Rangers 3-2 Standard Liege: Gerrard's men hit back to book last-32 spot

A draw would have been enough to send Steven Gerrard's men through to the last 32, but they picked up all three points thanks to Scott Arfield's strike to keep hold of top spot in Group D heading into the final round of fixtures.

Standard twice took the lead in a breathless first half, yet goals from Maxime Lestienne and Duje Cop were cancelled out by Connor Goldson and James Tavernier.

Arfield scored the only goal of a quieter second half to earn all three points for Rangers, who are in the draw for the next round with one group game – away to Lech Poznan – to spare.

FULL-TIME: Rangers 3-2 Standard Liege #UEL Victory at Ibrox sends #RangersFC into the @EuropaLeague Round of 32. pic.twitter.com/m2y35HAbzD

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 3, 2020

Lestienne profited from some slack Rangers defending to convert Cop's cross after six minutes as Rangers fell behind in a home game for the first time in 12 outings this term.

The hosts initially struggled to offer any sort of response but they soon found some rhythm and Goldson powered in a header when left completely unmarked in the 39th minute.

Liege were back ahead 100 seconds later through Cop's finish at the back stick after Tavernier and Leon Balogun switched off, the winger clattering into the post in the process.

But Rangers were given another lifeline moments before half-time as Kemar Roofe's shot hit the arm of Lestienne and Tavernier tucked away the penalty.

Allan McGregor produced a fine stop to deny Abdoul Tapsoba and, less than seven minutes later, Arfield swept home Ryan Kent's cutback to put the Gers ahead for the first time.

The Belgians needed a win to stay in the competition but they struggled to truly test McGregor again.

Only some impressive late saves from Arnaud Bodart prevented Rangers from adding more goals to their tally, the visiting goalkeeper pushing Borna Barisic's free-kick onto the crossbar before denying Roofe from a one-on-one.

With Benfica beating Lech Poznan 4-0 in the other Group D game, it is now a straight shootout between the Portuguese club and Rangers for top spot for what, on paper, should be an easier last-32 draw.

Gerrard can be proud of his players' efforts in achieving their first aim of reaching the knockout stages, having done so in back-to-back campaigns for just a second time in major European competition.

A @EuropaLeague Salute from @scottyarf.#UEL pic.twitter.com/cO7atrZZFW

— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) December 3, 2020

Standard bow out of the competition with this defeat but they did at least go down fighting, twice taking the lead at a ground that Rangers have made a fortress during Gerrard's time in charge.

Cop was lively throughout, scoring one and setting up another, but goalkeeper Bodart was the star of the show with his flurry of saves to thwart Barisic, Roofe, Goldson and Tavernier.

If there was one downside to this victory for Rangers it was their first-half defending. Both Standard goals were preventable, with the home side's back four – and goalkeeper – completely switching off.

In Goldson's defence, he made amends by scoring and finished the game having attempted more passes (73) than any player on the field, while only Konstantinos Laifis (89) had more touches than the defender's 84.

- Rangers have lost just one of their last 22 home matches in European competition, including qualifiers (W15 D6).

- Standard have lost four of their five Europa League group stage matches this season - they had only lost four of their previous 16 in the group stage in the competition (W6 D6 L4).

- Twelve of the last 15 goals Rangers have conceded in all competitions have been in European matches. Eight of the 11 the Gers have conceded this season have been in European encounters.

- Lestienne has scored four goals in his last seven Europa League appearances, which is double the amount he scored in his first 20 appearances in the competition.

- Tavernier has scored 15 goals in his last 19 matches in all competitions for Rangers - he has scored eight more than any other Gers player this season.

Rangers need to match Benfica's result on the final matchday when they travel to Poznan if they are to finish top.