European playoffs: Rangers scrape first-leg win as Brighton draw in Norway
Quick summary
Rangers earned a narrow first-leg victory in the European playoffs, while Brighton were held to a draw in Norway in their respective first-leg tie.
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Attributed to original source10-man Rangers hang on for 1-0 win against Jablonec
Tromsø 0-0 Brighton; Hearts 2-2 Rapid Vienna
Ryan Naderi’s second-half strike gave an unconvincing Rangers a narrow 1-0 win in the first leg of their Conference League playoff tie against Czech side Jablonec at Ibrox. Derek McInnes got his first win as Rangers manager at the fifth time of asking with a 5-1 thumping of St Mirren on Sunday but there was regression in the goalless first half which brought boos at the interval whistle.
The Govan side pepped up after the break and Naderi opened the scoring from close range in the 50th minute but in the 78th minute the substitute Cammy Devlin was sent off – minutes after coming off the bench – for a high tackle on Jiri Slama to leave Rangers to see out the game with 10 men.
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What happened
The European playoff first legs delivered contrasting results for British clubs. Rangers secured a hard-fought, narrow first-leg win, giving them a slim advantage heading into the return fixture. Meanwhile, Brighton travelled to Norway and came away with a draw, leaving their tie finely poised ahead of the second leg. Both results leave the qualifications for the group stage of the relevant European competition wide open heading into the decisive second legs.
Chance analysis
First-leg playoff results rarely settle qualification ties, and both outcomes here reflect that reality. Rangers' narrow win at home gives them something to defend but no margin for error, while Brighton's draw in Norway means they will likely need to win at the Amex to progress. For Brighton, the away goal — or lack of one — could prove decisive, and the trip to an unfamiliar Nordic venue tests squad depth early in the season. Rangers, meanwhile, will take confidence from grinding out a result but face the pressure of protecting a one-goal lead away from Ibrox.
Rangers hold a narrow first-leg lead heading into the return fixture, while Brighton's qualification chances remain in the balance after an away draw in Norway.