(Action Images via Reuters)
Michael Beale’s Rangers get underway in the Europa League tonight after a tough time in the Champions League qualifiers saw them drop out of the competition after a 5-1 defeat against PSV.
The 2022 finalists face Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis, who haven’t managed to make it past the round of 16 since their debut in the renamed edition of the European tournament in 2013–14.
This is the first-ever meeting between the two sides, and each will hope to get some valuable points in the board to try and secure automatic qualification for the knockout stages. Follow all the latest updates from LASK vs Liverpool below and get all the latest football odds here.
Rangers vs Real Betis – Europa League LIVE
Kick-off at 8pm BST
Group C also sees Sparta Prague face Aris Limassol
Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier (C), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Cifuentes, Lawrence, Matondo, Sima, Roofe
Betis XI: Bravo, Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Abner, Rodriguez, Marc Roca, Luiz Henrique, Isco, Ez Abde, Iglesias
Rangers FC 0 – 0 Real Betis Balompié
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
21:07 , George Litchfield
45 mins: Kick off! Kemar Roofe gets us back underway here in Glasgow.
Play is stopped inside the first 30-seconds as Henrique goes down after contact with Barisic.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
21:05 , George Litchfield
The atmosphere is lively at The Ibrox, and Michael Beale’s side will want to start the second half strongly and build on the momentum they picked up at the end of the first half.
Abde Ez has looked like Real’s danger man so far (Action Images via Reuters)
Abdallah Sima had a half-chance in the 40th minute, but couldn’t put his side ahead (Getty Images)
HT: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:57 , George Litchfiel
A fairly even contest so far, with both sides struggling for fluency and having a couple of decent chances.
Real Betis probably edged out the early stages of the first half, with Abde Ez’s direct running at the opposition defence standing out in particular for the Spanish side.
It was Rabbi Matondo who had the clearest chance of the half however, being played in behind but eventually hitting a tame shot at Bravo after not setting himself properly.
A good save from Jack Butland then prevented Abde Ez from striking on target, although the official decision was given as a goal-kick.
Rangers initially looked most dangerous when they looked to play it long behind the Betis defence, but grew in momentum towards the end of the half, and finished strongly.
Abdallah Sima had a half chance after the ball fell to him from cross directed towards Matondo, but Bravo was again grateful with the resulting weak effort.
It’s difficult to predict how this game will finish, but a draw wouldn’t be suprising right now.
Half-time: Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:50 , George Litchfield
45+3: Half Time! Real Betis intercept a loose Rangers pass, and look to recycle possession through Pezzella, but the referee blows for half-time.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:47 , George Litchfiel
44 mins: Matonda down the left tries a strike from range which is well wide to the right of Bravo’s goal.
Rangers have certainly picked up momentum in the closing stages of the half.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:46 , George Litchfield
42 mins: Some fantastic skill from Tom Lawrence, who picks up the ball in the middle and almost looks like he is about the weave through the whole defence as he beats one Betis man after another.
Bartra manages to get a toe-in to prevent Lawrence being clean through.
Great play by the Welshman.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:44 , George Litchfield
40 mins: Barisic plays a quality cross into the box, where Matonda attempts to meet a header but is challenged by a Betis defender.
Sima follows in and a tame effort from the forward is comfortably held by Bravo.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:42 , George Litchfield
38 mins: Kemar Roofe tries to find Sima with a cross into the box, but the ball actually falls deep at the far post to James Tavernier.
The fullback plays the ball back into the box again, where Sima flails widely in an acrobatic attempt, with Rangers eventually gaining a throw in down the right-hand side.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:38 , George Litchfield
34 mins: Save! Cifuentes is robbed of the ball in midfield, and Ez Abde again manages to break forward and fires a shot across the Rangers goal towards the far post.
The referee gives a goal-kick, but replays show it was actually a fantastic save from Jack Butland to keep the strike out.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:35 , George Litchfield
32 mins: Rangers win a corner, which is immediately headed out for a second after they opt to not take it short this time.
