Rangers Captain Remains Optimistic Despite Europa League Struggles
Rangers captain James Tavernier is determined to keep hopes alive for his team to advance to the knockout stages of the Europa League, despite having secured only one point from their first five matches.
In a recent match at Ibrox, ten-man Sporting Braga capitalized on a defensive mistake by Nasser Djiga, resulting in a 1-1 draw after Rodrigo Zalazar was sent off for headbutting Nicolas Raskin.
Tavernier opened the scoring for Rangers just before halftime after Gabri Martinez handled the ball, with his goal equaling former striker Ally McCoist's record of 21 European goals for the club.
While the draw ended Rangers' seven-game losing streak in European competitions, the road ahead remains challenging with upcoming matches against Ferencvaros and Porto, as well as a home game against Ludogorets. To advance, the team needs to secure nine points, making their progression appear unlikely.
“It feels almost like a loss,” Tavernier admitted. “As a Rangers player, you must win every single game. That’s our goal from now until the end of this competition. It’s definitely not over, but we need to build from this.”
Djiga's error, where he inadvertently headed the ball into Martinez’s path under no pressure, proved costly. The defender appeared to misjudge the ball's trajectory in challenging conditions.
With injuries to John Souttar and Derek Cornelius, Djiga was paired with Emmanuel Fernandez, a combination that ultimately led to Rangers missing out on a crucial win. “I have no complaints about Nasser; everyone makes mistakes. However, we should have secured the game before that mistake happened,” Tavernier stated.
“We need to be more patient and probe around their final third instead of rushing our shots. I’ve talked about being clinical in both boxes, and that’s essential for us. If we keep a clean sheet, we win. That’s our aim as a team.”
Rangers Boss Danny Rohl's Perspective
Rangers manager Danny Rohl expressed disappointment but noted the team's competitiveness during the first 60 minutes of the match. “I think it’s a step forward,” he said. “In the second half, we controlled the game until one mistake led to a cheap goal. We need to improve our performance over the full 90 minutes.”
Rohl acknowledged the team's progress since his arrival four weeks ago, stating, “We didn’t just miss the opportunity today; it’s about the past four games. There’s a noticeable difference in our performance, and it’s clear we’re moving in the right direction. However, in European competitions, mistakes can be costly.”
“I see the effort the players put in, but there’s pressure and expectation to deliver results,” he added.
Critiques from Former Players
Ally McCoist, a former Rangers striker and manager, voiced concerns about the team's capabilities, stating, “I’m not sure the team is capable of improving significantly. I hope I’m wrong.”
He emphasized the importance of avoiding mistakes like the one that led to the goal conceded. “There’s a lot of work to be done to elevate Rangers to the next level,” he remarked.
Former midfielder Andy Halliday added, “One of the biggest criticisms is the mental side. There are evident lapses in concentration, as seen with Djiga's misjudgment of an easy ball into the box.”
Fan Reactions
Fan sentiments varied, with some expressing frustration at the team's performance. Gary remarked, “Rohl has lost the plot if he thinks that’s progress. The supporters need better after that.”
Jonny criticized the team's defensive lineup, stating, “Djiga and Fernandez aren’t good enough. This team needs a major overhaul.”
Another fan, Denis, expressed disappointment, saying, “Rangers lack backbone, and many players are simply not good enough. January can’t come soon enough for improvements.”
David lamented the team's lackluster performance, questioning how fans can continue to support such a display weekly. Steven concluded, “Let’s accept that Rangers are unlikely to advance to the next round. Even with a better result tonight, we can’t compete against teams like Porto with our current defense.”