Rangers fell to a lacklustre defeat against Sparta Prague with the home side claiing a 1-0 win to send them in to second place in Group A.
It was a case of what could have been for Steven Gerrard’s side with a chance to get points on the board squandered.
With Connor Goldson ruled out of the game, Calvin Bassey lined-up alongside Leon Balogun in central defence but unfortunately for the former Leicester man, he had a night to forget following a poor showing.
Allan McGregor was back in the time and further starts were handed to Juninho Bacuna and Fashion Sakala.
The first half was fairly even with chances at both ends, before Sparta grabbed what turned out to be the only goal of the game just before the half-time break.
Officially, the game in Prague was ‘behind closed doors’ but due to UEFA dispensation, 10,000 local kids were in attendance.
Sadly, many of the children jeered every touch of the ball by Glen Kamara – a very disappointing and depressing reality.
The night would get worse for the Finland international as he was sent off, following a very soft second yellow card in what was a very disappointing performance overall from the Turkish referee, Ali Palabiyik.
Rangers, wide open at the back, conceded further chances throughout the second-half but Sparta failed to convert when a better team would have taken full advantage.
After going down to 10 men, Rangers applied themselves a bit better but still could not quite create the required chances apart from a very late rally toward the conclusion of the game.
Priorities
This result means that the Brondby double-header over the next two Europa League games becomes make or break in terms of this campaign for Gerrard’s side, who sit bottom of the group and pointless after two games played.
With the team selection tonight, has there been some merit in the argument that one eye has been on the ‘higher priority’ game against Hibs at the weekend. Looking to the squad for others to come in is not a case of not wanting to win or taking things seriously but the line-up on Sunday will be telling.
It is very likely that Morelos, Lundstram and Hagi will get a starting berth against Jack Ross’ team as well as Connor Goldson, if fit.
The goalkeeper conundrum goes on with seemingly no Number 1 in place, with another possible change to follow.
Ultimately, Rangers showed little quality, cohesion, purpose or incision against Sparta tonight and it simply wasn’t good enough.
The quest for form and consistency goes on, with Gerrard and his staff needing to find the answers.