The Champions League dream turned into a nightmare for Rangers as they were mauled 4-0 for the second time in five days - this time by an awesome Ajax team. They had waited 12 years to get back to this stage and they couldn't have imagined it would have gone so horribly wrong.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst had challenged his side to bounce back from their defeat to Celtic at Parkhead at the weekend but instead they served up another shocker. Again, they were three goals down at the break and now the pressure has cranked up ahead of their trip to Aberdeen in the league on Saturday. Here are Record Sport's ratings from the Johan Cruyff Arena.
JON McLAUGHLIN: Given a major show of faith by his boss after that Old Firm nightmare but blameless this time. Decent stops from Taylor and Tadic kept the score from looking even worse. 5
JAMES TAVERNIER: Boyhood dream of leading his team out in Europe’s top tourney turned into a nightmare. Tormented by Bergwijn before being shrugged aside as Kudus rifled home the third. Subbed off at half-time. 3
CONNOR GOLDSON: So often the rock at the back for Rangers but his resistance crumbled in the face of Ajax’s relentless pressure as his backline shipped four goals for the second game running. 4
JAMES SANDS: Failed to take responsibility as Alvarez marched on to Steven Berghuis’s corner to head home the opener but unlucky to be the deflection fall guy for Berghuis’s goal. 4
BORNA BARISIC: Consolation strike chalked off by VAR for an offside in the build-up. Vital tackle on Kudus denied the Ajax a wonder goal but spent most of first half facing the wrong way as Eredivise giants toyed with the Scots. 4
JOHN LUNDSTRAM: Didn’t get close enough to Berghuis and paid the price as the Dutchman’s deflected strike put Ajax 2-0 up. Repeatedly overrun in midfield. 4
GLEN KAMARA: Back in starting line-up despite lasting just 45 minutes at Celtic Park. Derby drubbing has clearly affected his confidence and Ajax took full advantage, hounding his every touch. 3
SCOTT WRIGHT: Brought into the team in the hope he could provide energy down the right but failed to lay a glove on the dominant Dutch outfit and was hooked at the break. 3
MALIK TILLMAN: Made one daring run early on but the move broke down as the American ran out of gas and ideas. Sacrificed at the break as van Bronckhorst moved to limit the damage. 4
RYAN KENT: Teed up Barisic for the goal but yet another night where he failed to live up to his reputation as one of Rangers big-game hunters. Confidence looks shot. 3
ANTONIO COLAK: A passenger. Rangers really need more from their frontman’s hold-up play if they are to survive repeated onslaughts at this level. Might have to start worrying about his place if Morelos can get himself fit. 3
Substitutes
RABBI MATONDO - on at the break for Wright. Created a decent chance for Kent. 3
LEON KING - took over from Tavernier at the interval. Helped stem flow of attacks down Rangers’ right. 3
RYAN JACK - another half-time replacement with the game gone. Gifted Bergwijn the fourth. 2
STEVEN DAVIS - Replaced Kamara late on. 2
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