Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Graeme Young

What the Rangers pundits said as Ally McCoist goes from referee rage to near tears after Europa League thriller

Amazed Ally McCoist insists Rangers were victims of the worst decision of the season in their Europa League second leg with Braga.

But the club hero and was delighted by the way Gio van Bronckhorst's side thrilled on a glorious night as they reached the semi finals of the Europa League with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

The Govan icon was on punditry duty but was left astonished by the decision to rule out a goal for handball on Borna Barisic.

It mattered not as a James Tavernier's double set the home side's wheels in motion for a meeting with RB Leipzig of Germany's Bundesliga and a battle for final placement.

Proceedings could have been even sweeter for Rangers as Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey also had goals ruled out, which they were eventually made to pay for with David Carmo's header from a corner.

But Roofe finally got his goal heading towards half-time in extra-time and it seals a return to Germany after their success over Borussia Dortmund earlier this year.

Club legend Mark Hateley - speaking on BBC Sport - loved the gung ho display from his former side.

Mark Hateley

He said: "We were talking about how important the full-backs were for Rangers tonight, getting them into the game early. That's what everybody wanted to see tonight.

"Rangers are worthy of that second goal. They've had lots of chances this like. James Tavernier is as cool as you like, strikes it down the middle.

"Once the ball goes out wide, it's going into the box. There are three or four blue shirts in there every time Rangers have it. That's the plan - they're not messing around, they're not sending it back in to midfield."

Ally McCoist

Kemar Roofe continues his celebrations after putting Rangers 3-1 in front. (Reuters)

Rangers' top goalscorer of all time meanwhile reckons the Portuguese side were also hard done by over the decision from referee Francois Letexier to send off Vitor Tormena for bundling over Kemar Roofe.

But progression leaves him smiling from ear to ear after his former side booked a European last four spot for the first time since 2008.

Speaking on BT Sport, he said: "I tell you what he has got right - getting the two big decisions wrong. It is a penalty but it's harsh sending the boy off.

"He goes with his left in an attempt to play the ball and his right hand on his shoulder.

"The two centre-back's have been all over the place in the first half. Listen, bottom line, it's one of the worst decisions I've seen all season (disallowed goal).

"The referee gives the goal and an obvious error has to be made to change his decision. He thinks it's a deliberate handball, clearly, and if that is the case, Barisic should be in the circus.

"They didn't half put us through the ringer but what an achievement, what a result. I thought it would be a long, long time before we saw this football club in a European semi-final again.

"It's enormous credit to everyone. Rangers deserved it. What an achievement. It's magnificent.

Kenny Miller

The new interim Falkirk boss reckons his old side should fear no foe in this competition - as the Ibrox crowd provide a 12th man factor like few can.

He added: "It's not over yet. There's no reason they can't go all the way to the final. It's one home and away game against a very good team.

"But this is a very good Rangers team.- These nights is when they show up and show their best. So there's no reason for it to end here.

"The start Rangers have in a game is so important. They get this 50,000 behind them and any team coming here, they will find it tough.

"These fans have a big part to play in the semi-final."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.