RANGERS hosted Slavia Prague on Thursday evening knowing that if they could keep a clean sheet against their opponents, the men from Ibrox would book their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Steven Gerrard's side managed to escape the Czech capital with a credible 1-1 draw in the first leg, in no small part due to Allan McGregor's physics-defying save that kept his team in the tie.

But the Light Blues' away goal advantage was wiped out when Oladeji Olayinka headed in at McGregor's near post 14 minutes into the contest in Glasgow's south side.

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After a slow start, the hosts grew into a game but fans watching on from home got a scare when Leon Balogun clumsily challenged Abdullah Sima in the area shortly before half-time.

The referee initially waved on and after a nervous pause once the ball went out of play, the game continued without the ref consulting VAR.

But Gers legend Davie Weir and former Ibrox right-back Alan Hutton both agreed that Balogun was LUCKY - admitting that the Slavia attacker deserved a penalty for the challenge.

Speaking on BT Sport, Hutton said of the incident: "Look, it's an error.

"He tries to take the ball out to correct that instantly and he gives the referee a decision to make by lunging in.

"We've seen a few angles and it's questionable. It could easily have swung either way.

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"He is lucky but thankfully, he got away with it."

Weir added: "It's a big moment in the game. I think a penalty right before half-time would have really changed the complexion of the game.

"I think Leon has panicked. The ball has got away from him and the guy's got in front of him. Fortunately we got away with that one."