Ally McCoist fumes at James Tavernier in Rangers defeat v Athletic Bilbao
Rangers crashed out of the Europa League in the quarter-final stage on Thursday, whimpering to a 2-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao.
The Bears did well to hold Ernesto Valverde’s men to a 0-0 draw at Ibrox on 10 April despite the fact that Robin Propper was sent off.
However, an away trip to Bilbao proved one step too far for Barry Ferguson’s side, who bowed out of the Europa League at the last-eight stage.
The La Liga side took a 1-0 lead through Oihan Sancet’s penalty, after the Gers were not awarded a spot-kick of their own despite a shirt pull on Cyriel Dessers, with Nico Williams later finishing things off.
McCoist hammers Tavernier after Bilbao knockout blow
Gers captain James Tavernier failed to track Bilbao’s Williams, enabling the wideman to score the goal which put the Ibrox side’s Europa League hopes to bed.
Reacting to the replays, Ally McCoist said on TNT Sports 2 [17 April, 21:41]: “He (Tavernier) just completely switches off, body position really poor, you’ve got to open up.”
| James Tavernier | Rangers stats |
| Appearances | 508 |
| Goals | 130 |
The Bears skipper, who has made over 500 appearances for the Ibrox giants, will be disappointed that he was largely responsible for his side’s defeat, with the season now over.
Ferguson may not become permanent Rangers boss after Ibrox defeat
The Gers’ domestic season is all but over as they have no chance of catching bitter rivals Celtic in the Scottish Premiership title race, which may already be wrapped up by the next Old Firm Derby at Ibrox on 4 May.
The Bears also suffered a League Cup final defeat to Brendan Rodgers’ men, while they were knocked out of the Scottish Cup back in February.
Perhaps, then, interim boss Ferguson had to keep Rangers’ Europa League run going to maintain his chances of being handed a permanent contract at Ibrox amid the 49ers Enterprises’ proposed takeover.
Ferguson is yet to steer the Bears to a win at Ibrox since taking the managerial reins, and his first opportunity to rectify that comes against Celtic in early May.
The 47-year-old will then be keen to end a tricky season on a positive note with home victories over Aberdeen and Dundee United before an away trip to Hibernian on the last day of the campaign.