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Spurs narrowly spared embarrassment of being first English club to lose to Scottish rivals for 18 years

Dejan Kulusevski brought Spurs level with a cool finish
Dejan Kulusevski brought Spurs level with a cool finish in a raucous atmosphere - PA/Jane Barlow

Substitute Dejan Kulusevski spared Tottenham Hotspur the embarrassment of becoming the first English club to lose a so-called “Battle of Britain” contest against Scottish opposition in 18 years.

A draw against Rangers may not lift much of the pressure on head coach Ange Postecoglou, but it did at least mean he escaped what could have been a damaging defeat on his return to Glasgow, where he managed Celtic.

Not since Celtic beat Manchester United in 2006 had a Scottish team beaten an English club and Hamza Igamane looked to have put Rangers on course for what would have been a famous Europa League victory.

But Kulusevski, as well as a stunning late save from former Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster, earned Spurs what the home fans would no doubt argue was an undeserved draw.

Postecoglou had tried to rest Kulusevski by naming him on the bench, but the Australian was forced to throw on three of his big guns to rescue a draw that kept Spurs just outside the top eight of the Europa League table.

It will be a major concern to Postecoglou that Spurs threatened so little with Son Heung-min, Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner, who all started up front.

The fact Postecoglou so publicly called out Werner, who he had been careful to protect until Thursday night, would suggest that his patience is starting to wear very thin.

Postecoglou’s team have still not won since thrashing Manchester City and have now managed just one victory in their past eight games in all competitions.

On Sunday, they travel to bottom-of-the-league Southampton, where anything less than a win will be viewed as a terrible result. On Thursday night’s evidence, three points are anything but guaranteed.

The loud atmosphere inside Ibrox did not extend into anything too intimidating for Postecoglou himself. He did not hide, standing on the edge of his technical area, but there were no songs or chants directed at him.

In fact, it was Postecoglou’s players, rather than the Rangers supporters, who made him feel uncomfortable.

Tottenham were trailing to Igamane’s second-half goal and had managed just two shots on target against a weakened Rangers team, when Kulusevski and fellow substitute Dominic Solanke combined to pull Postecoglou’s side level with 15 minutes remaining.

Solanke played the ball across the penalty area, James Maddison shielded it into the path of Kulusevski and the Swede produced a clinical finish to beat Jack Butland.

It was a rare moment of quality from a Tottenham team, who, yet again, conceded a number of chances and were wasteful in possession.

Postecoglou had cut a frustrated figure for much of the contest, but he and the travelling supporters breathed a huge sigh of relief when Forster produced a brilliant late save to deny Rangers substitute Cyriel Dessers.

Forster spent five years, over two different spells, at Celtic and that did not escape the home fans. He was loudly booed every time he touched the ball, but it was the 36-year-old who had the last laugh after producing an excellent performance.

In the first half, he did well to tip Nedim Bajrami’s shot over the bar after Werner had given the ball away up the other end of the pitch.

Werner shot over the bar for Tottenham during a nervy opening 10 minutes for the visitors and Son directed a weak effort at Butland from Maddison’s cut-back.

Pedro Porro was wasteful with the ball and one stray pass resulted in Mohamed Diomande firing over. Vaclav Cerny had a shot saved by Forster, while Bajrami was inches from getting on the end of a dangerous cross.

Werner miscontrolled a promising pass out of defence that had threatened to catch out Rangers and Postecoglou swapped between folding his arms in front of him and stretching them out either side to indicate his dissatisfaction.

There was a blow for the home team just after the hour mark, as central defender John Souttar was forced off with an injury and was replaced by Leon Balogun.

Rangers' Scottish defender #05 John Souttar leaves the pitch injured during the UEFA Europa League, League Phase football match between Rangers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on December 12, 2024.
John Souttar was forced from the field through injury - Getty Images/Andy Buchanan

The only real positive for Postecoglou at the half-time break was that his team were still level and it was not a surprise that he dragged Werner off for Kulusevski.

The change did not make an immediate impact as, two minutes into the second half, Rangers took the lead and Ibrox erupted. James Tavernier produced a deep cross and Igamane finished clinically past Forster.

The goal left Tottenham with a daunting task as the noise inside the stadium went up several levels and gave the home team an injection of energy.

