RANGERS HAVE ONE FOOT IN THE LAST EIGHT

In terms of the performance, there will be areas that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will look at and small issues that he will want to address ahead of the return leg next week.

But the Dutchman couldn’t have asked for more in terms of the result. This was a wonderful evening for Rangers and the champions are on course for a place in the quarter-finals.

Once again, the Europa League brought out the best in Rangers. Time will tell just how far they can now go.

The penalty from James Tavernier and terrific finish from Alfredo Morelos had Rangers in the driving seat. It is Leon Balogun’s towering header that has put them in total control.

The job is not done and the tie is not won. Rangers will have to be wary heading to Belgrade, but what a position they have put themselves in as they attempt to claim another notable Europa League scalp.

VAR GETS IT RIGHT

The advantages of the VAR system were evident for all to see during the win over Borussia Dortmund. Indeed, it has only heightened frustration that Premiership referees do not have the same backup as mistakes are made too regularly in Scotland.

Serdar Gözübüyük took his time before deciding to award a spot kick after Slavoljub Srnić clipped Ryan Kent when he jinked into the area. It wasn’t a clear-cut penalty, but it was the right call to award it.

The offside decisions that went in Rangers’ favour in the first half as Aleksandar Katai was twice denied were marginal and VAR would later confirm that Ben Nabouhane’s goal was rightly ruled out as the technology played its part.

MCGREGOR SILENCES HIS IBROX CRITICS

Form is temporary but class is permanent. If these are the final months of Allan McGregor’s career, then supporters should savour him while they still can.

His position as first choice keeper has come under scrutiny in recent times and some fans have been calling for Van Bronckhorst to make a change between the sticks.

Once again, McGregor repaid his faith here. The penalty save from Katai – as he got down smartly to his right and got a strong hand on a well-struck effort – was a defining moment in the game as Red Star were denied a quickfire response to Rangers’ second goal.

Some of the mistakes that McGregor has made this term have been uncharacteristic but he is still the best keeper in Scotland and still capable of such crucial interventions when his side need him most.