Rangers Hold Athletic Bilbao to Gutsy 0-0 Draw in Europa League Thriller

Rangers delivered a lion-hearted performance at Ibrox Stadium, battling to a 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie, despite being reduced to 10 men early in the match. The result keeps Rangers’ hopes alive for a semi-final berth as they head to Spain for the second leg next Thursday.

The match began with drama as Rangers’ Dutch defender Robin Pröpper was shown a red card in the 13th minute following a VAR review for denying Inaki Williams a clear goalscoring opportunity just outside the penalty area. The decision forced interim manager Barry Ferguson to reorganize his side, with the Gers adopting a compact defensive shape to weather Bilbao’s attacking waves.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Rangers showed resilience, with goalkeeper Liam Kelly emerging as the hero of the night. The former Motherwell stopper, chosen over regular starter Jack Butland, justified Ferguson’s bold selection with a string of crucial saves. The defining moment came in the second half when a chaotic four-minute VAR saga saw Bilbao’s Alex Berenguer have a goal disallowed for offside, only for the visitors to be awarded a penalty for a handball by Dujon Sterling. Berenguer stepped up, but Kelly produced a stunning save with his legs, sending the Ibrox faithful into raptures.

“It was a proper Rangers performance,” Ferguson said post-match. “The lads showed character and fight. Liam was outstanding, and we’ve given ourselves a chance in Bilbao.” His game plan, thrown into disarray by the early dismissal, relied on discipline and heart, with Rangers’ two banks of defenders frustrating Bilbao’s talented attackers, including the Williams brothers, Nico and Inaki, who struggled to find a cutting edge.

Bilbao, fourth in La Liga and unbeaten in their last five European matches, dominated possession with 71% and mustered 19 shots, but only three were on target. Their frustration was palpable, with Spanish media noting an “impotent” display despite the man advantage. Ernesto Valverde’s side, tipped as favorites to reach the final in their home stadium next month, will need a sharper performance at San Mamés to progress.

Rangers’ night wasn’t without further setbacks. Late in the game, Sterling was stretchered off after a heavy collision, leaving the hosts with nine men for the final moments. Yet, the team held firm, buoyed by a raucous Ibrox crowd and a pre-match tifo display from the Union Bears that set the tone for a defiant evening.

The stats tell a tale of Bilbao’s control—19 shots to Rangers’ 4, 9 corners to 2—but Rangers’ grit ensured no breakthrough. Kelly’s heroics, including first-half saves from Marian Sannadi and Orhan Sancet, underlined his command of the penalty area, while captain James Tavernier and Leon Balogun were colossal at the back.

For Rangers, the draw snaps a five-match losing streak at Ibrox, offering a glimmer of hope after a torrid domestic run that has left them trailing Celtic by 13 points in the Scottish Premiership. Ally McCoist, speaking on talkSPORT, called the result “a miracle of sorts,” adding, “If you’d offered me 0-0 after the red card, I’d have bitten your hand off.”

As attention turns to the return leg, Bilbao will fancy their chances at home, but Rangers’ European pedigree—highlighted by their run to the 2022 Europa League final—suggests they can’t be counted out. The tie remains finely poised, and with Kelly’s confidence soaring and Ferguson’s tactical nous on display, Rangers will travel to Spain daring to dream of another famous European night.