Rangers’ aspirations of reaching the Champions League were ended in cruel fashion at Hampden Park after they were defeated 2-0 at the national stadium by Dynamo Kyiv.
With the third-round qualifying tie delicately poised following the 1-1 draw in Lublin last week, Philippe Clement’s men held every chance in Glasgow against their Ukrainian counterparts, with the score goalless at the break. However, the complexion of the match changed when left-winger Jefte was dismissed for a second yellow card by referee Marco Guida when challenging for high ball with Oleksandr Karavaev. The decision was extremely harsh.
Up against it numerically, Rangers soldiered on before two goals in two minutes for the visitors killed the tie. Oleksandr Pikhalyonok drilled home on 82 minutes before fellow sub Nazar Voloshyn slammed the ball past Jack Butland 60 seconds later. Dynamo Kyiv will now face Austrian side Salzburg in the play-off round, while Rangers drop into the main stage of the Europa League.
We give each player a mark out of ten for their display at Ibrox.
5. Ridvan Yilmaz
The Turk was performing well until his night was cut short on 75 minutes when he appeared to suffer a muscle strain when unleashing a ferocious shot. The sight of him being stretchered off will be a concerning sight for Rangers fans as he grows into the first-choice left-back. 6 | SNS Group
6. Connor Barron
Plenty of energy and drove Rangers on in the first half. Does not look out of place in this team, but was not able to offer a great deal in an attacking sense. 6 | SNS Group
7. Mohamed Diomande
Steady enough in midfield - but was too indecisive when he was able to burst through on goal not long after Jefte's red card. Manager Philippe Clement recognised his limited impact and also wanted a more defensive-minded player on, hence why Dujon Sterling replaced him on 68 minutes. 5 | SNS Group
8. Ross McCausland
Saw plenty of the ball in the first half and spurned Rangers' best chance in that period, his shot too tame to trouble Gregory Buschchan in the Dynamo Kyiv goal. Lots of energy but not enough quality in the final third - which is why he was replaced by Vaclav Cerny at the break. 4 | SNS Group