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Gabriel McKay

How every pundit reacted to Rangers' rollercoaster Antwerp triumph as Chris Sutton delivers 'absolutely stunning' verdict

Goals, penalties, VAR controversy, red cards; Rangers' head-spinning Europa League victory over Royal Antwerp had it all.

The Ibrox side will take a 4-3 lead back to Glasgow next Thursday after finally prevailing in a rollercoaster last 32 first leg thriller.

Steven Gerrard's were twice forced to come from behind despite Joe Aribo's first-half opener.

Felipe Avenatti headed home an equaliser on the cusp of half-time before Steven Davis was penalised for a foul inside the area just moments later.

Lior Refaelov rattled home the spot-kick to leave Rangers trailing at the break. But Borna Barisic, in the absence of injured captain James Tavernier, stepped up for a penalty of his own in the second-half to level matters.

Borna Barisic slotted two penalties on the night (SNS Group)

Against the run of play, Martin Hongla put the hosts 3-2 in front, only for Ryan Kent to smash in a stunning equaliser before a second Barisic penalty snatched victory in the dying moments.

Here's how the TV pundits reacted to a pulsating night in Belgium.

Owen Hargreaves

Kent goal: "This is what you want to talk about - players like this and a goal like this.

"A little chop there, lovely little one-two. You want to talk about this and not the referees who have had an absolute nightmare in the game to be honest with you.

"But this is a terrific goal from Ryan Kent, he came off the bench and had a huge impact. That is just so sharp, great finish.

"The game was bonkers. The ref again he has a huge part again there (in the second Rangers penalty) with Ryan Kent.

"I'm not sure what he's supposed to do? He smashes it off his arm from about a yard away, he's trying to keep his arm in tight.

"I know referees give that as a penalty but as a player that's how you stand if somebody is going to kick a ball at you.

"So obviously it's great for Rangers and Barisic, and it's a great penalty, but the referee I thought had a poor game."

Second leg: "If you score four goals (away from home) then you're in the driving seat.

"They were by far the better team and they'll finish the job at Ibrox."

Alan Hutton

Antwerp were awarded a penalty when Steven Davis fouled (SNS Group)

On the Antwerp penalty: "I can't believe it (that VAR didn't overturn the penalty).

"That's what it's there for, a clear and obvious error.

"He should have looked at it. I think if the referee goes to a monitor and sees that he gives it."

On Tavernier: “I was worried when he came back on to give it a try. I’ve done that injury myself and I said to Coisty just before it, he’s going to know as soon as he opens up and tries to pass the ball, he will know how bad it is and he went down instantly.

“I fear for him in that. Hopefully it’s not serious but I could tell the way he passed the ball that he’s struggling.”

On Kent: "In that performance I didn't see he was carrying a knock. That's what they were missing in the first half. The penetration, the runs that he makes, the quick feet.

"They were looking for that spark and he came on and provided that."

Ally McCoist

"It was unbelievable, it really was. You couldn't believe what you were seeing.

"Penalties, mixed in with some real quality.

"The goal from Kent, who looked really lively when he came on. Quick feet, committing defenders, taking the touch and a brilliant goal."

"I'm devastated the Antwerp keeper might miss the second leg.

"He had a struggle the whole night. I thought his distribution was poor and some of his handling was poor."

On the Antwerp penalty: "I'm not having it and I'm absolutely surprised Steve Davis took it so well.

"Look, he goes down far too easily. I don't understand the referee giving that when he's ten yards away.

"Not for me." think there might be the slightest of contact but it's an absolute dive. 100 per cent. He throws himself - simple as."

On Tavernier: "Losing Tavernier would be a real blow. And Roofe as well.

"Roofe looks like a recurrence of the calf injury while Tavernier looks a sore one.

"He goes for the block challenge and he goes 70/30 and that's when you can get hurt and tweak your medial ligament. Hopefully it's not."

On Kent: "He can be frustrating but he's the only player in the Rangers team that can score that kind of goal because he will run at you and will commit you. Sometimes he will take an extra touch but other times his feet are so quick.

"He gets the wee half yard and his finish is superb."

Chris Sutton

Barisic's spot-kick winner came right at the end of 90 minutes (Getty Images)

"I thought in the 90 minutes, over the piece, Rangers deserved to win.

"They were by far the better team, they created the better opportunities.

"They did have their moments but it was a bonkers game, wasn't it?"

On Antwerp penalty: "That's a very good question, how is it given? There's not enough contact from Steven Davis for Refaelov to go down in that manner.

"That should have been overturned and he should have received a caution.

"Of course he didn't, he stuck the penalty away brilliantly though."

On first Rangers penalty: "I think this is a penalty.

"De Laet's got hold of Morelos' shirt, it's a clear penalty.

"James Tavernier, bad loss for Rangers this season, let's hope he's not out for too long. He's normally the penalty taker so fair play to Barisic, he slotted that one away - but I thought the goalkeeper should have saved that."

Off the line: "A man down, you think Rangers are going to see it out comfortably but that summed up the night.

"I have to say, Barisic's second penalty: pressure on, absolutely stunning."

Second leg: "Even had they drawn the game I think Rangers would have got through.

"I think the manner of their performance they were the better team, they're going to see this through quite easily and be in the hat for the next round."

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