Rangers looked like they were going to double their lead when a wonderful break from Ridvan Yilmaz finished with him playing Cerny into the penalty area, but the winger could not quite get his shot away.

Igamane was a whisker from turning in Bajrami’s cross and Diomande had a shot deflected just wide of Forster’s right-hand post.

Postecoglou responded by making a treble change, sending on Solanke, Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall to try to rescue the game for Spurs. Ultimately, it worked.

It was from Tottenham’s best move of the evening that Kulusevski equalised and, finally, the travelling supporters could make themselves heard inside Ibrox. They cheered Forster’s point-blank save from Dessers almost as loudly as they had Kulusevski’s goal.

Dessers briefly thought he had won it in the final five minutes, when the striker did put the ball in the net but was flagged offside. For Tottenham and Postecoglou, it was a lucky escape.


10:26 PM GMT

Postecoglou finding it difficult at Ibrox


10:24 PM GMT

Ange Postecoglou talking post-match


10:21 PM GMT

James Tavernier speaking to TNT

“We are disappointed we did not come away with three points. We had chances to put away the game. We take a point and it puts us in a good position. There have been a few tweaks in the formation and the way we are playing over the last few weeks. We saw a weakness in Tottenham in the transition when they send numbers forward attacking. I love this competition and playing against the best sides in Europe is what you want to do. I love this club and these are the special nights playing in Europe. You heard how electric the fans were tonight. We have to keep the same energy and desire on Sunday [against Celtic].”


10:15 PM GMT

James McFadden on BBC Radio 5 Live

“Tottenham were really poor in the first half. They did not have any energy. It looked like a lot of players thought they could turn up here and play however they wanted.

“However, Rangers showed them they are no pushovers. They controlled the game in the first half and should have been ahead. But they came out in the second half and got the reward for their performance.

“There was a slight improvement from Spurs after the changes, but in the end they did not do enough. A draw is a brilliant result for Rangers.”


10:13 PM GMT

The thoughts of Philippe Clement


10:06 PM GMT

One win in eight for Postecoglou


10:06 PM GMT

James McFadden on BBC Radio 5 Live

“Most people expected Spurs to come here and do a number on Rangers, but credit to the home side, they have stood up to that.

“It was a really strong performance. Every single player who played did well for Rangers.

“Philippe Clement has been under immense pressure in recent times, but this performance shows his team is heading in the right direction.”


10:05 PM GMT

Ally McCoist on TNT

“What a game. Two teams going at it, not caring too much about defending at times.

“A wonderful game.”


10:04 PM GMT

State of play

Rangers remain ahead of Tottenham on goal difference and sit in eighth place in the big league standings on 11 points. Manchester United are up to seventh after their late winner at Plzen earlier.


10:01 PM GMT

Tonight’s Europa League matches

Hoffenheim 0-0 FCSB

Ludogorets 2-2 AZ Alkmaar

Malmo 2-2 Galatasaray

Olympiakos 0-0 Twente

PAOK 5-0 Ferencvaros

Roma 3-0 Braga

Union SG 2-1 Nice

Plzen 1-2 Manchester United

Ajax 1-3 Lazio

Bodo/ Glimt 2-1 Besiktas

Elfsborg 1-0 Qarabag

Maccabi TA 2-1 RFS

Lyon 3-2 Frankfurt

Porto 2-0 Midtjylland

Rangers 1-1 Tottenham

Real Sociedad 3-0 Dynamo Kyiv

Slavia Prague 1-2 Anderlecht


09:58 PM GMT

Dejan Kulusevski speaking to TNT


09:55 PM GMT

Match stats

Possession: Rangers 41%-59% Tottenham

Shots: 15-13

Shots on target: 6-4

Corners: 7-7

Touches in opposition box: 23-24


09:52 PM GMT

Full time

There is the final whistle and it ends all square at Ibrox. Igamane had given Rangers the lead but Kulusevski equalised. Both sides were only separated by goal difference going into the game and they still are.


09:51 PM GMT

90+2 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Just 60 seconds left of added time. Can either side find a late winner?


09:49 PM GMT

90 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Maddison dinks a cross to Solanke but his header lacks power. It looked a great chance for the Tottenham striker but he could not get the contact he wanted.

Three added minutes at the end of this match.


09:47 PM GMT

88 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Is Bergvall lucky to still be on the pitch? He commits a foul deep in his own half and it appears initially like the referee is going to book him but resists the temptation to do so.


