Rangers and Spurs draw in thrilling Europa League match at Ibrox

Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur have drawn 1-1 in a hard-fought Europa League tie at Ibrox.

Hamza Igamane put Rangers ahead early in the second half but Spurs battled back and Dejan Kulucevski netted an equaliser that earned his side a point from a thrilling game.

Spurs almost got off to an explosive start when the ball was worked to Timo Werner in the box within the first 20 seconds but the German was thwarted and Jack Butland collected the resultant corner with ease.

From there, Rangers were on top, with Ridvan Yilmaz and then Hamza Igamane having early shots at the Spurs goal.

Former Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster had been given a loud reception from the Rangers fans when his name was read from the team sheets pre-match but he astonished the home fans ten minutes in with a fingertip save to deny a powerful shot from Nedim Bajrami that was destined for the top corner.

Philippe Clement had been urging his players on from the first whistle and they continued to take the game to their more fancied opponents, with Vaclav Cerny next to threaten but choosing the wrong pass after breaking into space.

The Czech winger forced a save from Forster soon after and Rangers were frustrated soon after when a low cross from Jefte was just out of Bajrami’s reach with the goal wide open to him.

There was a blow for the Ibrox side just after the half hour mark though, when John Souttar went down with an apparent groin injury and he had to be replaced with Leon Balogun.

Spurs had looked disjointed and wasteful but they weren’t without attacking threat and Butland had to be sharp to deny Brennan Johnson from close range, though the offside flag went up soon after.

At half-time there was no doubt who the better team had been but the scoreline remained goalless.

That changed just two minutes after the restart. James Tavernier carried the ball forward down the right flank and curled in a cross from deep. Hamza Igamane ran on to the ball and fired in a clinical shot low into the corner as Ibrox erupted.

Dejan Kulusevski had replaced Werner at half time as Ange Postecoglou sought to get something from his side and the Swede set up Johnson but saw the forward fail to test Butland from 12 yards out.

Mohamed Diomande was next to try his luck with an ambitious half-volley that went wide and the noise level at Ibrox went up another notch.

Spurs made a triple change, bringing on Dominic Solanke, Pape Sarr and Lucas Bergvall for Rodrigo Bentancur, Yves Bissouma and Johnson. The visitors had another good chance soon after when James Maddison had a free-kick just outside the Rangers box but put his effort well over the bar.

Rangers seemed unsure of whether to defend their lead or push for a killer second, while Spurs were putting their foot to the floor in pursuit of an equaliser. They got that with 15 minutes left to play.

A swift passing move saw the side in white glide up the pitch and after an exchange of passes Kulusevski slotted a finish low past Butland to bring his side level and set up a thrilling finale.

Tavernier was forced into a desperate block to deny Solanke as Spurs pushed on but there was plenty of space for the host to pour into when they took possession.

Cyriel Dessers had come on to replace Igamane and he was given a golden opportunity with five minutes left. The striker slipped past Archie Gray and fired in his shot but Forster saved, forcing the ball wide when all of Ibrox thought it was destined for the back of the net.

The Rangers striker had the ball in the net moments later, only to be flagged offside.

Solanke had a last chance to make the headlines when Maddison picked him out in the last minute of regulation time but his weak header was collected by Butland and both sides had to reflect on missed opportunities as they were forced to settle for a point each.