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GERRO'S HEROES

FC Ufa 1 Rangers 1 (Gers win 2-1 on agg): Nine-man Rangers fend off heavy pressure to go through in Europa League

Alfredo Morelos and Jon Flanagan each saw red for two bookings after Ovie Ejiara's superb opener - then Dmitri Sysuev levels on the night for the Russians to set up amazing finale

NINE-MAN Rangers survived firece pressure in Russia to pull off a famous Europa League play-off triumph.

Steven Gerrard's unbeaten Gers saw Alfredo Morelos and Jon Flanagan each sent off for two bookings before clinging on in the final 23 minutes for a 2-1 aggregate success.

Rangers celebrate after Ovie Ejaria gave them an early lead in an eventful tie
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Rangers celebrate after Ovie Ejaria gave them an early lead in an eventful tieCredit: AP:Associated Press

On-loan Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria curled a superb far-corner opener for Rangers early on after the ball broke to him on the left of the box.

But on 33 minutes the Gers defence was caught square, enabling Dmitri Sysuev to surge through, keep calm and drill past Allan McGregor.

Then Morelos was sent off for two crazy yellow cards in quick succession.

After being cautioned for kicking the ball away, he was promptly booked against for voicing dissent to referee Tobias Stieler.

Rangers boss Steven Gerrard gets Andy Halliday in playful headlock as they celebrate reaching Europa League groups
Rangers go down to nine midway through the second half as Jon Flanagan is sent off
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Rangers go down to nine midway through the second half asCredit: Willie Vass
FC Ufa fans set off flares in the street ahead of Rangers Europa League clash

Yet just after the break Rangers wideman Ryan Kent weaved through for a deflected shot that Alexandr Belenov saved incredibly, seemingly wrong-footed but managing to push it wide with his outstretched arm.

Gers, though, soon had a major let-off.

Sysuev put substitute Ivan Oblyakov through with only the outcoming McGregor to beat.

But he rifled his shot off the outside of the post.

Alfredo Morelos roars out dissent as he earns his second booking - and the first red card for Gers
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Alfredo Morelos roars out dissent as he earns his second booking - and the first red card for GersCredit: Willie Vass
Rangers' Ovie Ejaria homes in on Ufa star Ondrej Vanek in the second leg
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Rangers' Ovie Ejaria homes in on Ufa star Ondrej Vanek in the second legCredit: AP:Associated Press

Then midway through the half Gers went down to nine as Flanagan - already booked for a foul - caught a Ufa player with an arm as he leapt for a header.

That, predictably, left the visitors under heavy pressure for the rest of the tie.

But they somehow held on as Gerrard's scintillating start as boss continues.

Steven Gerrard celebrates what must be his most satisfying victory in charge of Rangers so far
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Steven Gerrard celebrates what must be his most satisfying victory in charge of Rangers so farCredit: Willie Vass
Ovie Ejaria celebrates his early opener - before the tie got even more dramatic
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Ovie Ejaria celebrates his early opener - before the tie got even more dramaticCredit: Willie Vass
Ufa's Ionut Nedelcearu tries in vain to shut out Rangers' on-loan Liverpool ace Ovie Ejaria
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Ufa's Ionut Nedelcearu tries in vain to shut out Rangers' on-loan Liverpool ace Ovie EjariaCredit: AP:Associated Press
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