Instant impact from Patterson too fast for Franky

Royal Antwerp boss Franky Vercauteren admitted that he was caught short by Nathan Patterson’s explosive second-half start.

The Gers youngster was in a hurry to make amends for his Covid breach controversy and had put the ball in the back of the net after only 16 seconds of play in the second half, before Vercauteren had came back down the tunnel.

“When Rangers scored at the start of the second half, it was so quick I hadn’t even arrived on the bench.”

“Rangers are a very good team in some areas for sure, but they are also vulnerable in other areas. They are a team that can be beaten.”

“I thought we were really good in an attacking sense, but defensively we were not good enough.”

“We also gave away four penalties in two games and most of Rangers’ other goals were mistakes and giveaways from us.”

“Unfortunately, those gifts to the Scots made all the difference.”

You just couldn't write it! 🤯

Restored to the squad, on at half-time. All it took was 16 seconds for Nathan Patterson! ⚡️

That's how to answer your critics! 👏#UEL pic.twitter.com/xtn3nYybWU

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 25, 2021

Reality

In Thursday’s second leg, Antwerp were cut open for Rangers second and third goals.

They were simply caught cold by Patterson and the sublime team move finished off soon after by Ryan Kent was of the highest quality.

This supplemented Kent’s superb individual effort in Antwerp with Morelos involved in the build up as he was for almost all of Rangers goals over the two legs.

Yes, Vercauteren’s side were sloppy at times with the penalties conceded but the same could be said for Rangers defensive showing.

The reality is that Rangers were the better team over the two games, with Morelos as the shining light, and deserved to progress to the Last 16.