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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

Martin Keown makes Alfredo Morelos Rangers claim as English pundits rave about Braga comeback

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has earned praise for evoking the spirit of Istanbul as his side stunned Braga with a comeback for the ages.

BT Sport pundits Martin Keown and Owen Hargreaves were left blown away by the Ibrox side's endeavours in the 3-2 win over the Portuguese side as Ianis Hagi's double handed them a Europa League lifeline.

The pair approved of Rangers' never say die attitude as the January loan signing netted twice with his legendary father Gheorghe watching on from the stands.

Hargreaves, speaking on the Europa League Goals Show, said:  "When you think of Hagi you just think of a wonderful left foot and his son has got one as well.

"Great strike at the front post and that set the tone. And from that moment on Rangers were pressing with urgency and tempo. It was one way traffic."

(Getty Images)

And former England international was equally as impressed as he praised the raucous home supporters for helping their side secure an unlikely first leg triumph.

He added: "Sensational. They were dead and buried really. They were 2-0 down and that goal gets them back in it. Ibrox, the atmosphere there is just remarkable and they (the fans) dragged the team to victory."

Hargreaves said:  "You would have thought 2-0 down to a good team like that you could sink. They didn't. Steven Gerrard made some subs that impacted the game and I think Celtic Park and Ibrox are the same, they can grab a game.

"They are like Anfield. That goal from Hagi, the first one, the crowd got into it and you just felt like once they got the first one the third was going to come.

"Steven Gerrard knows everything about comebacks and this team were really good in the second half."

But the former Arsenal defender was less than impressed with Alfredo Morelos after the striker picked up a needless yellow card for dissent during the rousing win which rules him out for the return leg next Wednesday.

And Keown believes 37-year-old Jermain Defoe's return from injury can't come soon enough as the Ibrox side aim to continue their Euro adventure.

He added: "He (Morelos) is so important to what they do.

"We know he's ill-disciplined. He's an angry man, love him or hate him that's the full package.

"They are going to be without him but the good news Defoe is back in training this week. I know he's 37 but he's got three in the last four so maybe he can catch them on the break with a finish."

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