Rangers travelled to Moscow to take on Spartak Moscva who were in desperate need of three points. The game must have been entertaining for any neutrals watching, but the tie slowly ended into a nightmare for Steven Gerrard’s men as they succumbed to their first defeat in Europe this season.
The game was open and end to end as the home side had to go for three points. Therefore they were attacking in numbers. The first half was full of action, some brilliant play, some shoddy defensive work, some good runs and a poor call from the linesman. You name it and the first half had everything. The Gers went ahead twice and were pegged back by the Russian outfit who brought it on level terms. However, Glenn Middleton’s goal late in the first half saw them take the lead once again and end the half at 3-2.
Rangers failed to turn up in the second half and were stunned by two quick goals. The Light Blues were unable to threaten much in the second 45 apart from the final 5 minutes and what seemed like a comfortable win at one stage ended with Gerrard and his men returning empty-handed from Russia.
Here is how the fans reacted on Twitter after their unbeaten run in Europe came to an end.
Some fans were seemingly miffed with Joe Worrall’s earlier comments where he clearly indicated that he didn’t want to extend his stay at Ibrox beyond this season.
https://twitter.com/JG93_/status/1060574866422796288
Candeias’ first goal was sublime as he made the run and finished brilliantly. However, he was also partially to be blamed for the first goal the Bears conceded.
He kinda frustrates me at times but I kinda love him at other times
— Scott (@ScottM_1872__) November 8, 2018
Goldson’s own goal was certainly avoidable and the fans also seem to share similar sentiments.
https://twitter.com/AndrewGWilson1/status/1060605332764921856
The finish from the defender for the own goal was so perfect it was almost as if he meant it.
https://twitter.com/CHope_87/status/1060606021096431622
One fan summed it up perfectly as both teams defending was at sixes and sevens in the first half.
Crazy 1st half in Moscow. Rangers 3-2 up and had a perfectly good goal chalked off wrongly for offside. Both teams defending like a bag of old spanners.
— Fraser Campbell (@FraserC69) November 8, 2018
Blowing hot and cold throughout the game.
Rangers are so bipolar it’s unreal
— Reiss (@ReissBell_) November 8, 2018
https://twitter.com/JonathonMoar/status/1060619303043678210
That was a poor performance from Rangers. Couldn’t retain possession. Spartak left so much space to counter yet it was consistently wasted. And at this level when your back four can’t defend a ball over the top it’s always going to be a struggle. Game management found wanting.
— Jordan Campbell (@JordanC1107) November 8, 2018
The defenders took the major blame for the loss.
I wouldn't have said Tav was poor really, and Katic made some good challenges. Goldson won a good few headers but made some horrific errors. Flanagan was shocking from start to finish
— Craig (@calex1991) November 8, 2018
Ryan Jack definitely needs to come in midfield after another poor outing from Coulibaly.
Jack over Coulibaly everytime for me. Needs to keep the ball much better
— James (@James_HFL) November 8, 2018
That’s what every fan would be thinking tonight as it unreal to imagine that the team didn’t come with anything after scoring three goals away from home. They were also hard done by the linesman for a fair goal which Morelos scored. Hopefully, a loss for Celtic afterwards would bring the much-needed relief in the Gers fans life.
It’s tough being a Rangers fan..
— Alec (@AlexMacd17) November 8, 2018
