Balogun scores own goal, Aribo in action, as Rangers hang on to Europa League hopes alive

Glasgow Rangers hopes of progressing to the last sixteen of the UEFA Europa League ended on Thursday evening following their 1-1 draw with Scandinavian side Brondby on matchday four, BSNSports.com.ng reports. Manager Steven Gerrard handed starts to Super Eagles stars Leon Balogun and Joe Aribo and a third Nigerian player in Calvin Bassey entered the game as a substitute in the 81st minute And despite creating the better openings in the early stages, Rangers failed to hit the back of the net as the striking duo of Alfredo Morelos and Fashion Sakala contrived to waste the visitors’ chances. Even Super Eagles midfielder Joe Aribo could have done better with a header from a Gers’ free-kick, but the former Charlton man’s effort went off target. Broendby made the Scottish champions pay just before the break with their first goal of the group stages. It, however, arrived in unpleasant circumstances for the visitors as Balogun redirected a Christian Cappis corner-kick into his own net. The Nigerian international looked certain to end the match as the villain until Hagi struck a crucial equaliser for Rangers in the 77th minute. Rangers, who are third in Group A, level on four points with second-placed Sparta Prague, remain in contention to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League.