3 talking points as Rangers rescued by triple sub call against Brondby after Ianis Hagi strikes
The Scottish champions were trailing in Denmark but the Romanian - one of three substitutions before the hour - was the goal hero.
Super sub Ianis Hagi salvaged a point for Rangers against Brondby to boost their hopes of reaching the Europa League knockout stage.
And it was an inspired triple substitution by Steven Gerrard in the second half that helped rescue his side.
Leon Balogun was blunderful in Copenhagen as his own goal handed the Danish champions the half-time lead.
And they were toiling after the restart until Gerrard threw on Ryan Kent, Kemar Roofe and Hagi before the hour.
That move paid off as Kent, back in action for the first time since September, set up Hagi for the leveller.
It was a massive goal as they are now level on points with Sparta Prague who they face at Ibrox later this month before a daunting trip to French cracks Lyon who have a perfect record in the section.
Alfredo Morelos was in the thick of the action early on as the Colombian went into referee Nikola Dabanovic’s book for a late tackle on Morten Frendrup.
That left him walking a tightrope for the rest of the match but didn’t let that stop him putting the ball into the back of the net as he headed home James Tavernier’s corner.
However, his trademark celebration was cut short by the linesman’s flag who flagged for the ball having gone out of play at the corner - and VAR backed that decision up.
Fashion Sakala, on a high from his weekend hat-trick against Motherwell, was then sent racing clear by a lovely ball from Joe Aribo but the Zambian pulled his shot wide.
Morelos was a whisker away again with a daisy cutter after a good driving run from Scott Arfield.
But after that positive start from Gers, the home side crept back into the game and the big moment of the opening 45 minutes came right on the stroke of half-time.
And it was a poor goal to concede for Gerrard’s men as they yet again - as they have so often this season - conceded from a set piece.
Josip Radosevic swung in a corner and Christian Cappis was first to it and Balogun contrived to head the American’s flick-on beyond a helpless Allan McGregor.
The break gave the Light Blues a chance to regroup but they were sluggish at the start after the restart and were lucky not to fall further behind when Kevin Tshiembe’s shot was blocked by Arfield.
That was enough for Gerrard who then made a triple change with the long-awaited return of Ryan Kent, Kemar Roofe and Hagi all on for Arfield, Morelos and Sakala.
And they made a difference as they gave the visitors a real boost and it was a brilliant move for the goal that sealed the point with Joe Aribo finding Kent who played in Hagi and it was an excellent finish from the Romanian.
Here's three talking points from the Brondby Stadium
Fortune favours the brave
Gerrard was bold in making a triple substitution before the hour mark as he knew drastic action was needed to inject life into his side.
And it was inspired from the Rangers manager as they all made a real difference to the Light Blues.
Two of the subs combined for the leveller with Ryan Kent setting up Hagi and Roofe was also a real threat.
Managers are paid to make big decisions and Gerrard can certainly be happy with his work as it had a real positive impact.
Set piece suffering
The goal Rangers conceded was certainly unusual as Balogun sent a header beyond McGregor that he would have been happy with if it was at the other end.
But the fact it came from a set piece was no big surprise given it has been the source of so many goals conceded this season.
The corner was poorly defended as Christian Cappis won the first ball and Balogun made a mess of it after that.
It rubbed salt into the wounds having scored themselves from that early corner when the ball was ruled to have gone out of play.
But they have yet again conceded the first goal in a game and from a set piece and it’s been an all too familiar story.
Not Arf bad
Scott Arfield came in from the cold to make his first league start in the thumping weekend win over Motherwell.
And the Canada international played an impressive role in that victory even if it was hat trick hero Sakala who grabbed the headlines.
Arfield showed again here that, in the week he celebrated his 33rd birthday, he still has plenty to offer.
His driving runs created a couple of chances during a bright start and he was perfectly positioned to block a shot early in the second half for what looked a certain Brondby second goal.
Arfield was hooked before the hour mark in a triple substitution but could could himself unlucky.