Mohamed Diomande scores for RangersSNS

Diomande scored his first Europa League goal since November 2024 against Nice

At a glance

  • Rangers knocked out of Europa League despite victory over Ludogorets

  • Mohamed Diomande's goal gives Rangers their first Europa League victory of the season

  • Danny Rohl's side make it seven consecutive wins

Andrew Petrie
BBC Sport Scotland

Rangers recorded their first Europa League victory of the season in a tight win over Ludogorets as their slim hopes of progression came to an end.

At the very least, Mohamed Diomande's goal ensures Danny Rohl's side continue their fine run of form as they make it seven wins on the trot.

The hosts had plenty of chances, but it was only Diomande's scrappy first-half goal that pierced the Ludogorets net when the Ivorian tucked home from close range following a messy corner.

Bojan Miovski missed the best chance to ease any nerves. Diomande performed a fabulous turn in the box before setting up the substitute, but Miovski inexplicably took a touch and stumbled over the ball.

Rangers still have one game left in the league phase, heading to Porto next week, but they are four points behind Celtic who sit in 24th, in the final spot of the qualifying section. It was always looking like an almost impossible task.

However, with their fate already taken out of their hands, it could be argued Rohl got exactly what he needed from tonight.

He's ticked off a win in Europe, presided over another solid performance from his first-choice team, and helped Rangers' coefficient should they need the ranking points come next season.

Analysis: Both sides squander chances as Rangers' drive continues

Even before kick-off, Rangers knew their chances of progression were all but over. You couldn't have told that from Rohl's team selection, though.

Seven changes from the win over Annan Athetic in the Scottish Cup. This was a first-choice team, picked to ensure consistency. That was almost exactly what the head coach got.

They controlled the opening stages, and looked confident as they went about their business. However, there weren't a lot of clear-cut chances, summed up when Youssef Chermiti squandered a shot that he should have squared to Djeidi Gassama.

And, there were still a few defensive frailties. Peter Stanic was denied by a brilliant Jack Butland save in the first half, and Ludogorets' late flurry of chances threatened a nervy finale.

But they came through it again, despite the open nature of the game. In truth, the final ball for both sides was lacking.

The atmosphere itself was a little flat for most of the game. There was a dead rubber feel at times, but one player did his utmost to change that.

Young Findlay Curtis, after a man-of-the-match performance against Annan , had another star turn, even if he only got the final 15 minutes.

Linking up nicely, driving Rangers forward, he even forced Hendrik Bonmann into a superb save with a curled effort from the edge of the box that looked destined for the top corner.

It does appear that the teenager is off to Kilmarnock, but another sterling performance might sew a seed of doubt into the head coach's mind. Might he be a good addition to the squad when it comes to the business end of the season?

Only Rohl knows.

What they said

Rangers boss Danny Rohl speaking after his side's win over Ludogorets

Rangers' head coach Danny Rohl told TNT Sports: "Seven wins in a row is fantastic. We have to be hungry for more, especially looking forward to Sunday. We have to be on the front foot again.

"We gave some moments to the opponent, which I don't like. In general there's been a lot of clean sheets since I've been here and that's a good feeling."

On whether Rangers fans will see the club's new signings this weekend, Rohl adds: "Let's see."

What's next?

Rangers are back in league action on Sunday when they host Dundee at Ibrox (15:00).

Key stats

  • Rangers have ended a nine-game winless run in the Europa League (D2 L7)

  • Rangers are unbeaten in their last 35 home games in the month of January in all competitions (W31 D4) since losing 2-0 to Celtic in January 2011

  • Mohamed Diomande netted just his second goal in 16 Europa League appearances for Rangers – his first had come against Nice in November 2024

  • Diomande became the first Rangers player to score in major European competition having been sent off in his previous appearance since Ally McCoist, who was sent off in October 1988 vs 1. FC Köln then scored on his next appearance in September 1990 vs Valletta

Player of the match

A. Nedyalkov
8.08
1 J. Butland
7.19
10 M. Diomandé
6.91
52 F. Curtis
6.73
37 E. Fernandez
6.66
43 N. Raskin
6.66
47 M. Moore
6.56
24 N. Djiga
6.37
23 D. Gassama
6.30
30 J. Meghoma
6.24
11 T. Aasgaard
6.15
9 Youssef Chermiti
6.13
3 M. Aarons
5.80
28 B. Miovski
5.72
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