Rapid Vienna could not cope with the “remarkable” pace Rangers played at in their 3-1 Europa League victory at Ibrox on Thursday night, according to Die Presse.
The Austrian newspaper lauded Steven Gerrard’s side for the intensity and tempo of their performance as they followed up their draw at Villarreal a fortnight ago with a landmark triumph.
Alfredo Morelos scored either side of a James Tavernier penalty at a feverish Ibrox, which puts Rangers top of Group G and well placed to qualify for the Europa League knockout stages.
“At Ibrox Park, the home base of the British-Protestant heritage club, Rangers are growing beyond their reach. Skilfully, they played their home form, the pace that Steven Gerrard’s squad sometimes dictated was remarkable,” wrote Die Presse.
“Conclusion: A courageous idea of the Viennese, who were no longer able to cope with the pressure of the hosts in the end.”
OPINION
The comparison between the Rangers performance last night and in last weekend’s defeat to Livingstone was like the difference between night and day. As abject and off-key as they were against the SPL minnows, Gerrard’s side were impressive on a memorable night played in a belting atmosphere in which the fans roared, sang and bounced. Rangers are not always fluent or stylish but they are tough to break down, especially at home, and for the second European game in a row they showed the character and resilience to recover from a losing position, this time putting away Rapid Vienna with two late goals that brought the house down. It was the tempo, even late in the game, that proved the difference as Rangers refused to reduce their intensity or take the foot off the pedal. Ibrox was intoxicating and the visiting players were not allowed to breathe.