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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Liam Bryce

Chris Sutton tips cap to Rangers 'enormous achievement' as Owen Hargreaves can't list enough Ibrox heroes

Celtic legend Chris Sutton tipped his cap to an "incredible achievement" as Rangers swept into a Europa League semi-final.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst 's side produced a night to remember at Ibrox as they overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Braga in extra time.

The Premiership champions were dominant throughout but required extra-time to get the job done following after a late goal from the visitors levelled the tie.

Ultimately, however, a double from James Tavernier and a Kemar Roofe goal on the 100 minute mark earned Rangers a monumental victory.

Parkhead favourite and Record Sport columnist Sutton reckons it's not only a landmark moment for the Ibrox side, but for all of Scottish football.

He said on BT Sport: "It's an enormous achievement, credit to Giovanni van Bronckhorst and the Rangers players.

"I thought they disappointed a little with their performance in Braga but to get to a major European semi-final is such a big deal for Rangers and for Scottish football.

"They deserved to go through.

"They started the game so, so well - and they needed to. They got the early goal, Tavernier has been prolific for them in Europe this season and they work it really well.

"Barisic has been excellent coming back into the team, he was decent at the weekend and has such good delivery.

Kemar Roofe celebrates scoring in extra time to make it 3-1. (SNS)

"The touch from Aribo and the finish is a brilliant finish, the goalkeeper will be slightly disappointed but Tavernier doesn't have much to aim at and he slots it perfectly.

"The roof nearly came off the stadium. They needed a fast start - they didn't create enugh chances in Portugal but that fast start was absolutely key.

"I fancied Rangers to go through comfortably and it wasn't all that comfortable in the end, but they got there and deserved to go through."

Sutton's co-pundit Owen Hargreaves was just as effusive in his praise, singling out a number of players and insisting Van Bronckhorst will be absolutely thrilled with all of them.

He said: "Roofe was absolutely brilliant. There were so many great performances - Aaron Ramsey's best performance in a Rangers shirt, Aribo was terrific with a couple of assists.

"But Roofe is where he needs to be between the posts, he sniffs it.

"He drops off maybe for a little cutback but then pops off into that area. He looked lethal.

"He had three at the weekend, a goal there, one disallowed and one off the crossbar.

"I thought he put in a spectacular performance.

"Barisic, Jack and Bassey were great. There were so many great performances and I think Giovanni van Bronckhorst will be delighted with his players."

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