A SINKING feeling ascended over Ibrox last night as Braga scored from their first foray into the Rangers penalty box.

David Carmo’s thumping header was cruel punishment for a plethora of missed chances at the other end. An apathetic spell followed from the hosts as fears of missed opportunitiy threatened to be realised. The tempo slowed, passes were misplaced and confidence across the board looked to disappear. Could one moment of fragility undo all of the good work required to reach this moment?

Giovanni van Bronckhorst needed a leader; someone to stand up and refute the growing reputation beefed up by domestic failures that this group cannot cope with in-game setbacks.

It was fitting, therefore, that having hit the woodwork and seen two goals chopped off by VAR, Kemar Roofe arrived on queue. James Tavernier broke the line, Glen Kamara continued the move, Joe Aribo found the space and turned a convincing ball across the face of goal for his teammate to convert. It was the moment of precision and coherence required to tip the balance back in Rangers’ favour.

Full-time brought scenes of elation as a side who started their European story last July took that journey into May. Responding to the crowd’s pre-match request, Rangers continue to make their supporters believe that the impossible dream of European success can be realised. Anything seems possible on a Thursday night at Ibrox.

Approaching the tie a goal down, the home side required a fast start to formulate a position of control. Aided by the dismissal of Vitor Tormena their performance and result was convincing and commanding until the Portuguese side scored late to force extra time.

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Tavernier had the ball in the net before the two-minute mark as parity was quickly reinstated. The crowd drew a collective breath full of expectancy as Borna Barisic revved up his left foot to deliver, the sound of chairs folding in on themselves as supporters crouch in hope is usually reserved for shooting opportunities, rather than acts of provision. However, the Croatian's delivery is of such quality that, when on form, his interventions come with the promise of goals. 

His cross wasn’t converted cleanly but after making its way to Tavernier, with a little help from Aribo, the deadlock was broken. The captain’s fifth goal in the knock-out stage was followed by a sixth from the penalty spot later in the first half.

In a breathless first half, the starring role of Barisic was poetic. As the song says he “comes and goes”. Like this team, he is capable of undeniable quality and unexplainable inconsistency. The unfortunate protagonist of a crushing Old Firm defeat in February and a key player in the unforeseen progression into the Europa League semi-finals. Rangers’ very own method actor.

Visiting manager Carlos Carvalhal said his team had come to win on the night and their aggression facilitated van Bronckhorst’s script for victory.

The Dutchman pushed Tavernier high on one side to free up Aaron Ramsey’s central runs as Ryan Jack dropped into right-back to help build the play. Aribo, Roofe and Ryan Kent formed the remainder of the front five who constantly sought to attack the space behind the high visiting backline.

The sixth member of the hosts’ attacking entourage, Barisic, arrived with great effect when play had moved into the attacking third, meaning the Croatian’s involvement was often untracked, leading to the opener and the disallowed second.

Tavernier’s penalty was also the product of direct approach play over the top of the defence. The run of Ramsey required enough attention to leave Roofe free and when fouled by Tormena a red card was inevitable. 

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Carmo’s equaliser followed countless chances that were left unfinished and given the scar tissue of previously sacrifice leads, the crowd’s celebration turned to anxiety with the tie delicately poised at 2-2. Every Braga break into the final third was met with irritation and anger. Memories of Malmo, the first tie in this astonishing continental journey, surfaced as the failure to capitalise on a position of strength became plausible.  

This time the script was different. Rather than flinging endless crosses at a willing defence, the rediscovery of attacking rhythms that had created so many glorious chances provided Roofe with the opportunity to seal progression. Too often in these situations, Rangers' passes feel safe and risks are rare; Tavernier’s willingness to take a chance and get his team into a promising area, instead of hitting the box, was dictatorial.

Players enjoyed a deserved lap of honour in front of a full, adoring audience at full-time. Their achievement to reach this stage is seismic but not surprising, they’re suited to the space of continental football and feeding off the energy of the crowd, they can reach their peak performance level.

Last night was another significant step forward to the realisation of a seemingly impossible dream, that would defy the financial blockades of modern football and rival any great sporting story.

It was achieved by not only rising to the occasion but standing up and responding to in-game adversity.