A good first-half goal from Mohamed Diomande gave Rangers a 1-0 win over Ludogorets at Ibrox, giving Danny Rohr’s side their first Europa League win of the season, but it wasn’t enough to sustain their play-off hopes.
However, a hard-fought victory over the Bulgarian champions continued Rangers’ recent good form, with the home team achieving seven consecutive wins in all competitions, including four consecutive clean sheets.
Rolle has rejuvenated Gers on the domestic scene since taking over from Russell Martin in October, but they were effectively eliminated in their penultimate league game with just one point from 18 points.
However, on a rainy and windy night in Govan, midfielder Diomande put the home side ahead in the 33rd minute, with a largely controlled performance proving decisive.
Ludogorets’ Hendrik Bonman denies Rangers’ Max Aarons’ comments
Rangers face Porto in their final Europa League game in Portugal next week, but first they resume their bid for the Scottish Premiership title at home to Dundee on Sunday.
The Light Blues are closing in on second-placed Celtic on goal difference and are six points behind leaders Hearts, who host the Hoops live on Sky Sports on Sunday.
Why the matchup between Rangers and Ludogorets wasn’t completely over
Sky Sports News reporter Adam Binney:
If Rangers won the Scottish Premiership title, they could earn valuable UEFA factor points that could give them direct access to next season’s Champions League.
Here’s why:
The domestic league winner with the highest total of “club coefficient” points outside of Europe’s top 10 leagues calculated over the past five years will automatically qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Rangers currently hold that spot thanks to a place in the Europa League final in 2022, but Olympiakos are also in hot pursuit.
Coach Danny Rohr’s team is currently in great form.
Danny Rohr’s side need at least one point from the final match to maintain their lead. They will visit Porto next week.
If Rangers fail to pick up points, Olympiakos could overtake Rangers with a win against Ajax in the final match, but remember they still need to win the domestic league.
It is important to note that Rangers are the only Scottish team that can benefit from this. Hearts and Celtic will have to play in the summer qualifiers if they win the league.
Rohr: Rangers’ Europa League win is key to maintaining momentum
Rangers manager Danny Rohr:
“The first win in Europe is good because it keeps the momentum going and now it’s seven wins in a row which is great.
“We’ve also kept six clean sheets in the last nine games, which is great.
“But there were also a lot of things to improve. I think this is an important part for me too. I won’t close my eyes and say everything was good. We know what we have to improve.”
“In the second half we adjusted our pressing a little bit and that was more my preference.
“Then we created a lot of good chances, but then you have to make it 2-0 or 3-0. Especially in these games, stories like this happen very often.
“At half-time I said to them: ‘Guys, this is the big difference between the league and Europe at the moment. We have a clean sheet and with that we have a chance to win the game.’
“Overall, I have a lot of respect for the performance of the players.
“At the moment I feel like we can win, we can win, we can win, but we always have to work hard and that was the big message after the game.
“If we think we can win on Sunday (against Dundee) with a 99 per cent chance, we don’t have a chance.
“We need 100 percent again in the next game, which is important. We have to demand high standards from ourselves. That means we have to give 100 percent every three days to win.”
