Nico Raskin headed the opening goal and Vaclav Cerny slotted a second as Rangers raised their game to beat Belgians Union Saint-Gilloise 2-1 in Glasgow on Thursday and go straight through to the Europa League last 16.

Rangers have won all six of their home games against Belgian sides in all competitions by an aggregate score of 20-7. Their most recent such match was a 3-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise in qualifying for the 2022-23 Champions League.

The visitors had a few chances of their own, and Kevin MacAllister pulled one back for them in the 84th minute, but Rangers held on for the win. For Rangers to go straight through

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are the joke clubs of the Premier League but have finished in the top eight of the Europa League. Make of that what you will. The Europa has provided some much-needed respite for the Premier League strugglers, though their European campaigns have been far from stress-free.

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur were joined by Rangers as three British clubs secured their spots in the Europa League last-16 on the final round of group games on Thursday.