It was a famous win on the road for Rangers as they smashed FOUR past Nice in France.
Philippe Clement and his troops are feeling the heat on home soil but they didn't show it on their Europa League travels as they ran into a three goal lead at the break thanks to goals from Vaclav Cerny, Mohamed Diomande and Hamza Igamane.
The striker - handed his first European start for the club - grabbed his second early in the second period to make it FOUR with the visitors missing a number of chances including a sitter from Cyriel Dessers late on in a game they could have easily bagged seven or eight. The hosts hit back with a late consolation with a stunning free-kick that left Jack Butland with no chance.
The Rangers fans in the ground sang loud and proud as they saluted their heroes at the end of the game. They will be partying the night away in the French Riviera and they will now be hoping that they can now transform the European form into domestic matters starting from Sunday.
But for now, it is party time after yet another win for the history books in the Europa League.
Liran Froind, Co-Founder of Ticket-Compare, added: "In contrast to their bumpy domestic campaign, Rangers are going strong in the Europa League this season.
"Attendances have been steady in Europe, but slightly lower than the club’s Premiership matches, with general sale tickets still available before games.
"However, if Clement’s continues this form, we expect demand to increase as optimism builds. Given the club’s pedigree in this tournament, going all the way to the final in 2007/08 and 2021/22, European nights are a big part of the club’s identity.
"Should the Europa League become a realistic target, Rangers tickets are expected to sell out quickly as the league phase progresses and the knockouts approach in 2025."
Follow for all the post-match reaction right here in our LIVE blog!
Boydy turns party spoiler
Kris Boyd wasn't for partying after Rangers Europa League win as he posed a lingering question to Philippe Clement.
Domestic struggles have been evident for the Light Blues who went into their clash with Nice off the back of a 1-1 draw at home to Dundee United.
But they hit the French outfit for FOUR on the road to take their tally to 10 points from five matches in Europe's second tier competition with the Ibrox men on the verge of reaching the next stage of the tournament.
Clement fires Rangers warning
Cyriel Dessers has been warned he faces a fight to regain his Rangers starting spot as Philippe Clement fired a message to his stars after battering Nice.
The Ibrox gaffer and his troops trail Celtic by 11 points in the league with Aberdeen nine ahead in second - having played a game more - and the boss wants his side to stop being Jekyll & Hyde Gers.
He knows his side must win games and perform and not just Sunday against St Johnstone but also the games after that and start putting a run of form together.
Pundits have their say
Hamza Igamane has been projected to have a skyrocketing Rangers career after his heroics in the Europa League at Nice.
The two-goal hero was handed his first European start and Philippe Clement's show of faith hit the jackpot in the 4-1 away day triumph.
Three former Rangers men on pundit duty - including current Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes - delivered their verdicts over the Ibrox hitman.
McCann tells Rangers to get domestic house in order
Rangers in Europe... Philippe Clement is getting results, but it's domestically where it is at. It's having to combat your domestic foes.
They need to get their challenge on and reel Celtic in - and they are not a side who look like dropping points.
Diomande reacts
I think I can still do more. There's still more for me to show everybody. I'm happy the manager can trust me again.
I know I had a tough time at the weekend but I'm happy he can trust me and I can show my team-mates I can do what they need. The fans have been amazing since we started the tournament, we always need that. I'm thankful for every time they come and support us so we're always going to try and give a result for them.
Top eight
Rangers end the night in eighth in the table and that would be enough to skip the first knockout round.
It's big clashes with Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham and Manchester United next on the agenda.
Spurs are one spot below the Light Blues on the same points tally ahead of their trip to Ibrox next month.
Ruben Amorim and United are one point back on nine with two wins and three draws so far.
How they rated
JACK BUTLAND: Made a couple of big saves that proved crucial before Gers Ruthlessly exploited the ragged hosts’ shocking defending. Eventually beaten by Badredine Bouanani’s stunning set-piece. 8
DUJON STERLING: Preferred again to skipper James Tavernier and fully justified his inclusion with with two superb passes for Gers’ opening strikes. Solid as a rock defensively too. 9
JOHN SOUTTAR: Centre-back has been in superb form for club and country lately and continued that with another near flawless display. Relieved to see VAR overturn Nice’s handball penalty claim. 8
ROBIN PROPPER: The Dutch defender hasn’t always looked comfortable domestically but his European performances continue to encourage. A steady figure at the back. 7
JEFTE: Brazilian came close to scoring early on and continued to drive forward at every opportunity. 7
CONNOR BARRON: The former Aberdeen kid is enjoying his European adventure. Covered every blade of grass shutting down spaces and sweeping up loose balls. 7
NICO RASKIN: Outstanding in the heart of midfield. His reading of dangerous moments was key as Rangers were continually able to nip Nice attacks in the bud before they could trouble Butland. 8
MOHAMED DIOMANDE: The Ivory Coast international was hooked at half-time at the weekend but was back to his best last night. Gambled on Sterling’s pass in behind and got his reward when Roasrio went to sleep. 8
VACLAV CERNY: The Czech winger has been Rangers' danger man lately and continued that fine form as he made it seven goals in his last eight games with deflected strike. 7
NEDIM BAJRAMI: Took the wrong option when through three-on-one early on as his under-cooked pass allowed Nice time to smother out Igamane. 6
HAMZA IGAMANE: Huge chance for the Moroccan kid as he was handed his first Euro start - and he took it in stunning style with two cooly taken goals and an assist. 9
Subs:
JAMES TAVERNIER - (On for Sterling, 62): Provided fresh legs as Gers cantered to a hugely impressive win. 3
ROSS McCAUSLAND - (On for Cerny, 62): Helped keep Nice on the back foot in the final stages. 2
CYRIEL DESSERS - (On for Igamane, 69): Wasted a glorious chance to make it five late on. 2
RIDVAN YILMAZ - (On for Diomade, 69): Sent on as a left winger and looked desperate to get on the scoresheet, coming close twice. 2
BAILEY RICE - (On for Bajrami, 80): Euro debut for the highly-rated Ibrox kid. Booked. 2
5 talking points
Rangers are on the brink of the Europa League knockout round after a stunning win at Nice.
