Scottish Premiership champions Rangers registered a hard-fought 1-0 win over Armenian side Alashkert in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie on Thursday night.
Manager Steven Gerrard handed left-back Calvin Bassey his full debut for a European game after starring against Dunfermline Athletic six days ago and the Leicester City academy product was joined in the starting line-up by Joe Aribo.
Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun is out of favour these days after struggling against Malmo in the Champions League and watched proceedings from the bench for the entirety of tonight's clash.
Just before half time Bassey thought he had won a penalty after he drew a foul from Wangu Gome but his appeal was waved away by referee Sidiropoulos.
The Light Blues played with ten men for more than forty seven minutes following the dismissal of John Lundstram for a second bookable offense.
In the 67th minute, the deadlock was broken by Alfredo Morelos, who fired through the goalkeeper's legs after a pass from James Tavernier.
Scott Arfield replaced Joe Aribo in the Rangers midfield for the final 10 minutes.
Rangers will face the Armenian champions in the return leg on Thursday, August 26, three days before their Old Firm derby clash with Celtic.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Photo Credit : rangers.co.uk
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