Match report as PSV beat Rangers 7-3 on aggregate to reach the Champions League; Ismael Saibari scored a double; Luuk De Jong and Joey Veerman scored after James Tavernier headed in for Rangers; Connor Goldson added an own goal; Rangers go into draw for Europa League group stages
Thursday 31 August 2023 11:13, UK
Rangers' hopes of another Champions League campaign were ended by a 5-1 demolition against PSV Eindhoven.
Ismael Saibari headed in to put PSV ahead on aggregate for the first time in the tie and added a second just after the break.
James Tavernier's strike gave Rangers a brief lifeline, but Luuk de Jong nodded home just minutes later before Joey Veerman added another.
Connor Goldson's own goal added to the Ibrox side's misery as they failed to join Celtic in the group stages for another season and PSV returned to Europe's elite competition for the first time in five years with a 7-3 aggregate victory.
Rangers drop into the Europa League group stage - a competition they reached the final of in 2022.
It was a dismal performance from Rangers who carried almost no threat until it was too late.
The home side soon warmed to the task and De Jong headed a corner over the bar before Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland beat away a Veerman drive.
In the 19th minute, home winger Johan Bakayoko floated a cross to the back post and De Jong headed wide as PSV gradually increased the pressure.
Only a fine reaction save from Butland denied Saibari from close range and there was a VAR check seconds later when Ibrahim Sangare went down in the box under a challenge from Borna Barisic.
Rangers survived but only for a few moments, until Veerman got behind Tavernier and crossed from the byline for Saibari to head past Butland from six yards.
The goal seemed to drain Rangers of real belief and they almost came unstuck again just before the break when Bakayoko's angled drive escaped the far post.
The start to the second half was no more encouraging for the visitors.
Barisic picked up an injury just after the break and was replaced by Dujon Sterling before Rangers fell further behind.
Jordan Teze's cross to the back post evaded Tavernier and De Jong knocked the ball back for Saibari to ease into the net from close range.
Saibari went looking for his hat-trick and was denied by a Butland save.
Sam Lammers and Danilo came on for Cyriel Dessers and Nicolas Raskin and there was an quick pay-off.
Lammers took a Cantwell pass and knocked it across goal for Tavernier to steer in from a couple of yards out to give the visitors an unlikely lifeline, taken away less than two minutes later when De Jong headed in a free-kick from Veerman.
A Bakayoko drive was pushed away by Butland while at the other end Matondo hit the outside of the post with a drive.
In the 78th minute Veerman fired a pass from Teze low past Butland for number four before Goldson took a pass from his keeper and knocked the ball into his own net to complete a miserable night for the Govan side, who must regroup for the Old Firm visit of Celtic on Sunday.
Rangers manager Michael Beale on TNT Sports:
"Hugely disappointed with the result. Over the two legs we struggled to handle Luuk de Jong and Ibrahim Sangare. The buck stops with me.
"We played against an excellent team this evening and I think that'll be shown by the end of the season but that doesn't make us hurt any less.
"It's early in this team's time. PSV are a very good team but that doesn't take away from the disappointment. The difference between the two teams was quality for sure."
Beale was also asked if the result would change his transfer plans, adding: "It was going to be a quiet end to the window in terms of ins, anyway."
Sky Sports' Kris Boyd says Rangers will need to recover quickly:
"You can make all the excuses you want but Rangers went there last season and won and the budgets were the exact same.
"People will come out and say the Champions League is a step above and we saw that last season when they were there, but that's not to say that Rangers can't go in and compete at that level then drop back down into the Europa League.
"They were totally and utterly annihilated in the Netherlands and it will be the Europa League.
"If it wasn't for Jack Butland it could quite easily have been eight on the night, he had two or three fantastic saves.
"The big games when you're at big clubs come thick and fast and there can't be any hiding places come Sunday against Celtic.
"Ibrox will be packed to the rafters and they'll demand a performance.
"Rangers will have to deal with the criticism that will come their way but pick themselves back up in training then be ready for Sunday."
Rangers' next Scottish Premiership match is at home to Celtic on Sunday, live on Sky Sports. Kick-off 12pm.
They will go into the draw for the Europa League group stages which gets underway at 12pm on Friday.
