Steven Gerrard’s Rangers progress to Europa League play-offs

Steven Gerrard's managerial career has got off to a strong start

Rangers have progressed into the next phase of qualifying for the Europa League after a 0-0 draw against Maribor tonight. Steven Gerrard's side won the tie 3-1 on aggregate after winning the first leg at Ibrox and will play Russian side FC Ufa later this month in a play-off that will decide who qualifies for the group stages. Both sides started the game slowly but Rangers came closest to breaking the deadlock after 25 minutes, when Connor Goldson got on the end of a set piece but headed the chance just over the bar. Rangers picked up five yellow cards during the match, but emerged with a clean sheet away from home; an encouraging sign given the team's defensive fragility last season. Maribor came close to scoring on the 36 minute mark, when goalkeeper Alan McGregor tipped a powerful shot over the woodwork. Maribor had the chance to win the match when they were awarded a penalty in the last minute of the 90, but McGregor stepped up again to save the spot kick, ensuring that the Slovenian team were not even granted a consolation goal. Gerrard's managerial career has got off to an excellent start, as Rangers have picked up four points from two league games and are now on the verge of qualifying for the Europa League. Their arch rivals, Celtic, meanwhile, were knocked out of Champions League qualifying after losing to AEK Athens this week and have already lost as many games as they have won in the Scottish Premiership. It might be too early to say, but this could be the beginning of Rangers' true revival. There is an optimism at Ibrox that Gerrard will be able to inspire a title challenge this season, after years of Celtic dominating without a contender.