Liam Kelly the penalty hero as 10-man Rangers hold on against Athletic Bilbao | Europa League

VAR might have its critics but it sure knows how to create drama. Within a quarter of an hour a review had seen the Rangers defender Robin Pröpper dismissed on review, while in the second half Athletic Bilbao had a goal disallowed only to be awarded a penalty that was saved. The end result was a goalless draw for Rangers to take to the Basque Country next week. The red card but it sharpened the Rangers minds as they fought to stay in the tie against the fourth best team in Spain. They twice thought that had been snatched away when first Alex Berenguer fired in from an offside position before failing to redeem the situation from the spot.

These are strange times at Ibrox, where Rangers have lost their past five games in 90 minutes, although that does include a penalty shootout victory against Fenerbahce in the most recent round. Barry Ferguson is the interim head coach who has overseen European success and an away win at Celtic but they began the visit of Athletic Club as serious underdogs with a slim chance of impressing.

Despite the home failings, Ibrox was raucous as the supporters held hope of two trips to Bilbao, one for the return leg and another for the final. Jack Butland got to absorb the noise on the bench after being dropped having committed a litany of mistakes, with Liam Kelly preferred, while 18-year-old Bailey Rice making first European start and only second for the first team.

In the very early stages, it looked like Rangers might be able to settle into the game but Athletic soon took control. Maroan Sannadi, who started the season playing in Spain’s third tier for Barakaldo, had a shot blocked by Kelly and sent the rebound wide but that put the hosts off their stride and within seconds they were down to 10 men. Pröpper flew into a challenge on Inaki Williams on the edge of the box, receiving a booking for his recklessness. The referee Istvan Kovacs was sent over to the monitor to review and the centre-back was walking off, leaving Rangers with 77 minutes to navigate light.

Rangers needed a catalyst and to fire up the crowd as Athletic dominated. Maybe Ferguson realised that and lambasted the referee from outside his technical area over a lack of action when Ianis Hagi was being fouled. Kovacs dished out a yellow to the interim head coach, riling up the home support, who were doing their best to counteract the numerical disadvantage on the pitch.

There was plenty of fight from the hosts but they required two smart Kelly saves from Maroan and Sancet in quick succession to go into the break level.

Everyone in blue was fully committed, whether to challenges or hunting opponents down. In a time of crisis, Ferguson was finding out that they could count on those he sent out to do battle. Athletic on the other hand were looking sloppy and Maroan was booked for a lazy and poorlyexecuted dive inside the box, an indication the Basques were getting frustrated by their inability to break down their opponents.

Maroan should have made amends for his theatrics when Oscar De Marcos burst on to a pass down the right for the unmarked striker inside the six yard-box but he pitifully could not direct his effort from close range on target, to once again earn jeers from the home fans. He was replaced soon after.

There was a further setback for Rangers as Rice needed lengthy medical treatment, before eventually being stretchered off the pitch wearing a neck brace. The midfielder was able to applaud the fans as a sign of encouragement. Everyone thought the opener had arrived from a ball over the top as the tired minds and bodies failed to track the run of substitute Berenguer, who scored on the rebound.

VAR had a long look before Kovacs reunited with the monitor and disallowed the goal for offside but awarded a penalty for handball by Dujon Sterling. Everyone was confused, except Kelly whose legs flicked Berenguer’s penalty over the bar to create bedlam inside Ibrox.