Glasgow Rangers' sense of timing proved immaculate last night as they finally hit their peak at exactly the right moment to launch themselves onto the brink of the Champions League.
The onslaught was started by Jorg Albertz after 28 minutes when the pace and movement of an effort from distance surprised Herfolge goalkeeper Jakup Mikkelsen.
It was the beginning of the end for Herfolge as three minutes later Rod Wallace, wasteful in front of goal to date this term, proved lethal from a yard out to tap in a second.
Rangers were never going to relinquish control after that and on the hour-mark their margin of victory was extended still further when Lorenzo Amoruso rifled in a free-kick.
The result makes the return leg in a fortnight a formality for Rangers to reach the first group phase of the Champions League, the competition destined to make or break their season.
Herfolge: Mikkelsen, Lustu, Jacobsen, Lykke, K. Jensen (Jakobsen 37), Hoyer, Falck, Hermansen, Schramm, Kastrup, Thomsen. Subs Not Used: Udengaard, J. Jensen, Henriksen, Heyde, Abel, Knudsen. Booked: Jakobsen.
Rangers: Klos, Porrini, Konterman, Amoruso, Reyna, Ferguson, McCann (Johnston 59), van Bronckhorst, Albertz, Dodds (Kanchelskis 68), Wallace. Subs Not Used: Brown, Tugay, Ricksen, Miller, Vidmar.
Referee: Lubomir Pucek (Poland).