09:46 PM GMT

87 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Dessers has the ball in the back of the net but the offside flag is immediately up. The ball is sent to the back post, where Dessers slots home but he along with two of his teammates was clearly offside.


09:44 PM GMT

85 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Nearly a stunning goal from Dessers. He does brilliantly inside the Tottenham box as he beats a few defenders but Forster makes a great save to deny him. Most of Ibrox thought that was the moment they were going to retake the lead.


09:42 PM GMT

82 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Tavernier makes a crucial block to deny Solanke inside the Rangers penalty area.


09:40 PM GMT

81 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Tottenham have a corner after Kulusevski’s cross is deflected behind. Kulusevski only just kept the ball in play on the byline. The corner is sent in but Rangers win a free-kick in the box.

Just under 10 minutes left of normal time. Will either side find a winner? Going into this match only goal difference separated the sides.


09:38 PM GMT

79 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 1

Igamane is down, perhaps suffering from some cramp, and is going to have to come off.

Rangers double change:

OFF Igamane, Yilmaz

ON Dessers, Fraser

Hamza Igamane down receiving treatment
Igamane needs to be replaced - Andy Buchanan/Getty Images

09:34 PM GMT

GOAL! Kulusevski equalises for Tottenham

Tottenham likely would have a penalty anyway but they do not need it. Kulusevski plays it forward into the path of Solanke, who lays it across to Maddison, who is taken out inside the box after letting the ball come across him, but Kulusevski is on hand to slot home first time past Butland to make it 1-1. Rangers will be kicking themselves that during their period of dominance they did not add to Igamane’s goal at the start of the half.


09:32 PM GMT

72 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Bergvall is booked for a challenge on Raskin. Slightly harsh yellow as Bergvall played the ball first as he was in possession. He did catch Raskin but not particularly high or dangerously.


09:27 PM GMT

69 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Ranges counter from a Tottenham corner through Yilmaz and Dragusin is booked for pulling him down to the ground.

Double Rangers change:

OFF Bajrami, Cerny

ON Barron, Sterling


09:25 PM GMT

66 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Porro has an effort on the right-hand side of the Rangers penalty area from a narrow angle which is saved well by Butland.

Pedro Porro takes on a shot
Tottenham looking to get back in the game - Lee Smith/Reuters

09:23 PM GMT

64 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Maddison wants a penalty but is given a free-kick as Raskin was caught in possession on the edge of his own box and fouled the Tottenham defender. That is a good decision as the foul took place just outside. Maddison will take the free-kick he won. He lays it off to Kulusevski, who gives it straight back to him. He tries to curl one into the top corner but his effort goes sailing over the bar.


09:20 PM GMT

61 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Bergvall is only just on but he has a shot within moments of being brought on. He takes on an effort first time from the edge of the box but his shot goes just wide.


09:19 PM GMT

60 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Rangers are slightly fortunate there. Tottenham play the ball in behind and Jefte heads back to his keeper Butland, who had come a long way out and there was nearly too much on the header. Butland just about keeps hold of the ball and they can laugh about it.

Triple Tottenham change:

OFF Bentancur, Bissouma, Johnson

ON Sarr, Bergvall, Solanke


09:17 PM GMT

58 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Rangers have a corner on the right and take it short. They work it really nicely and Forster does well to smother a cross.

Moments later Diomande takes a shot on first time from just outside the box and Dragusin makes an important block. Rangers sense another goal and they should cash in on their dominance at the moment.

The corner is swung and the last touch comes off Gray, resulting in another corner. The inswinger is headed away by Tottenham.

Fraser Forster smothers the cross
Rangers knocking on the door for a second - Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

09:15 PM GMT

55 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

After Rangers cannot quite capitalise on a move going forward, near the corner flag Igamane does some showboating. Still a while left in the game but clearly shows the confidence he is playing with after his goal.


09:13 PM GMT

54 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Johnson should do better. Kulusevski pulls one across the box and finds Johnson. The Welshman has time and space to take the shot on but he misses the target as he attempted to strike one into the top corner. At the very least he should have hit the target.

Brennan Johnson reacts after missing a chance
Chance to equalise for Tottenham - Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images

09:11 PM GMT

52 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Cerny shows great footwork to make his way through the Tottenham penalty area but Dragusin does enough to stop him. Rangers know a second goal is for the taking as Tottenham are on the ropes.


