Rangers 1-1 Tottenham: Kulusevski grabs much-needed leveller for under-fire Postecoglou

Dejan Kulusevski rescued a scarcely deserved point for Tottenham as they played out a 1-1 draw in Thursday’s Europa League contest with Rangers.

The hosts put in a fine performance at a fired-up Ibrox and Hamza Igamane’s well-taken effort shortly after the break put them into a deserved lead.

But former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou avoided an embarrassing defeat at the home of his old rivals as Kulusevski swept home with 15 minutes remaining.

Vaclav Cerny was denied by Fraser Forster after 25 minutes before Nedim Bajrami could not quite meet Jefte’s excellent low centre from the left.

Forster again thwarted Cerny on the stroke of half-time but Ibrox erupted two minutes into the second half when James Tavernier’s brilliant clip from the right was guided home first-time by Igamane.

Brennan Johnson lashed over the top from just inside the penalty area when he should have done better and Jack Butland was alert to deny Pedro Porro from close range as Spurs belatedly began to bare their teeth.

And Kulusevski – on as a half-time substitute – calmly slotted past Butland after an excellent cutback from Dominic Solanke to restore parity.

Still, the home side came, though, and substitute Cyriel Dessers was frustrated by ex-Celtic keeper Forster after going round two defenders, as it finished all square in a result that leaves Rangers eighth in the table, above Spurs on goal difference.

We head home with a point. pic.twitter.com/JbjUbCcoBi

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) December 12, 2024

Data Debrief: Igamane in form as Tavernier closes on Rashford

Igamane is a man in form and was on target twice in the 4-1 drubbing of Nice last time out in Europe. He now has four goals in the competition this season, the most of any Rangers player.

He was assisted by Tavernier, who has been directly involved in 16 goals in the Europa League (10 goals, six assists). The only English player with more goal involvements in the competition is Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford (18), while Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is the only one with more assists (eight).

Tavernier made his 53rd appearance in Europe’s secondary club competition, the joint-most among English players, alongside Steve Perryman, in the UEFA Cup/Europa League.

Spurs may not have gotten the win their under-pressure boss needed, but they remain unbeaten in all seven meetings with Scottish sides in European competition (W4 D3). Only against Austrian opponents have they played more matches in such competitions without losing (eight).

Meanwhile, Kulusevski has scored in back-to-back appearances within a single season for Tottenham in all competitions for the very first time. This also marked the first of the Swede’s 19 goals for Spurs to come as a substitute.