Supersub Bailey’s Brilliance Shines Against Rangers
Jamaican grabs spectacular last-gasp in Europa League last 16 clash
Leon Bailey, the Jamaican midfielder, snatched a stunning late goal on British soil as Bayer Leverkusen breezed past Scottish giants Rangers 3-1 on Thursday (12 March).
The Kingston-born ace, little used by his German club in recent weeks, played a significant role in the Europa League last 16 first leg clash at Ibrox, Glasgow.
After appearing as a 62nd-minute substitute, Bailey sealed a slick performance with a last-gasp strike to put the Germans in command ahead of the second leg in a fortnight’s time.
Kai Havertz got the ball rolling by sending home keeper Allan McGregor the wrong way with his 37th-minute spot-kick.
Charles Aranguiz doubled the visitors’ lead on 68 minutes, but George Edmundson restored some hope for Rangers seven minutes later to set up a grand finale.
With Leverkusen pressing for another goal it was Bailey who came up trumps.
Moussa Diaby picked out the 22-year-old at the back post, who turned into Matt Polster before unleashing a spectacular curling shot that slammed past McGregor into the top corner.
His sumptuous 88th-minute finish stunned the home fans into silence and sealed Rangers’ first European defeat at home under manager Steven Gerrard.
And Rangers fans are not used to witnessing home defeat in European competition, having last tasted a reversal in 2011. But Bailey’s brilliance helped end their record of an unbeaten run of 17 games.
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