Rangers’ Europa League campaign was supposed to be a very exciting one as the supporters were very eager to see all the eight new signings turn up for the apparently new and improved Rangers. But the Gers were dealt a major blow as their European juggernaut ended even before it properly took off.
Rangers got a flying start to their first European adventure in the last few seasons as they defeated Luxembourg side Progres Niederkorn 1-0 in the first leg of the Europa League qualifier first round.
But they got a severe battering in the second leg at the hands of the Luxembourg side as the Scottish side were humiliated 2-0 at the Josy Barthel. The first half was evenly contested but the home side ensured their path to the next round by two second-half strikes from Emmanuel Francoise and Sebastien Thill.
Pedro Caixinha had brought in eight players and the number has become nine after the Scottish side agreed on a fee for Norwich midfielder Graham Dorrans. Caixinha rang in a number of changes and handed a start to four of the new arrivals. But that could hardly make any difference as the Scottish side crashed out of Europe.
The loss was severe in terms of equality as Rangers are a vastly experienced and talented team than Progres whose last goal in an esteemed UEFA competition came back in 1981.
Gers had a couple of chances in the match to find the back of the net but both Josh Windass and Kenny Miller failed to get past the opponent keeper. The Portuguese coach exclaimed his disappointment after the game. “I’m just disappointed. I assume all the responsibility.
“We could not do what we were here to do – win the game. “
This result could have serious implication on their domestic season and they do need a good pre-season to boost up their confidence so they would be able to bounce back from their lacklustre start to the season.
Celtic supporters have thrashed the Gers for getting humiliated at the hand of a relatively unknown team on Twitter.
Paul Gascoigne has appeared in Luxembourg with a fishing rod and an orange sash claiming to be a close friend of Rangers
— Meestah Sahmon (@meestah_sahmon) July 4, 2017
THIS IS HOW IT FEELS TO BE RANGERS
THIS IS HOW IT FEELS TO BE SMALL
THIS IS HOW IT FEELS WHEN YOUR PASSPORT’S BACK IN YOUR DRAWER— ? (@donn_1967) July 4, 2017
Rangers are taking Brexit a bit too serious. #loyal
— – (@Tam_Selleck) July 4, 2017
That goal took progres tally in europe to two goals in their history, one more than rangers
— ??div?? (@divybhoy1888) July 4, 2017
Also, Celtic fans are urging the Scottish Football Association to dock Rangers of the 14 trophies won so far after today’s verdict in the High Court. You can read all about the judgment here.
Rangers knocked out by a team from Luxembourg which is ironically a tax haven. The gift that keeps giving
— Ross ConnelI (@RosskoC) July 5, 2017
Confirmed we where not paranoid,tax should have been paid on earnings therefore Gers gained unfair advantage
Over to the clubs,strip titles pic.twitter.com/TYYoRelYPI— Lord Lonesome Hermit (@kinghoopy) July 5, 2017
The tax cheating at the deceased club was rooted in a Herrenvolk exceptionalism. The “WATP” ultimately meant “We Avoid Tax Payments”.
Cheats— Phil MacGiollaBhain (@Pmacgiollabhain) July 5, 2017
