Rangers crash out of the Europa League after defeat to Athletic Club in Bilbao in a match that was marred in penalty controversy.
A late first half penalty from Oihan Sancet gave the Gers a massive job to do in Spain before Nico Williams added a late header which effectively ends Rangers’ season in Spain.
Here’s four things we learned as Rangers crash out of the Europa League to this season’s hosts.
Cyriel Dessers should’ve had a first half penalty kick
In a tight match it turned out Rangers v Athletic Club would be decided on two major penalty calls.
In the first half, Cyriel Dessers literally had the shirt ripped off his back but the referee and the VAR team did not deem the situation worthy of a penalty kick.
As a tight first half wore to a close, Athletic Club were awarded a penalty of their own when Moroccan striker Maroan Sarradi stole in in front of John Souttar.
Athletic’s penalty certainly looked soft, Rangers’ shout appears to be a stonewaller, and now conspiracy theories are rife that Jose Mourinho might’ve been correct.
Injuries cost Rangers as ‘adaptable’ Gers pay price of changes
Rangers went into the game lacking a natural right-wing back after James Tavernier was shunted to right centre-back and Dujon Sterling suffered an Achilles injury.
Things went from bad to worse when Ridvan Yilmaz was subbed off early on, forcing Jefte to left centre-back, Tavernier to right wing-back and Mohamed Diomande to left wing-back.
The chaos continued when Leon Balogun went off with a head knock early in the second half to be replaced by Clinton Nsiala, with Rangers going four at the back in search of a winner.
There’s being adaptable and then there’s an element of chaos, something summed up by Barry Ferguson eventually having to explain an on-pitch note handed to James Tavernier.
Barry Ferguson’s trial as Rangers manager likely to end in pain
Barry Ferguson had a three-month trial to try and prove his credentials as a permanent Rangers manager but it looks set to end in tears.
Rangers might’ve been out of every competition domestically by the time Ferguson took charge, but having crashed out of the Europa League the Scotsman’s chances look bleak.
US investors are set to come into Rangers this summer and it looks increasingly unlikely Ferguson will be offered the job full-time.
It puts a bow on what’s been a bitterly disappointing few weeks for Rangers, whose domestic performances have left a lot to be desired.
End of the line for several in misfiring Rangers squad
The misfiring Rangers squad have come in for substantial criticism all season long as a strung out team built by a mixture of Steven Gerrard, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Michael Beale and Philippe Clement reach the end of the line.
Change is on the horizon at Rangers, in many respects, and this team looks set to be ripped up in the summer.
Over the piece it’s been a season of bitter disappointment and Rangers fans now look set to switch off before a wave of optimism hits the club when the US buyers take hold.
