Kyle Lafferty's equaliser ensured Rangers made an unbeaten start to the Europa League group stage with a 2-2 draw at Villarreal
The hosts had a number of chances to add to a first-minute opener, finished in style by Carlos Bacca from 20 yards with only 45 seconds on the clock, but passed up two open goals
Rangers punished them with their first shot on target, having been second-best for much of the game, when Scott Arfield side-footed in from close range to level (67)
Villarreal hit back immediately when substitute Gerard drifted inside of Borna Barisic and slotted in at the near post (69)
But Rangers equalised once again with a wonderful counter-attack, Lafferty finishing off a first-time low cross from Barisic (76) to earn them a point from their first game in Group G
A draw would have seemed a great result when Bacca took advantage of a lucky bounce off debutant Joe Worrall to fire into the top corner from outside the box with less than a minute on the clock, as Villarreal took full control of the first half at El Madrigal
But it was not until after half-time they forged a clear-cut chance to cement their lead, when Allan McGregor raced off his line and tackled Karl Toko Ekambi, but the loose ball fell for Bacca, who missed from 25 yards with the goal gaping
Rangers had barely had a kick, but levelled when James Tavernier found himself one on one with Victor Ruiz, who hacked him down
The referee waved advantage and Daniel Candeias' low ball across the six-yard box was flicked home by Arfield
Villarreal were stunned but replied instantly, as Barisic afforded Gerard far too much space to run at him before cutting inside and spotting a gap inside the near post
The confidence of that first Rangers goal remained in the visitors, though, and they found a second equaliser of the night when substitute Glenn Middleton's inch-perfect ball down the outside found Barisic's run, and he crossed for Lafferty who fired in from close-range
Both sides could have won it in injury-time, with Arfield seeing a weak shot held and Bacca heading wide when unmarked, but the spoils were shared as Rangers overcame a tricky task in returning with something to show from their trip to Spain
It was great to see the former Arsenal man back in business, and he was superb for Villarreal all night
 From pulling off set-piece routines to perfection, to seemingly never missing a pass, the midfielder was excellent from a deep-lying role
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