Ally McCoist hails Rangers for 'top class performance' after recovering to claim draw at at Olympiacos

A comeback draw against Olympiacos means Rangers stay on the brink of the UEFA Europa League top eight thanks to Cyriel Dessers' equaliser, and Ally McCoist believes the "top class performance" deserved a point against the UEFA Conference League champions. Ayoub El Kaabi opened the scoring for the hosts, but Rangers took more shots on target and have lost just one of four league phase games.

Ally McCoist praised Rangers' fightback against Olympiacos as Philippe Clement's side remain comfortably in the play-off places in the UEFA Europa League.

The Rangers legend watched his former side go 1-0 down against the UEFA Conference League champions on TNT Sports and discovery+, but that lead lasted just eight minutes before Cyriel Dessers fired his side level with a well-taken goal.

While Olympiacos enjoyed more shots, Rangers had the better chances and the point means they move onto seven points at the halfway point of the league phase.

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"It has been a great performance from Rangers, they could have buckled after losing the goal to [Ayoub] El Kaabi but they did not," McCoist told TNT Sports.

"I think it has been a top class performance against a side who can play better, and we have seen them play better. But take nothing away from Rangers' performance.

"I thought the two lads in the middle of the park - [Nicolas] Raskin and [Connor] Barron - were absolutely outstanding.

"Dessers gets his fair share of criticism but he takes his goal exceptionally well. It was a well-earned point and a deserved point."

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Rangers 'in good stead' in Europa League

El Kaabi lashed home the opening goal in a game that produced opportunities for both sides, with Olympiacos also chasing their third win of the European campaign.

However, they remain behind Rangers on goal difference thanks to Dessers' equaliser, the Nigerian cutting inside Panagiotis Retsos then rifling his shot across Konstantinos Tzolakis from the edge of the penalty area.

And TNT Sports' Alan Hutton believes Rangers are well-placed to reach the knockout stages of the competition they were losing finalists in two seasons ago.

Highlights: Olympiacos and Rangers play out 1-1 draw

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hutton began his professional career with Rangers and made a century of appearances there before moving to Tottenham Hotspur - who will visit Ibrox in this season's Europa League, managed by former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.

A disappointing defeat to Galatasaray leaves Tottenham just two points ahead of Rangers in the league phase, as Clement has masterminded victories over FCSB and Malmo.

"I thought it was a good reaction to going 1-0 down, they showed that they were more than capable," Hutton said.

"And I think after two away games to be sitting on seven points in the position that they are in is only going to stand them in good stead going forwards."

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