As Rangers were shipping two goals away to Union Saint Gilloise, potential Champions League playoff opponents Monaco and PSV played out a 1-1 draw.
If Rangers can overcome a 2-0 defeat in Belgium at Ibrox next week – a tall order given how poorly the club played in Belgium – they will face the winner of that tie in the Playoff round.
For Rangers fans heading into the USG game, plenty had already cast an eye onto that potential Playoff clash which is looking more and more like a pipe dream by the match.
If Rangers do reach the Playoff, facing either Monaco or PSV is a massive challenge in of itself but after 90 minutes in France it’s still all to play for between the two clubs.
PSV and Monaco draw as Rangers fall to Union Saint Gilloise defeat
A familiar face in midfielder Joey Veerman – linked extensively to Rangers at the beginning of last season – opened the scoring in the match with a fine finish at the edge of the box.
Rangers fans have long rued missing out on the midfielder during his time at Heerenveen, with Joey Veerman heading to PSV in a £5m deal in January [Football Oranje].
Perhaps the fact Rangers failed to sign the midfielder and that Veerman scored for PSV in the Champions League qualifiers is symbolic of the club’s shortcomings in the transfer market.
Monaco would then equalise with around 10 minutes to play, Axel Disasi first to react as the ball came in for a free kick.
Sweeping the ball home, the goal very much keeps the tie alive with the Ligue 1 club heading to Eindhoven next week for the second leg of the Champions League qualifier.
But this might well mean nothing to Rangers who have it all do after a lacklustre, timid, uninventive display from the side in Belgium.
Rangers fell to a 2-0 defeat against Union Saint Gilloise and despite grumbles about a VAR-awarded penalty kick it’s hard to argue against the score line.
It was an unacceptable performance by the squad and management and fans are perfectly within their rights to be angry.