Summary

  • FT: Servette 1-1 Rangers (agg 2-3): Kutesa bends sumptuous shot into far corner to level tie; Tavernier thumps in back-post header just after break to regain advantage

  • Rangers led 2-1 from last week's first leg

  • Winner of tie will face PSV Eindhoven, who beat Sturm Graz 3-1 (agg 7-2)

  1. Servette's stuttering start continuespublished at 19:23 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Servette go into tonight's second leg after a 1-1 draw at home to St Gallen on Saturday.

    It means they've now won just one of their opening seven games in 90 minutes this season.

    There have been no clean sheets in those seven fixtures, but they've scored in every one, including last week's first leg.

  2. Postpublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Public service announcement #2: Sportscene coverage is under way.

  3. A first sell-out in 20 yearspublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    So many of Rangers' big European results over the past couple of seasons have come with an Ibrox backing in the second leg.

    Tonight, it'll be roles reversed as the 30,000-capaicity Stade de Geneve will be sold out for a Servette game for the first time in 20 years.

    The Swiss hosts also haven't tasted defeat at home in five months. This won't be easy for Rangers.

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)Image source, SNS
  4. Two Servette switches from first legpublished at 19:17 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    On paper, at least, Servette are stronger for this second leg.

    It's two switches to the side that started last week at Ibrox as forward Enzo Crivelli returns after serving a suspension.

    Midfielder Gael Ondoua also starts having missed the trip to Glasgow after not being issued with a visa in time to travel with the squad.

    Suspended David Douline misses out and Boubacar Fofana drops to the bench.

  5. 'Rangers need 90-minute performance'published at 19:16 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Steven Thompson
    Former Rangers striker on BBC Sportsound

    It's no surprise to see Goldson and Jack return, it's a strong Rangers team.

    What Rangers aren't doing at this present moment in time is putting together 90-minute performances. But tonight, with this crowd and heat, they'll need to do that to get through.

  6. I kinda respect the pettinesspublished at 19:14 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Celtic fan in crowdImage source, SNS
  7. The heat is on...published at 19:11 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Jane Lewis
    BBC Scotland in Geneva

    So much is at stake tonight, with a place in the Champions League play-offs up for grabs.

    So the heat is on and the heat could have a say in this tie. It's 29 degrees.

    Dealing with that might pose a challenge. The players are down below me right now on the pitch and taking on plenty of water is definitely part of their warm-up.

  8. Beale braced for 'sticky night on sticky pitch'published at 19:10 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Rangers manager Michael Beale tells BBC Scotland: "I've picked a strong team and our focus and concentration need to be maximum.

    "Last week was about breaking down a team that was sitting in and trying to keep a result. Tonight with the crowd - it's the first time they've sold out in 20 years - it's a sticky night and a sticky pitch as well, so I'm sure the energy from the crowd will go into their team.

    "If we're defensively strong and regain the ball in interesting areas we have a lot of firepower ourselves.

    "We need to get control of the game nice and early. In midfield Jose [Cifuentes] and Nico [Raskin] can go and press because we've got Ryan Jack sitting behind them. That really taps into their best qualities.

    "Then in Abdallah [Sima], Danilo and Todd [Cantwell], we've got a potent front three. The best way to silence this crowd is to score goals.

    "European football is very much part of what being a Rangers player and manager is. We know regardless we've got European group-stage football this season, but we want it to be in the Champions League and tonight is hugely important."

    Rangers boss Michael BealeImage source, SNS
  9. Watch: Dowell's 'unstoppable' strikepublished at 19:09 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    No Kieran Dowell from the start tonight, he's among the substitutes again.

    But if he can provide more of this off the bench, Michael Beale won't think twice of throwing him on.

  10. Postpublished at 19:05 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Public service announcement: Sportsound is under way.

  11. Rangers will 'attack game head on'published at 19:02 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Jane Lewis
    BBC Scotland in Geneva

    Even with a one-goal advantage, Michael Beale says Rangers will "attack the game head on" tonight.

    "One thing's for sure, we're not coming to hold on to what we've got," he said.

    Midfielder Ryan Jack echoed his manager's thoughts. "We want to kill the game off," he adds.

    "They're going to come right out the traps, so we just need to meet that, play our game and I'm sure that will be enough.

    "We've had some great results over the years, so we need to use that experience."

  12. About last week...published at 18:59 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    At a point last week it looked like Rangers were going to kill this tie off. It wasn't to be.

    After James Tavernier's penalty and Cyriel Dessers' first goal for the club, the Swiss side pulled one back from the spot and dug in after the break with a man down.

    Almost 450,000 of you watched our live first-leg coverage last week. Of course, we're very, very thankful for that. We love having ye all.

    Click that big play button for a recap.

    Media caption,

    Highlights: Rangers 2-1 Servette

  13. How to follow tonight's coveragepublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    You can watch and listen to every moment with us tonight.

    For your TV coverage, flick on to the BBC Scotland channel at 19:20 BST.

    And for radio, BBC Radio Scotland Extra is your station. Build-up is just about to get under way.

    For simplicity, just click play at the top of this page. That way I get to keep hitting you with patter.

  14. Three Rangers changes as Goldson returnspublished at 18:54 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Danilo and GoldsonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Connor Goldson (right) returns to the XI while Danilo (left) continues in attack

    Following Saturday's 4-0 win over Livingston, Michael Beale makes three changes to his Rangers side.

    Connor Goldson is back in defence and Abdallah Sima enters the attack, while Ryan Jack also comes in as Beale opts for an extra body in midfield.

    Out go Leon Balogun, Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers.

  15. Postpublished at 18:53 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Happy with that line-up, Gers fans?

    Aye? Naw? Kinda?

    Let us know using they thumbs below...

  16. The Stade de Geneve awaitspublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Servette stadiumImage source, SNS
    Servette stadiumImage source, SNS
    Servette stadiumImage source, SNS
  17. LINE-UPS from Stade de Genevepublished at 18:49 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    Servette XI: Mall, Vouilloz, Rouiller, Severin, Mazikou, Guillemenot, Cognat, Ondoua, Kutesa, Crivelli, Bedia.

    Substitutes: Marwan, Besson, Baron, Pflucke, Stevanovic, Boubacar, Kaloga, Rodelin, Diba, Outtara, Touati, Onguene.

    Rangers XI: Butland, Tavernier, Goldson, Souttar, Barisic, Jack, Raskin, Cifuentes, Cantwell, Sima, Danilo.

    Substitutes: McCrorie, K Wright, Hagi, Dessers, Lammers, Dowell, Sterling, S Wright, Balogun, King, Devine, Lyall.

  18. Postpublished at 18:48 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    May as well get to the team news, eh?

  19. Happenin'published at 18:47 British Summer Time 15 August 2023

    Servette v Rangers (19:30)

    If last week's first leg at Ibrox was a "mega game" in the eyes of Michael Beale, tonight is [insert bigger word than mega].

    Rangers travel to Switzerland with a one-goal lead to hold on to. Failure to do that will see them dumped out of the Champions League.

    Aye, the stakes are pretty high.