Beasley strikes as cool Gers ease past Zeta test

FK Zeta 0 Rangers 1 (Rangers win 3-0 on agg)

The American, who played in the semi-finals of this competition for PSV Eindhoven two years ago, lashed a 20-yard shot past FK Zeta goalkeeper Sasa Ivanovic in the 81st minute to extend Rangers’ aggregate lead to 3-0 after victory at Ibrox last week.

Captain Barry Ferguson praised Beasley’s performance: “He played really well and showed he’s got tremendous pace. If he adds goals to his game we’ll have made a good signing.”

Beasley and team-mate Jean-Claude Darcheville had earlier experienced some racist taunting from the home crowd on a night which was otherwise trouble-free for Rangers.

Zarko Korac wasted a decent chance to halve Rangers’ lead when he headed over the bar from eight yards.

Beasley netted the only goal of the night in the 81st minute, darting in off the left flank and drilling a low right-footed shot just inside the left post.

Rangers will face either Red Star Belgrade or Levadia Tallinn in the next round.

ZETA: S Ivanovic, Igumanovic, Radulovic, M Kaludjerovic, B Ivanovic (Boljevic 70), Markovic, Cetkovic, Tumbasovic (Vuckovic 84), Djurovic (Knezevic 56), Stjepanovic, Korac.

RANGERS: McGregor, Broadfoot, Weir, Papac, Cuellar, Ferguson, Hemdani, Thomson (Adam 87), Beasley, McCulloch, Darcheville (Novo 61). Ref: Paolo Dondarini (Italy).