When a team like Rangers is playing a team like Athletic Club, they need everything to go their way and to have their best players available.
Barry Ferguson was already up against it with John Souttar and Mohamed Diomande suspended, but there was also the recent form of Jack Butland that saw him make a change between the posts.
As it was, Rangers had nothing to worry about with Liam Kelly given the man of the match award after his dramatic penalty save kept the tie firmly in the balance.
Predicted by Jose Mourinho, the officials seemed intent on helping the visitors on the road to Bilbao with two VAR decisions infuriating the Ibrox faithful.
To make matters worse Rangers finished the game with nine men with injuries forcing Ferguson’s hand, with the gaffer providing an update to TNT Sports after the game.
Rangers manager gives update on Bailey Rice and Dujon Sterling
Bailey Rice had been putting in his best performance for Rangers when he was poleaxed and stretchered off in the second half.
Initial fears of something more sinister were eased when the teenage midfielder applauded fans on his way off the pitch, and the good news is that he could be back soon.
“Bailey got a knock on the back of his neck,” said Ferguson.
“He’s fine now, he’s sitting, talking, and going about his teammates.”
“We just need to wait and see with Duj.
“He’ll go for a scan tomorrow morning.
“I’m looking forward to Sunday, that’s my concern in seeing how many bodies I’ve got to travel up to Aberdeen.”
Lengthy Sterling absence will be a blow for Rangers
Unfortunately, things don’t look quite as good for Dujon Sterling after landing awkwardly challenging for a header.
The Chelsea academy graduate can’t seem to shake off a variety of traumatic injuries this season with the latest affecting what looked like his ankle.
Sterling has been in oustanding form for Ferguson since returning from a stress fracture and had made a real impact as the right-sided centre-half.
Not many defenders can give Nico Williams a head start and still come out on top.
Only a handful of Rangers players played more games in 2024 than Sterling, but luck just hasn’t been on his side.
Similar to the fate of Ferguson against Athletic.