Tom Lawrence is alert to the resulting second ball, but Rangers fail to create anything meaningful and an overhit pass results in a Betis goal-kick.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:33 , George Litchfield
29 mins: Chance! A delightful ball from Roca, who lofts a ball over the top straight through the two Rangers centre-backs from just over the half-way line.
Ez Abde’s touch is poor though, and the winger fires over the bar wildly. A better set and it would’ve been a really good chance for Pelligrini’s side.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:30 , George Litchfield
26 mins: Ez Abde is looking dangerous for Betis.
The left-winger is more than willing to take on his man, and has managed to almost break through in the box on a number of occasions.
Rangers have had the best chance of the match however through Matondo, and there isn’t much to seperate the two teams.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:25 , George Litchfield
21 mins: Chance! Bravo finds a good long pass to Abner, who plays the ball on to Ezzalzouli.
The winger manages to break in behind the defence, and tries a shot from a tight angle against Butland.
The goalkeeper’s save is unconvincing as it is palmed back into the area, but the ball is eventually cleared to safety.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:21 , George Litchfield
18 mins: Rangers are struggling to find passes in midfield so far in the early part of this game, and have gifted the ball straight back to Manuel Pelligrini’s side on a number of occassions.
So far they have looked most dangerous when looking for the long ball in-behind.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:20 , George Litchfield
16 mins: A slight break in play as Ezzalzouli receives treatment following a head clash with Ben Davies.
The 21-year-old is soon up and ready to go, and a drop ball restarts the game.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:18 , George Litchfield
15 mins: Matondo has gifted possession to Betis a couple of times now, with the Spanish side winning a corner after an extended spell around Rangers’ box.
The resulting delivery is headed away comfortably, with Betis retaining possession in the final third of the pitch, before Ezzalzouli’s long range effort is comfortably dealt with by Butland.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:15 , George Litchfield
11 mins: Bravo shanks out a clearance on his left foot, for Rangers to have a throw deep into the Spanish side’s half.
Michael Beale’s men fail to keep possession however and Igelsias eventually wins a free-kick.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:12 , George Litchfield
9 mins: Betis understandbly look as though they will probably control the majority of possession in this match, with Rangers looking to punish the Spanish side by breaking forward with pace should they rob them of the ball.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:07 , George Litchfiel
4 mins: Chance! A fantastic outside of the boot pass from Kemar Roofe plays Rabbi Matondo through from just past the half-way line, but the winger couldn’t set himself properly and ended up hitting a tame shot at Bravo who clutched onto the ball gratefully.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:06 , George Litchfiel
3 mins: A Betis corner is headed away, but a resulting delivery whipped in from the second phase looked very dangerous.
Luckily the ball ran out for Rangers to take possession.
Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:05 , George Litchfiel
1’ – A loose ball from Betis aimed at Pezzella is intercepted by Kemar Roofe, but the referee blows for a foul in the build-up before the forward can try and create a chance.
Kick off! Rangers 0-0 Real Betis
20:03 , George Litchfield
Betis get us underway here at The Ibrox, immediately trying some quick combination passing down the left-hand side which peters out for a Rangers throw.
Rangers v Real Betis – LIVE
19:58 , George Litchfield
Here come the teams.
Michael Beale when interviewed moments ago said he’s gone as bold as he can with his selection and is looking to take the game to Betis.
Rangers’ 2022 European run proved where they belong
19:53 , George Litchfiel
On many levels, clubs like Real Madrid and Rangers exist and operate in different spheres. But what they share, through being two of European football’s great old clubs, is the belief they belong on stages such as these.
For Rangers, this central character complex survived even when they were demoted down to the fourth tier of Scottish football.
More on Rangers’ 2022 Europa League run:
The power of Rangers’ European run is in proving where they belong
Rangers v Real Betis: 10 minutes until kick-off
19:50 , George Litchfield
Rangers’ Europa League campaign will get underway shortly against Spanish side Real Betis, with it being only 10 minutes until kick-off.
Both sides have struggled for consistency so far this season, although Betis have the far poorer defensive record having conceded ten goals from their opening five games in La Liga.
