Rangers have kissed goodbye to European football for the season after losing away to Rapid Vienna in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
An Allan McGregor kick-out blunder in the 84th minute allowed the home side to advance on the Gers’ goal, with Dejan Ljubicic finishing his chance to secure the 1-0 victory.
It was a disappointing end to what has been a superb European campaign and it was a bitter injustice to see a McGregor error cause the defeat given his heroics in a Rangers jersey in the competition this season.
He’s made a string of incredible saves from the early qualifying stages right through to Group G action.
That’s probably why fans were mostly sympathetic to the player after the mistake, preferring to offer the goalkeeper their support than blast him.
He deserves plaudits for dragging the Gers through Europe this season and these supporters took to Twitter to pay tribute to his influence between the sticks throughout the campaign…
https://twitter.com/Jamesreiid/status/1073323864279654403
https://twitter.com/minniedogg/status/1073328013704613888
Gutted for shagger tonight as he knew that his poor distribution lead to that goal but wee would never have taken it to the last game without his heroics 🖐🏻⚽️🤚🏻#Rangerstillidie
— David J Bain (@DavidJohnBain1) December 13, 2018
Poor mcgregor man gutted for him. honestly only one man performed for me and that was Ross McCrorie. We had a few chances but none taken focus on the league now
— RTID 🇬🇧 WATP 🇬🇧 (@RfcWullieb) December 13, 2018
At the end of the day we all know McGregor's has had harder saves but no point killing him over this he bloody got us most of the way the team fucked it tonight it's a gutted😡 💔 but I'd rather be a billy than a? 💙🇬🇧
❤️⚪💙 🇬🇧 💔🇬🇧— 💙 (@XCatmac) December 13, 2018
Alan McGregor is not above criticism but fuck me, I know football, some things go against you, but if your good, people know when your unlucky or made a mistake that isn't up to your normal standards….still need a big player who unlocks the door. Well done Rangers. Great effort
— Big Tosh (@bigtosh1972) December 13, 2018
Feel for McGregor there, been class for Rangers all season
— Tommy (@trothers92) December 13, 2018
Previous article:
Pride, frustration and missed opportunities – The complicated feelings about Rangers in Europe