Rangers got their brilliant Europa League campaign back underway tonight under the lights at Antwerp, but it proved tough going.
With VAR in operation, there was an early shout for a Rangers penalty as Connor Goldson pressurised the defender into handling.
It would have been harsh but we’ve seen them given.
It took Rangers a while to find any sort of rhythm and Scott Arfield in particular looked rusty.
Perhaps this wasn’t surprising. He’s been out since December and only played a few minutes at the weekend.
It was a calculated gamble by Gerrard but so far it hasn’t paid off.
Arfield lost the ball on numerous occasions and some fans were saying that this wasn’t the game to bed him back in.
It got worse for Rangers as well with James Tavernier forced to go off after he got on the wrong side of a crunching tackle.
Nathan Patterson would have been the man to come on – but the least said about that the better.
Leon Balogun was the man chosen to replace him with Gerrard perhaps protecting Ryan Jack.
Alfredo Morelos had a great chance when he was put through one-on-one but he opened his body up and put the ball straight into the keeper.
Joe Aribo took advantage of a goalkeeping howler to score from long range after 40 minutes. But Antwerp scored just before half-time against the run of play.
To make things worse, Kemar Roofe, who had also looked like he was struggling, went off on the stroke of half-time and then Antwerp scored a second from a very dodgy looking penalty.
We need a better second half, that’s for sure, but in the meantime, here are the best reactions from Gers fans to Arfield’s return…
Maybe chucking Arfield in after 2 months of not playing in a European away match wasn’t the best idea
— Ianis Hagi RSC 🇷🇴 (@MurrayM72) February 18, 2021
Arfield’s giving me the fear with his touches, so slack
— G (@garryhood1872) February 18, 2021
Roofe and Arfield miles off it here
— Craig Borland (@Craigborland993) February 18, 2021
Can tell Arfield’s been out for a while, touch isn’t there & decision making all wrong
— Allan (@coachallan11) February 18, 2021
Arfield got less than 5 mins against Kilmarnock but starts today. Bit of a risk?
— Ro55 (@roskorfc) February 18, 2021
Arfield just not with it at all so far.
— bluestar (@1872bluestar) February 18, 2021
Arfield again ffs
— John Alexander (@johnale26465604) February 18, 2021
Arfield is having a shocker
— Billy Hungy (@billywizz_13) February 18, 2021
Arfield having an absolute shocker
— – (@RFC1872II) February 18, 2021
Scott Arfield losing possession again, shocking start from him
— Going to the Euros Ryan Jack 🏴 (@RampantRyanJack) February 18, 2021
Arfield shouldn't be on the park man, not the game for bedding a player back in.
Cue Arfield thunderbolt! ⚡🤪
— 𝙏𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙚 🇬🇧 (@rockthekasbah88) February 18, 2021
Arfield is miles off the pace. Totally understandable, but why was he starting??
— Scott (@scottl1872) February 18, 2021
In other Rangers news, ‘Obsessed Celtic fans’, ‘Huge gap’ – Many Bears react to ‘Mental’ post on Old Firm.