09:09 PM GMT

50 mins: Rangers 1 Tottenham 0

Cerny cuts inside onto his left foot and shoots from just outside the box but Forster gets down to make a fairly comfortable save. Ibrox is bouncing right now and the home side smell blood.


09:05 PM GMT

GOAL! Igamane gives Rangers the lead

Ibrox explodes! Not even two minutes into the second half and the home side take the lead. Tavernier sends in a cross to the back post, where Igamane hits it first time with his left foot and beats Forster with a good finish. Perfect start to this second half for Philippe Clement’s side, the worst for Ange Postecoglou. That is now four goals for Igamane in the Europa League this season.


09:04 PM GMT

Second half

As Rangers make their way out of the tunnel for the second half, a few minutes after Tottenham emerged, they are serenaded by Tina Turner’s ‘Simply The Best’. The crowd liked that.

We are back under way at Ibrox. Ange Postecoglou is making a change at the break as Kulusevski is replacing Werner.


08:56 PM GMT

Tonight’s Europa League matches

5.45pm UK time kick-offs (all at FT):

Hoffenheim 0-0 FCSB

Ludogorets 2-2 AZ Alkmaar

Malmo 2-2 Galatasaray

Olympiakos 0-0 Twente

PAOK 5-0 Ferencvaros

Roma 3-0 Braga

Union SG 2-1 Nice

Plzen 1-2 Manchester United

8pm kick-offs (all at HT):

Ajax 0-1 Lazio

Bodo/ Glimt 2-1 Besiktas

Elfsborg 0-0 Qarabag

Maccabi TA 1-0 RFS

Lyon 1-1 Frankfurt

Porto 1-0 Midtjylland

Rangers 0-0 Tottenham

Real Sociedad 3-0 Dynamo Kyiv

Slavia Prague 0-2 Anderlecht


08:50 PM GMT

Match stats

Possession: Rangers 44%-56% Tottenham

Shots: 9-6

Shots on target: 3-1

Corners: 3-4

Touches in opposition box: 9-10


08:47 PM GMT

Half time

There is the half-time whistle and it remains goalless at the break. Considering how open the game has been it is a surprise there have been no goals in that first half.


08:47 PM GMT

45+1 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Chance right at the end of the first half for the home side as Cerny drives a shot towards goal from the right-hand side of the box and Tottenham then clear the rebound.


08:46 PM GMT

45 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

There will be one added minute at the end of this first half.


08:43 PM GMT

43 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Rangers work it well on the edge of the box and it is shifted out to Cerny on the right-hand side of the area, but he did not take the shot. Why did he not shoot? It is recycled back to Tavernier, who overhits his cross. Rangers have got themselves into good positions but have lacked any cutting edge in the final third.


08:42 PM GMT

41 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Tavernier takes no risks at the far post and puts it behind for a corner, which is taken short. It is then whipped in and it misses everyone, going behind for a goal-kick.


08:40 PM GMT

39 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Butland makes a mess of a ball forward and passes it straight to Maddison. As the Tottenham midfielder plays it wide, he is fouled by Raskin and Tottenham will have a free-kick around 30 yards out. That was terrible from Butland, who has now had a few terrible clearances.

Maddison clips the free-kick towards Johnson and the last touch is adjudged to have come off Yilmaz, who is furious with that decision. He let the ball go out of play thinking the last touch was off Johnson.

Son’s corner finds Bentancur at the near post but the header goes nowhere near the target. Tottenham keep it alive and Werner sends in dangerous cross from the left-hand side of the box. He finds Johnson, whose effort is saved well by Butland but the offside flag is up against Johnson.


08:35 PM GMT

35 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Souttar is coming off, clutching his groin, and he will be replaced by Balogun. He will now be a serious doubt for Rangers’ League Cup final against Celtic on Sunday.

John Souttar walks off injured
Injury blow for Rangers - Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

08:34 PM GMT

33 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Play has been stopped as Souttar is down and it certainly appears he will be unable to continue. He picked up the knock whilst passing the ball.


08:33 PM GMT

32 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Cerny, who has been one of Rangers’ best players so far tonight, goes from range but his effort goes just over Forster’s bar.


