Rangers were eliminated from the Europa League after a 2-0 defeat to Athletic Club at San Mames. Despite a strong performance, the Scottish side couldn’t overcome the Basque country’s dominance.
The match was marked by another contentious refereeing decision, with Rangers furious over a non-penalty call involving Cyriel Dessers. The striker’s shirt was pulled by Dani Vivian in the penalty area, but the referee chose not to award a penalty.
Basque journalist Andoni Otxotorena defended the referee’s decision, stating that the contact was minimal and didn’t warrant a penalty. Ally McCoist disagreed, arguing that it should have been a penalty by the letter of the law.
The refereeing decisions have been a point of contention throughout the tie. Rangers had Robin Propper sent off in the first leg, a decision considered harsh, and also gave away a penalty at Ibrox. The lack of a penalty for Dessers potentially changed the game’s course, as Rangers went on to concede a penalty at the other end and ultimately lost.
Despite being beaten by the better team, Rangers felt that the outcome could have been different if they had earned the penalty and taken the lead. The defeat marks the end of their European campaign, and they now focus on rebuilding for next season.
With a disappointing domestic campaign behind them, Rangers will look to regroup and prepare for the future. However, the club’s managerial situation remains uncertain, with Barry Ferguson’s caretaker role set to end soon. The search for a new permanent manager will be a priority in the coming weeks.
