 1-0 to Kilmarnock on the opening weekend of the new Scottish Premiership season, Rangers have put together a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions, although the Gers have looked vulnerable in defence as they have only kept one clean sheet during this period.
Nevertheless, Rangers will be confident of extending their unbeaten run on Saturday as they have never lost any of their previous 21 meetings against Ross County in all competitions.
Ross County head to Ibrox after securing back-to-back wins against St Johnstone in the Premiership and Airdrieonians in the Scottish League Cup, beating the latter in a seven-goal thriller after extra time last weekend.
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Leading 3-1 heading into the final 10 minutes of their second-round tie, the Staggies conceded two late goals to send the contest into extra time, but Eamonn Brophy saved the visitors’ bacon when he came off the substitutes’ bench to net a 101st-minute match-winner against their Championship counterparts.
Malky Mackay’s side have been rewarded with a quarter-final home tie against Aberdeen at the end of next month, but they must first turn their attention back to the Premiership and will endeavour to claim their second successive top-flight home win on Saturday after beating St Johnstone 2-0 on August 12.
Ross County have frustrated Rangers in their last two home encounters but they were unable to claim maximum points, firstly rescuing a 3-3 draw in January 2022 thanks to a 96th-minute equaliser from Matthew Wright before suffering a slender 1-0 defeat last December courtesy of a first-half strike from John Lundstram.