This one feels like it could have a few goals in it.
It’s Bravo for Betis!
19:44 , George Litchfield
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo does indeed take the place of the injured Rui Silva tonight.
It will be the 40 year-old’s first appearance of the season tonight.
Pellegrini was uncertain whether he would be able to select his second-choice goalkeeper before the match, and may have had to rely on third-choice Francisco Vieites who has very limited experience at the top level.
Rangers unbeaten in six at home in Europa League
19:37 , George Litchfield
Rangers are unbeaten in their last six matches at The Ibrox in the Europa League.
The Scottish side have only lost three games at home in the competition since it was renamed in 2009.
They’ll be hoping to keep this streak going against Betis tonight as the Europa League group stages get underway.
19:30 , George Litchfield
Betis XI: Bravo, Bellerin, Pezzella, Bartra, Abner, Rodriguez, Marc Roca, Luiz Henrique, Isco, Ez Abde, Iglesias
Michael Beale defensive after booing from home fans
19:24 , George Litchfield
Michael Beale’s Rangers side were booed following a 1-0 defeat at home against Old Firm rivals Celtic.
The start of the season hasn’t been ideal for Beale, who are already four points behind their Glasgow rivals after also losing to Kilmarnock.
Michael Beale urges Rangers to ‘dust themselves down’ and be ready after break
Pellegrini says Scottish football is about ‘passion’
19:17 , George Litchfiel
Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini said he understood what Scottish football was about when discussing tonight’s fixture.
The veteran manager said: “I think I have a very good idea of what Scottish football is. It is about passion, direct football, fighting for every goal, trying to go box to box as quickly as they can.
“The intensity of the game is maybe not the same as Spain but it is something we must consider tomorrow because in 95 minutes they play 100 per cent, technical and physical.
“I had the chance to come here not only as a manager and I also came to watch Celtic v Rangers when I was in England as a coach. It is great football with great fans.”
Rangers Changes
19:14 , George Litchfield
Michael Beales makes several changes to his side which beat St. Johnstone last weekend.
Borna BarišiÄ comes in at left-back for Ridvan Yilmaz, and José Cifuentes replaces the injured Nicholas Raskin.
Rabbi Matondo and Abdallah Sima replace Sam Lammers and Danilo going forward.
Rangers line-up
19:09 , George Litchfield
Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier (C), Goldson, Davies, Barisic, Lundstram, Cifuentes, Lawrence, Matondo, Sima, Roofe
Rangers v Real Betis – LIVE
19:02 , George Litchfield
Rangers are without midfielders Todd Cantwell and Nicolas Raskin, while Kieran Dowell is out with a knee injury and Steven Davis hasn’t yet recovered from a cruciate ligament injury.
Striker Danilo will also not feature following surgery on a fractured cheekbone.
Real Betis face problems in the goal-keeping department after Rui Silva was forced off in his side’s 5-0 defeat to Barcelona last weekend, with Claudio Bravo an uncertainty for the Spanish side.
Manager Manuel Pelligrini said pre-match he was hopeful the 40-year-old would be able to start after returning to training, but the Chilean may be forced to play third-choice Francisco Vietes who only made his top-division debut in the drumming against Barça.
Rangers v Real Betis – LIVE
19:00 , George Litchfield
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Europa League group-stage action, as Real Betis head to Glasgow to face Rangers.
Michael Beale hasn’t enjoyed the best start this season in the Scottish Premier League, and will be hoping that a good performance tonight can lift a bit of the pressure.
After reportedly having his job offered to Graham Potter, who turned down the role, a good start in Europe is key for the 43-year-old.
Real Betis changes
19:29 , George Litchfield
Manuel Pellegrini has joined Michael Beale in making quite a few changes to the team who lost heavily to Barcelona last weekend.
Defenders Juan Miranda and Chadi Riad are replaced by Germán Pezzella and Abner.
Sergi Altimira drops out of holding midfield for Guido Rodriguez, while former Premier League man Ayoze Perez is dropped for Ezzalzouli Abde.
