Devlin sees red but Rangers get the win

  • Ryan Naderi scored the only goal as Rangers beat Jablonec 1-0 in the first leg of their Conference League play-off despite seeing Socceroos midfielder Cameron Devlin sent off. 

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It looked set to be another disappointing night until Naderi steered home early in the second half, and even after Devlin's dismissal, Rangers were able to hold on for the win. 

Vanja Dragojevic came close to giving Rangers a 14th-minute lead, but he dragged his shot just wide of the right post before Djeidi Gassama floated an attempt way over. 

James Penrice then forced Jablonec goalkeeper Jan Hanus into his first save of the match before Dragojevic struck the base of the left post from inside the penalty area after being brilliantly teed up by Naderi with his back to goal. 

Rangers were unable to find the breakthrough before half-time, but needed just five minutes of the second half to go ahead when Daisuke Yokota's header back across goal was tucked home by Naderi after Dan Neil's  cross into the box. 

Gassama should have put Rangers two goals in front six minutes later after he was found unmarked at the back post by Naderi, but he volleyed over the bar from six yards out. 

Rangers were made to see out the final 16 minutes with a man less after Devlin, who had only been introduced five minutes earlier, was sent off for a high challenge on Jiri Slama, with the decision given after a VAR review. 

However, the visitor could not manage to make the numerical advantage count in the closing stages and Rangers will now take a narrow advantage into next week's second leg in Czechia as they look to confirm their spot in the Conference League proper.

Cameron Peter Devlin
Cameron Peter Devlin
Rangers FC