Rangers overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to defeat Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise 3-0 on the night at Ibrox and 3-2 on aggregate.

Following a poor showing in the first leg a week ago, Rangers went into the return leg with a significant hill to climb. The Ibrox club knew that anything other than a top class performance in the second leg would see them fall out of the UEFA Champions League at the very first hurdle. As it turned out, Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side delivered, sending the home crowd crazy in the process.

Despite not being at their best in the first half, James Tavernier netted a penalty kick on the stroke of half-time, a pivotal moment in the tie for The Gers.

Antonio Colak headed home a second Rangers goal just before the hour to level the tie before Malik Tillman's looping header won it for the cinch Premiership side.

The visitors ended the match with 10 men after Lazare Amani picked up a second booking in the final moments.

  • Story of the match

As you would expect given the two-goal deficit, Rangers piled on the pressure early on with the backing of a very vocal home crowd at Ibrox. Van Bronckhorst's side won a flurry of early corners but testing visiting keeper Anthony Moris was proving to be a problem.

Tillman headed wide of the near post in the early stages before Colak's header looped onto the roof of the net following a free-kick from the right. At the other end, Siebe van der Heyden sent a header wide across goal after getting on the end of a corner kick.

Rangers did become more dangerous as the first half went on. Moris superbly denied Colak who looked certain to head home from six yards before Tom Lawrence curled an effort narrowly wide from 20 yards.

The breakthrough finally arrived on the stroke of half-time. A ball into the box was handled by Van der Heyden and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Tavernier stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Moris the wrong way as he found the bottom corner of the net.

Union Saint-Gilloise were the first team to threaten in the second period but Amani could only curl his effort from distance narrowly over the bar.

Rangers then levelled the tie on aggregate when Colak headed home from a couple of yards. Tavernier's cross deflected into the path of Scott Arfield who saw his shot saved by Moris but Rangers number nine Colak was alert and was able to nod in the equaliser from the rebound.

It could have got even better for Rangers moments later but John Lundstram's effort from the edge of the box was pushed round the post by Moris.

Rangers got the all important third goal 12 minutes from time when Moris was beaten to a cross by Tillman who looped his header into an unguarded net.

Rangers substitute Alfredo Morelos went close to adding a fourth goal late on but he saw his effort pushed behind by Moris.

Union Saint-Gilloise's return to European competition following a 58-year absence ended on a further sour note with Amani receiving a red card in second half injury time following a second booking.

Rangers will now face PSV Eindhoven in the play-off round.

  • Man of the Match - Malik Tillman 

On an Ibrox night where big hearts were required from those in royal blue, Tillman stood up to the test and kept his focus to head home the winning goal. 

The forward was a constant threat down the right, getting himself into good positions and also bringing his fellow attacking teammates into play. Tillman thoroughly deserved to be the match winner towards the end of a thrilling Third Qualifying Round tie.

There were also strong performances from Tavernier at full-back, Lundstram in central midfield and from forward Colak, a player who looks like he could quickly become a fans' favourite at Ibrox.

  • What is next?

For Rangers, their focus now turns back to the cinch Premiership as they look to continue their winning start to the domestic season. On Saturday, Van Bronckhorst's side welcome St Johnstone to Ibrox for their third league match of the season.

The Gers will take huge confidence from tonight's comeback and they have also had the benefit of not having to play an additional 30 minutes following that late Tillman winner.

As for Union Saint-Gilloise, they are also next in action on Saturday. They take on Kortrijk on home soil at the Joseph Marien Stadium in the Belgian Pro League.

Les Unionistes need to get their domestic season back on track after a 3-0 away defeat at Mechelen last weekend. Karel Geraerts' side already find themselves five points adrift of early pace-setters Royal Antwerp with three matches played.