08:31 PM GMT

31 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Werner puts it behind for a corner despite Jefte’s cross from the left being overhit. The German took no risks but he could have shown more composure and the hosts will have the chance to send a delivery into the box.

The corner is sent in but Tottenham clear their lines.


08:30 PM GMT

29 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

The game is very open and end-to-end at the moment with not much ‘proper defending’ going on. A goal is surely incoming.


08:27 PM GMT

26 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Jefte hits a dangerous ball across the face of the six-yard box and Bajrami looks like he will tap it in but somehow misses the ball. That probably should have been 1-0 to the home side.

The ball fizzes across the box
Chance for the hosts - Lee Smith/Reuters

08:26 PM GMT

25 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Tottenham counter and have numbers on Rangers. Son can see Johnson in acres of space on the right but Jefte does just enough to get back and allow Rangers to clear.

At the other end the ball is lifted into the right-hand channel, where Cerny hits it first-time but it is straight at Forster.


08:25 PM GMT

23 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Jefte cuts inside to beat Porro and shoots from the left-hand side. His effort is blocked by Gray and goes behind for a corner, which creates a huge roar inside Ibrox. Tavernier sends it in but Bentancur wins the header.


08:22 PM GMT

20 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

The first booking of the night goes to Diomande for handball, which means he will miss Rangers’ next Europa League match against Manchester United.

Werner sends in a cross from the left which just evades Son and Rangers can clear.


08:17 PM GMT

15 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Raskin loses the ball poorly in his own half and Bissouma wins it off him. The ball comes to Johnson, who cannot take the shot from the edge of the box, but it comes back to Maddison, whose effort is deflected over for a corner. Maddison sends it in but Rangers manage to clear their lines.

James Maddison has a shot blocked
Putting your body on the line - Russell Cheyne/Reuters

08:14 PM GMT

13 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Jefte pulls Johnson back cynically but is perhaps a little fortunate not to receive a yellow card. If that had been later in the game you would imagine a booking would have come there.

Jefte holds back Johnson
Yellow or no yellow? - Russell Cheyne/Reuters

08:12 PM GMT

12 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Maddison pulls one back from the byline and finds his captain Son. His first-time effort lacks much power and Butland gets down easily to make the save.


08:12 PM GMT

10 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Bajrami takes on an effort from the right-hand side of the Tottenham penalty area first time and his shot forces Forster to tip it just over.

Rangers take the corner short and then Cerny sends it in. Forster punches it out to just outside the box but Yilmaz cannot keep his effort down and it goes sailing over.

Fraser Forster tips the ball over the bar
Tipped over - Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty Images

08:10 PM GMT

8 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Udogie lays it off to Werner on the left-hand side of the box and the German takes it first time. He opens up his body and tries to find the far corner but his effort goes just over the bar. It looked like Butland may have had it covered anyway.


08:06 PM GMT

5 mins: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

With no Romero or Van de Ven tonight, Ange Postecoglou has named Gray and Dragusin at centre-back. Rangers will want to go after that very makeshift pairing, especially as Gray is predominantly a midfielder. There is also no Davies, who has been used by Postecoglou at centre-half on occasions.

Rangers play a ball in behind for Igamane to run onto but Dragusin just about deals with the danger with some help from Forster. In the end the offside flag is raised as Igamane was offside as Butland smashed the ball forward.


08:02 PM GMT

1 min: Rangers 0 Tottenham 0

Werner wins the away side the first corner of the night after just 30 seconds as the last touch is adjudged to have come off Tavernier last. The ball is whipped in but Butland takes an easy catch.


08:01 PM GMT

Kick-off

We are under way at Ibrox.

Rangers fans getting right behind their side tonight
Rangers fans getting right behind their side tonight

07:57 PM GMT

Kick-off fast approaching

We have just seen images of the mascots warming up themselves in the tunnel. It is quite cold in Glasgow this evening!

Both sides have emerged from the tunnel, warmed up mascots alongside them, and we are just moments away from kick-off at Ibrox.


07:52 PM GMT

Reminder of the team news

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte, Raskin, Diomande, Cerny, Bajrami, Jefte, Igamane.

Substitutes: Kelly, Cortes, Barron, Dessers, Dowell, Sterling, Balogun, King, McCausland, Fraser, Rice, Curtis.

Tottenham: Forster, Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie, Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Son, Werner.

