Rangers were eliminated from the Champions League after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv in the second leg of the third qualifying round on Tuesday, while Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce was also knocked out by Lille.
Rangers paid dearly for a controversial second yellow card given to defender Jefte, as Dynamo scored twice in the last 10 minutes through substitutes Oleksandr Pikhalonok and Nazar Voloshyn.
Following the match, Rangers coach Philippe Clement criticized the referee’s decision that reduced his team to 10 players.
“It’s hard for my team. They don’t deserve this after these two games versus Dynamo Kyiv. One person with one decision made a really big change for us,” Clement told BBC Scotland.
“It’s the second time in my career of over 30 years that something unjust has happened. We can only accept it and move forward towards the league and the Europa League.”
Clement, who is looking to overhaul his squad in an attempt to challenge Celtic, said the defeat would have serious ramifications for the club’s finances.
“Financially, it’s a big difference for the club. It will make a difference for the transfers coming in also. I don’t expect this rebuild to be done in a few weeks’ time.”
Clement, who is aiming to revamp his squad to compete with Celtic, noted that the defeat will have significant financial consequences for the club. “Financially, it’s a big difference for the club. It will affect the transfers coming in as well. I don’t expect this rebuild to be completed in a few weeks,” he said.
Dynamo Kyiv advanced 3-1 on aggregate and will face Salzburg in the next round after the Austrian team edged FC Twente 5-4 following a 3-3 draw in the return leg in the Netherlands.
Jonathan David’s penalty secured Lille a spot in the next round, as the French club claimed a 3-2 aggregate victory in Turkey, marking a disappointing start for Mourinho at Fenerbahce. After losing the first leg 2-1 last week, Fenerbahce seemed set to exit until Bafode Diakite’s late own goal sent the match to extra time.
Lille’s Aissa Mandi was sent off on his debut for a reckless challenge on Irfan Can Kahveci, but the visitors were awarded a penalty for a handball by Jayden Oosterwolde, which David converted. Cenk Tosun then hit the bar as Lille held on for the win. Their reward is a match against Slavia Prague, who triumphed 4-1 on aggregate over Union Saint-Gilloise.
Slovan Bratislava, having entered in the first qualifying round, defeated APOEL Nicosia 2-0 on aggregate and will face Midtjylland for a spot in the new 36-team tournament after the Danish champions beat Hungary’s Ferencvaros 3-1 on aggregate.
Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt advanced easily with a 4-1 win over Poland’s Jagiellonia Bialystok, completing a 5-1 aggregate victory.
Sweden’s Malmo triumphed in a thrilling contest with PAOK, scoring late in Greece to force extra time and then winning the second leg 4-3 for a 6-5 overall victory. Sparta Prague defeated Romania’s FCSB 4-3 on aggregate, while Qarabag shocked Ludogorets with four extra-time goals, achieving an impressive 7-2 win in Bulgaria.
Switzerland international Kwadwo Duah scored twice, putting Ludogorets 4-2 ahead in the tie, but the visitors from Azerbaijan responded with six unanswered goals to secure an 8-4 aggregate success.
