Tottenham Hotspur’s five-game winless streak continued as they scraped a 1-1 draw against Rangers, thanks to Dejan Kulusevski’s late equalizer and a masterclass in goalkeeping from Fraser Forster.
The atmosphere in Glasgow was electric as Rangers, buoyed by their passionate home support, dominated the opening exchanges. The Scottish side’s high-pressing strategy immediately put Ange Postecoglou’s men on the back foot, forcing uncharacteristic errors from a visibly rattled Tottenham defense.
Former Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster, returning to familiar Scottish territory, proved to be Tottenham’s guardian angel throughout the match. His first crucial intervention came early in the game when he produced a spectacular save to deny the dynamic Vaclav Cerny, who had found space behind Spurs’ defensive line.
While Rangers controlled much of the territorial battle, Tottenham occasionally threatened on the counter-attack. Son Heung-min came closest for the visitors in the first half, but Rangers’ goalkeeper Jack Butland was equal to the task, maintaining parity heading into the break.
The second half began with Rangers’ persistence finally paying dividends. In the 47th minute, Hamza Igamane broke the deadlock, sending the Ibrox faithful into raptures. The goal was a just reward for Rangers’ aggressive approach, and it could have been the first of many if not for Forster’s continued brilliance between the posts.
As Rangers pushed for a second goal that would have likely sealed the contest, Postecoglou made a tactical switch that would prove crucial. Kulusevski, introduced from the bench, made an immediate impact. With fifteen minutes remaining, the Swedish international orchestrated and finished a flowing move that highlighted Tottenham’s attacking potential, even on an otherwise difficult night.
The drama wasn’t over, however. Cyriel Dessers thought he had won it for Rangers late on, but Forster once again came to Tottenham’s rescue with a remarkable save that exemplified his man-of-the-match performance.
The result leaves both teams locked in a tight battle for Europa League progression. Rangers currently occupy the final automatic qualification spot for the last 16, with Tottenham just behind them on goal difference. For Postecoglou’s side, while the point away from home is valuable, the extension of their winless run to five matches will be a growing concern.
The match also highlighted the struggles of Timo Werner, who endured a frustrating evening before being substituted at halftime. The German forward, unable to make an impact, found himself consistently thwarted by Rangers’ well-organized defense, his touches heavy and his passing lacking precision.
Looking ahead, both teams face crucial fixtures this weekend. Tottenham will attempt to arrest their slide when they visit struggling Southampton in the Premier League. Rangers, meanwhile, face an even more significant challenge as they prepare for an Old Firm showdown against Celtic in the Scottish League Cup final.
For Postecoglou, returning to Glasgow where he previously managed Celtic, the evening will have brought mixed emotions. While his team showed resilience to fight back for a point, the performance underlined the work still needed to return Tottenham to their best form. However, in Forster and Kulusevski, he found two players who rose to the occasion when their team needed them most.
The draw maintains both teams’ European aspirations, but as the competition intensifies, both managers will know that improved performances will be essential in the matches ahead. For now, Rangers will rue their missed opportunities, while Tottenham will gratefully accept a point that their goalkeeper did more than anyone to secure.