Substitutes: Austin, Whiteman, Bergvall, Solanke, Kulusevski, Sarr, Lankshear, Dorrington, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Hardy.


07:50 PM GMT

The thoughts pre-match of Philippe Clement


07:46 PM GMT

Tonight’s Europa League matches

5.45pm UK time kick-offs (all at FT):

Hoffenheim 0-0 FCSB

Ludogorets 2-2 AZ Alkmaar

Malmo 2-2 Galatasaray

Olympiakos 0-0 Twente

PAOK 5-0 Ferencvaros

Roma 3-0 Braga

Union SG 2-1 Nice

Plzen 1-2 Manchester United

8pm kick-offs:

Ajax vs Lazio

Bodo/ Glimt vs Besiktas

Elfsborg vs Qarabag

Maccabi TA vs RFS

Lyon vs Frankfurt

Porto vs Midtjylland

Rangers vs Tottenham

Real Sociedad vs Dynamo Kyiv

Slavia Prague vs Anderlecht


07:39 PM GMT

Ange Postecoglou speaking to TNT


07:32 PM GMT

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07:26 PM GMT

TNT crew on Tottenham


07:22 PM GMT

Full team news

Rangers make four changes from their 3-0 win over Ross County. Robin Propper, Mohamed Diomande, Nedim Bajrami and Ridvan Yilmaz come in for Ianis Hagi, Danilo, Leon Balogun and Connor Barron. Hagi and Danilo are not in their Europa League squad.

Rangers: Butland, Tavernier, Souttar, Propper, Jefte, Raskin, Diomande, Cerny, Bajrami, Jefte, Igamane.

Substitutes: Kelly, Cortes, Barron, Dessers, Dowell, Sterling, Balogun, King, McCausland, Fraser, Rice, Curtis.

Ange Postecoglou makes five changes from his side’s 4-3 defeat at home to Chelsea on Sunday. Their first-choice centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky Van de Ven are ruled out through injury so Archie Gray and Radu Dragusin start. Rodrigo Bentancur’s ban does not count in European competition so he comes in as do Timo Werner and James Maddison.

Tottenham: Forster, Porro, Gray, Dragusin, Udogie, Bissouma, Bentancur, Maddison, Johnson, Son, Werner.

Substitutes: Austin, Whiteman, Bergvall, Solanke, Kulusevski, Sarr, Lankshear, Dorrington, Olusesi, Williams-Barnett, Hardy.


07:16 PM GMT

Visitors arrive


07:13 PM GMT

Football’s greatest ‘Battles of Britain’ ranked

5. Rangers vs Wolves, European Cup Winners’ Cup semi-final, 1961

This was the first meeting between English and Scottish clubs in European competition. And, in the ensuing scrap to establish supremacy, the English side seemed blindsided by their opponents’ passion and commitment. The first leg was held at Ibrox. In front of 79,000 roaring fans (just 1,000 had made the trip up from Wolverhampton) Rangers were dominant from the start. Unexpectedly wearing a change kit of hooped shirts (albeit that the Celtic-style stripes were in red and blue) they won 2-0, with goals from Alex Scott and Ralph Brand. According to The Scotsman’s account the following morning, Wolves were “sent whimpering home, their tails between their legs”.

The second leg at Molineux was played four days after the annual England v Scotland encounter, which England had won 9-3. Seeking retribution for that humiliation, thousands of Rangers fans made the journey south, joining up with those who were still in England after the Wembley defeat. Before kick-off they took over Wolverhampton town centre, singing derogatory chants about the hapless Scottish keeper at Wembley, Celtic’s Frank Haffey. Three members of the Rangers side, including Jim Baxter, had also played for their country and found revenge in a 1-1 draw which took them to the final. Such was the scale of the unfettered celebrations by the invading army of Scottish fans, it inspired a song called When The Rangers Came To Wolverhampton Town. It includes a line about local astonishment at “a sight I’d never seen when they sang God Save the Queen”. Sadly, Rangers could not reproduce that fervour in the final, which was lost to Fiorentina.

Jim White ranks his top six cross-border skirmishes of the past and you can find out more right here.


