Chris Sutton reacts instantly as Rangers lose to Athletic Bilbao
Chris Sutton issued a seven-word reaction as Rangers suffered defeat to Athletic Bilbao in the UEFA Europa League.
With the first leg ending 0-0, there was everything to play for in the second at San Mames, but the Ibrox outfit went down fighting.
Goals from Oihan Sanchet and Nico Williams saw the Spanish side make it to the semi-finals of the Europa League with the full-time score 2-0.
Sutton jokes as Rangers crash out of Europe
Sutton, a former Celtic striker, seldom misses out on an opportunity to poke fun at Rangers.
A few minutes after full-time, he took to X to joke about Gers crashing out of Europe.
He admitted that he was sad to see them lose, but given the tone of his comments, it’s quite likely something that made him happy.
He wrote: “Sad to see Rangers go out tonight.”
Barry Ferguson now unlikely to get the job full time
Barry Ferguson securing the Rangers managerial role on a permanent basis was always going to be challenging, given his interim status and the high expectations at Ibrox.
A club legend from his playing days, Ferguson needed a standout achievement to prove his managerial credentials, and guiding Rangers to the Europa League semi-finals could have made a compelling case.
However, a 2-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in the quarter-final second leg, following a gritty but ultimately insufficient first-leg performance, ended that hope.
| Cyriel Dessers stats | 2024/25 all competitions |
| Appearances | 50 |
| Goals | 23 |
| Assists | 6 |
Bilbao’s dominance exposed Gers’ defensive frailties and Ferguson’s tactical limitations in high-stakes European ties.
Despite his passion and the return of key players like John Souttar, this defeat, coupled with the Ibrox outfit’s inconsistent season, should mark the end of his tenure.
Gers need a manager with proven pedigree to challenge Celtic and succeed in Europe, and Ferguson’s exit now seems inevitable.