As RB Leipzig lick their wounds following an Erling Haaland Man City masterclass, the Champions League humbling can help soothe the pain of Rangers’ shortcomings.
The Ibrox club are still sore from a bruising first appearance at European football’s top table for 12 years, Rangers fans eventually being put out of their misery in a group of death with Ajax, Liverpool and Napoli.
The team put in statistically the worst-ever performance from a group stage side, Rangers failing to muster a single point with a GD of -20.
Whilst high-profile injuries played a huge part, Rangers fans have been left stunned in a season of discontent which is probably best summed up by that 7-1 hammering at home to Liverpool; the club’s worst ever home defeat.
But if Rangers fans are still lamenting their first Champions League foray, they need only look at the astonishing five goals scored by Erling Haaland in a 7-0 Man City knockout round humbling of RB Leipzig.
Erling Haaland RB Leipzig rout proves Rangers are not alone
The big Norwegian striker has been blowing teams away ever since his reported £51m summer move to the Etihad and he took his haul to 39 goals for the season. In 36 games.
Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin de Bruyne also scored in the game, but RB Leipzig couldn’t even muster a goal as the Bundesliga outfit succumbed to a devastating defeat to one of Europe’s elite.
This a side who have spent literal millions getting to the top of German football – they’re currently 3rd – and, if anything, it shows the growing disparity between the Premier League and but a handful of teams.
Being sliced, diced and torn apart at Champions League level is possible for anyone and as Rangers fans lick their wounds, they surely know they are not alone.
What’s more, a club and team on a much stronger financial footing, albeit beaten by Rangers last season, have succumbed to the muscle and talent on show down south.
Still, it won’t stop us expecting Rangers to put up more of a fight next season, even if Erling Haaland was to find the kind of form he did in Manchester against RB Leipzig.
Meanwhile, Angus Gunn has officially switched his allegiances amid links to Rangers.