Liam Kelly was the hero for Rangers as they battled to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Athletic Bilbao. The Light Blues were forced to play with 10 men for most of the match after Robin Propper was sent off for a professional foul on Inaki Williams.
The VAR system was in use throughout the match, and it intervened twice, first to upgrade Propper’s initial yellow card to a red card and then to award a penalty to Bilbao for handball by Dujon Sterling. However, Kelly saved the penalty to secure a heroic draw for Rangers.
The awarding of the penalty has been questioned, with former referee Keith Hackett calling for UEFA to investigate. Hackett believes that there was no clarity in the replays to determine whether Sterling deliberately handled the ball.
If UEFA investigates, it could lead to further action, and the officials involved may face scrutiny ahead of the second leg. The return match in Bilbao next Thursday promises to be intense, with Rangers looking to overcome the Spaniards and reach the semi-finals.
Rangers interim manager Barry Ferguson will be looking for his team to show the same ferocity and determination in the second leg, despite being reduced to 10 men for most of the first match.
