Rangers’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions League were dashed by a controversial decision from referee Marco Guida. The Italian official showed a second yellow card to winger Jefte, a decision that sparked outrage from players and pundits alike. Manager Philippe Clement described it as “the worst decision I have seen in more than 30 years in football.”
The incident occurred five minutes into the second half when Jefte challenged for a high ball with Oleksandr Karavayev. Despite the sides being tied 1-1 on aggregate, the red card effectively turned the game in Dynamo Kyiv’s favor, ending Rangers’ hopes of securing the much-needed Champions League millions for the second season in a row.
Clement, frustrated with the decision, expressed his disappointment in an interview with BBC Scotland. He argued that the challenge was not a foul, stating, “He jumps higher and that’s everything that happens. He is not moving his arm towards the man or whatever. It is a very decisive moment, and in the end, it has killed the dream of the dressing room and killed the dream of more than 50,000 fans.”
Former Rangers players working as pundits for BBC Scotland were equally critical of the referee’s decision. Billy Dodds described it as a “shocker” and questioned the referee’s competence at this level. Goalkeeping great Allan McGregor also lambasted the decision, calling it “horrific” and suggesting that the referee should not officiate in the Champions League again this season.
The red card not only cost Rangers the tie but also the opportunity to face RB Salzburg in the play-off round, potentially earning them upwards of £30 million. Clement highlighted the financial implications, stating that it would make a difference in terms of the club’s signings. Despite the setback, he praised his players for their performance and resilience.
However, former midfielder Derek Ferguson argued that Rangers missed an opportunity to secure a victory against Dynamo Kyiv. Despite early pressure, Rangers struggled to trouble Dynamo’s goalkeeper and lacked goals from players other than James Tavernier and Cyriel Dessers. McGregor echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for other players to contribute more goals.
With their Champions League dreams shattered, Rangers will now focus on domestic competitions and the Europa League. As Celtic prepares for their first taste of the new Champions League format, Rangers will have to regroup and make improvements to compete at the highest level.