07:07 PM GMT

Tonight’s Europa League matches

5.45pm UK time kick-offs (all in the second half):

Hoffenheim 0-0 FCSB

Ludogorets 2-2 AZ Alkmaar

Malmo 1-2 Galatasaray

Olympiakos 0-0 Twente

PAOK 2-0 Ferencvaros

Roma 2-0 Braga

Union SG 1-1 Nice

Plzen 1-1 Manchester United

8pm kick-offs:

Ajax vs Lazio

Bodo/ Glimt vs Besiktas

Elfsborg vs Qarabag

Maccabi TA vs RFS

Lyon vs Frankfurt

Porto vs Midtjylland

Rangers vs Tottenham

Real Sociedad vs Dynamo Kyiv

Slavia Prague vs Anderlecht


07:06 PM GMT

Philippe Clement wants to have a memorable night at Ibrox

“I’m convinced that’s possible, yes. Everything can be bridged in one night. I had the luck, and it’s not only luck, it’s also a lot of hard work, as a player and as a manager, to have several nights where the gap was amazingly big.

“And those are also the best nights. If you then perform and you get the results, those are also the nights that you remember all of your life. Those are also the moments that, as a player, you remember your team-mates really well.

“The moments of success, the moment of doing something special. So in that way, I hope the players can give themselves and as a team a special night tomorrow.

“For example, with Brugge winning 1-0 in the Champions League away to AC Milan, the team that the year before won the Champions League with Dida, Cafu, Costacurta, Maldini, Seedorf, Shevchenko, Inzaghi, and a few really good guys on the bench also.

“So that was a really special evening. And still, if we meet each other, and it doesn’t happen so much, people still talk about that evening together. So I had a few of those. Rangers have also several of those in the history and those are the special evenings. So it’s a really nice stage for my players.”


06:56 PM GMT

Pressure on Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou has gone strong for tonight’s game against Rangers. Heung-Min Son starts as Tottenham’s striker, with Brennan Johnson and James Maddison also included. A defeat would not be terminal for the club’s Europa League qualification hopes, but it would put even more pressure on Postecoglou. Despite the freezing temperatures in Glasgow, Postecoglou can expect a hot reception from the Rangers fans, having led Celtic to two titles. More importantly, I tried haggis pakora last night and it was delicious.

Ange Postecoglou looks on before the game
Ange Postecoglou is sure to receive a hostile reception at Ibrox tonight - Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

06:50 PM GMT

Tottenham team news


06:50 PM GMT

Rangers team news


06:46 PM GMT

Scotland take on England

The latest instalment of the ‘Battle of Britain’ takes place at Ibrox tonight in the Europa League as Rangers host Tottenham. Both sides have exactly the same number of points (10) after five games in the league phase, with Rangers ahead on goal difference in the final spot of the top eight.

Rangers’ domestic form so far this season has been poor as they sit 11 points behind Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic in third place. They have won their last three league matches since beating Nice 4-1 in their last Europa League match.

Tottenham, who drew their last game in this competition 2-2 against Roma, currently sit in 11th place in the Premier League having won only one of their last seven matches in all competitions. Since beating Manchester City 4-0 at the Etihad in late November, they have not win in four including losing 4-3 at home against Chelsea on Sunday despite being 2-0 up. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has experience taking a side to Ibrox. During his time at Celtic winning back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles, he won six of his 11 games against Rangers, drawing twice and losing three times. Postecoglou spoke earlier this week about how much he enjoys hostile atmospheres.

“I think you will know what kind of reception I will get. I loved it. I have enjoyed all the games against Rangers, very significant games - title deciders or cup knockouts. European nights you know are something you want to be a part of.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou looks on
Ange Postecoglou was at Celtic before taking the Tottenham job - Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

“I am like everyone else, I like a bit of love now and then. But I do enjoy big atmospheres. Games in empty stadiums are meaningless. It could be hostile, but that is what brings it to life, it is a game that provokes passion and emotion - you want that, I would much prefer that to somewhere sterile.”

Rangers are still without Tom Lawrence and Rabbi Matondo. Ianis Hagi and Danilo are both ineligible as they were not registered in their Europa League squad.

Tottenham will be missing their first choice centre-back pairing of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. They continue to be without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and Richarlison but will have Rodrigo Bentancur available as his ban only applies to domestic matches.

On their way to winning the 1962-63 Cup Winners’ Cup, Tottenham beat Rangers 5-2 at home and 3-2 away in the second. Rangers have not won in any of their last six meetings with English sides in all competitions, drawing once and losing five.

Team news to follow shortly.