Philippe Clement got the huge win he needed while his troops moved to ten points from five Europa League outings.
Check out our FIVE talking points from tonight's showdown in France.
FULL-TIME!!
And that's it as the whistle sounds and a massive away win.
Nice 1 Rangers 4
Stick with us for all the post-match reaction
Two to go!
The fourth official holds up two minutes on the board.
This game is nearly done and it will be a huge cheer from the away end.
HOW HAS HE MISSED!
Cyriel Dessers.
The striker chests down James Tavernier's ball and fires it WIDE from five-yards.
That is an increidble miss.
A brilliant touch to create the chance. First class until the finish.
He will be breathing a sigh of relief this game is over and done with.
Transform Europe to domestic matters
The Rangers fans will party into the night in France.
But when they wake up tomorrow the demands will be on the Light Blues to deliver more cheer at home.
Rare moment of joy
So the home fans finally see a bit of quality from their side after 83 minutes.
It is a case of too little too late for the hosts who looked to have chucked it well before that stunner.
5 minutes remain in France.
GOAL!!
WHAT A HIT.
The clean sheet for Jack Butland goes but it is a wonder strike.
A stunning free-kick curled into the top corner of the net.
Nice 1 Rangers 4
Rare chance
Bailey Rice gets a taste of Europa League action.
He gets the final 11 minutes in place of Nedim Bajrami
15 to go!
We are into the final 15 minutes in France.
The home support wouldn't mind the whistle now.
But Philippe Clement would love this match to go on all night!
It remains 4-0 to the visitors.
Nearly a fifth!
An incredible first touch from Ridvan Yilmaz sets him on his way as he breaks down the middle of the home defence.
But his effort is blocked as he gets a shot away.
Seconds later he has a second pop at goal but the Nice stopper pushes it wide as the ball bounces in front of him.
Rangers in dreamland while Nice are living a nightmare.
And they've got another 20 minutes before it ends!
Boyd is buzzing
"It''s 4-0.. 54 minutes gone. What an evening'"
Kris Boyd is all smiles on Sky Sports this evening..
Sore one
Hamza Igamane looks like he's gone over on his ankle.
The physios are on but the attacker has jogged off and is back on.
Doesn't look serious but those ones can sting!
Double change
Vaclav Cerny and Dujon Sterling are off after an hour for a well deserved early bath.
Skipper James Tavernier takes to the pitch alongside Ross McCausland.
Nice looking anything but..
The French side are deflated and all over the place.
There is plenty space to be exploited and this scoreline could be even more with 30 to go.
Where does it rank?
Is this one of Rangers' best European away days?
The Europa League has delivered big nights over the years.
Who can forget Dortmund and Real Betis away.
This one must be heading in that direction.
IGAMANE DOES IT AGAIN!!
This is unbelieveable.
Hamza Igamane grabs his second of the night as he rolls the ball home.
The striker capitalises on a slack pass out of defence, gets past his defender before slotting home.
What a night for the Rangers No29
Nice 0 Rangers 4
Jefte denied
Butland saves at one side and Rangers hit on the break and Jefte forces a big save.
End to end here.
Smart stop
The hosts are showing they are not down and out with Jack Butland tested from range.
But the Rangers No1 dives to his right and pushes the effort wide.
Louder and louder
The Rangers fans are in full voice and rightly so.
They are having a ball in the stadium and the streets of France.
Those at home will also be in party mode.
The big moments in pictures
We go again!
We all ready for another 45 minutes?
Grab those refreshments quick and get yourself strapped in.
If the first half is anything to go by, there is plenty of twists, turns and drama to come here.
Story of the half
Well the long and short of it is Rangers are THREE to the good on French soil.
All that pressure being felt on home soil has just disappeared here in Nice.
Vaclac Cerny, Mohamed Diomande and Hamza Igamane have the Light Blues in cruise control.
Back in 2007, they dumped Lyon 3-0 in the Champions League on the road.
A repeat is on the cards!
