Maribor 0 Rangers 0: Gerrard's men book play-off berth with calm clean sheet

Rangers are one step away from the Europa League group stage after a 0-0 second-leg draw sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory over Maribor in the third qualifying round.

Buoyed by last week's vital home win, the Scottish side only needed a stalemate to advance and achieved that feat with only the minor scare of a late penalty Maribor penalty to sew up a play-off round date with Russian side Ufa.

An impressive performance from veteran goalkeeper Allan McGregor ensured even the late concern did not develop into any threat of a shock as he kept out Marcos Tavares' stoppage time spot-kick.

The visitors had been pinned back on the edge of their own area for much of the first 25 minutes, albeit without major incident.

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An offside flag spared Alfredo Morelos from embarrassment when he spooned James Tavernier's cross over the bar with what was to be one of few Rangers chances in a tight contest.

That came prior to a smart pair of McGregor saves late in the first half, the 36-year-old first denying Amir Dervisevic and then holding a meek Blaz Vrhovec attempt.

The former Hull City man was called into action again with 20 minutes remaining as he brilliantly blocked Tavares' close-range effort.

And the Maribor forward was to be frustrated once more in the first minute of added time as he failed to claw back a goal from the spot.

In the end a clean sheet was all Gerrard's men needed to advance through to the final qualifying hurdle and move within touching distance of a first group stage appearance in European competition since the 2010-11 Champions League campaign.

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