Malmo lost in Bulgaria last night against Ludogorets but their strong first leg performance was the springboard to secure their place in the Champions League group stage.
Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side lost 2-1 but prevailed with a 2-3 aggregate score to take their place at the big table with all the riches that come with it.
Following Rangers unfortunate Covid news on Tuesday evening, this result just makes things that wee bit worse and another case of ‘what could have been?’
The disappointment over the Malmo defeat is one that will linger for some time for all at Ibrox, but that can only be put to bed with Rangers own qualification for the CL, when it comes.
Malmo extend their lead v Ludogorets in their Champions League qualifier thanks to Veljko Birmancevic’s rocket of a free-kick! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/ghVa9nOWuv
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 24, 2021
Thanks to Vejko Birmancevic’s stunning strike, above, the Swedish champions now join Europe’s big guns as they prevented their hosts from taking the game into extra-time.
In terms of Rangers, it means very little now – the Champions League is gone for another year.
With a manic few days ahead – updates on the Covid tests followed by the games against Alashkert and Celtic, there is more than enough directly concerning our own situation to focus on but the Malmo result will get a grudging acknowledgement.
Consolidation for the Gers in Armenia will be accepted, given the situation and once the full details are set-out, we can take stock before the Old Firm derby battle at Ibrox on Sunday.
Strap yourself in for the ride of the next few days…