Dessers Denied by Forster in a Dramatic Finale
Ibrox, a fortress of sound and passion, was silenced five minutes from the end when Cyriel Dessers looked destined to seal a dramatic win for Rangers. As the striker turned inside young Archie Gray, the stadium held its collective breath. But Fraser Forster, a name well-known in Glasgow for his heroics during his Celtic days, pulled off a crucial save to deny Dessers.
The 1-1 draw left Tottenham Hotspur frustrated but relieved, as a defeat seemed imminent in a match where Rangers outworked and outplayed them for large stretches.
Spurs Overwhelmed in a Hostile Ibrox
Ange Postecoglou, familiar with the intensity of Ibrox from his time managing Celtic, had likely warned his Spurs squad of the challenge ahead. Yet, his players appeared unprepared, entering the match like tourists in a hostile city.
Rangers were relentless from the start, with Nicolas Raskin setting the tone by dispossessing Rodrigo Bentancur early. Spurs struggled to match Rangers’ physicality and energy, with players like Pedro Porro and Yves Bissouma frequently losing out in midfield battles. On the touchline, Postecoglou’s frustration was palpable as his team looked sluggish and unorganized.
Rangers Capitalize on Spurs’ Sloppiness
The home side’s aggression paid off in the second half. Two minutes after the restart, captain James Tavernier created a moment of brilliance, finding Igamane with a perfect cross. The striker’s confident finish gave Rangers a deserved lead, sending the Ibrox faithful into raptures.
Tottenham, by contrast, were error-prone and unconvincing. Timo Werner and Brennan Johnson struggled, both losing possession regularly before being substituted. The visitors seemed overwhelmed, with Rangers dominating physically and tactically.
Kulusevski Sparks Spurs’ Comeback
Postecoglou turned to his bench, bringing on Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke to salvage the game. Kulusevski made an immediate impact, scoring the equalizer after linking up with Solanke. The goal gave Spurs a lifeline, but Rangers continued to press.
Frantic moments followed, with Tavernier making a crucial defensive block to deny Solanke and Forster producing a brilliant save to thwart Dessers late on.
Rangers Show Signs of Revival
The performance marked a significant improvement for Rangers under Philippe Clement, whose tenure had been under scrutiny until recent weeks. Belligerent, organized, and tactically sharp, this was a Rangers side that hadn’t been seen in some time.
For Spurs, the draw extends their winless run to seven out of eight matches, leaving Postecoglou under increasing pressure. Meanwhile, Rangers turn their focus to the League Cup final against Celtic, a clash that now looks far from a foregone conclusion.
If Rangers can replicate this level of performance, they might have more surprises in store.
