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Canadian Arfield Comes Up Trumps For Rangers

Midfielder’s goal sets Rangers off to the Europa League group stage...

Rangers v Galatasaray: UEFA Europa League Play-Off
Scott Arfield celebrates scoring Rangers’ opening goal v Galatasary in Europa League qualifying. The Glasgow club have now reached the Europa League group stages for the three years in a row.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Canadian international Scott Arfield palmed a key role as Rangers defeated Turkey’s Galatasaray 2-1 this evening at Ibrox to secure Europa League group stage football for the third year in succession.

The midfielder burst into a gap through the Galatasaray defence, collecting a perfect pass from Ianis Hagi, before finishing decisively with the outside of his boot past goalkeeper Fatih Ozturk.

Earlier this week, Rangers boss Steven Gerrard picked out Arfield for special praise after an impressive return to form. The 52nd minute opening goal was the perfect way for the Canadian to repay the manager’s faith.

Captain James Tavernier added a second goal before the hour mark, leaving Rangers to manage the game to a conclusion.

They were given a scare in the 87th minute however when Marcao pulled a goal back for Galatasaray, but were able to see out the remaining minutes fairly comfortably to record their 19th Europa League qualifying victory in a row.

Gerrard was delighted with his team’s success: “This is a fantastic night and the players are very happy in the dressing room, but I want to make sure we have good nights come May.

“European football is very important but for me it is about success in May but if we keep performing like tonight and keep moving this group forward and adding the right players to it then maybe we can.”