Rangers remain unbeaten under Giovanni van Bronckhorst after earning a 1-1 draw with Lyon to cement their place as runners-up in Group A.
In a dead-rubber, with Lyon guaranteed to finish top and Rangers booked in for the runners-up spot, the visitors took the lead on 41 minutes when Scott Wright’s deflected shot found the corner of the net.
Lyon responded well after the break and levelled when Rayan Cherki’s cross was turned into his own net by Calvin Bassey.
Gers boss Van Bronckhorst had won four out of four since taking over from Steven Gerrard, but he will not be too concerned about the draw as he enjoyed another look at what he has at his disposal against a side who had won five out of five in the group.
Van Bronckhorst, up against long-time friend and fellow Dutchman Peter Bosz in the Lyon dugout, made six changes from Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Dundee and in came Jon McLaughlin, Nathan Patterson, John Lundstram, Wright, Kemar Roofe and Ryan Kent.
Lyon, captained by former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele with ex-Liverpool midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri in support, showed nine changes from the weekend’s game against Bordeaux.
Attacker Karl Toko Ekambi tested McLaughlin with a low drive in the ninth minute before Dembele had a terrific opportunity when he was sent clean through by Shaqiri.
However, with only McLaughlin to beat he failed to connect with his shot properly and the grateful Gers ‘keeper gathered.
The visitors threatened in the 24th minute when Kent found Roofe in space but his curling shot from distance clipped the outside of the post.
Rangers were growing into the game and in the 37th minute, left-back Borna Barisic’s shot from distance was saved by Julian Pollersbeck but the Lyon ‘keeper was beaten four minutes later.
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Rangers then got away with poor marking at two corner kicks and McLaughlin saved from substitute Islam Slimani in the final minute, making an even better block in the final minute of three added on from Kadewere, seconds after Gers substitute Joe Aribo almost got through at the other end.
The Europa League play-off draw takes place in Nyon, Switzerland on December 13.
