Rangers crashed out of the Europa League on Thursday night with a 1-0 home defeat to Benfica at Ibrox, but there were calls for a penalty just before the hour mark with the scoreline reading 0-0.
After an enthralling 2-2 draw in Portugal, Rangers were tasked with securing a victory over the likes of Angel Di Maria, Florentino and Nicolas Otamendi last night. Rafa Silva scored the only goal of the game.
Rangers were well within the game and had plenty of chances throughout, though. Jack Butland made a number of top saves following the disappointment of missing out on England’s squad for March.
But on 53 minutes, James Tavernier swung a cross into the Benfica box – and the ball bounced off the knee of Benfica defender Antonio Silva, narrowly going wide of the post. Cyriel Dessers wanted more.
He immediately marched to the referee, complaining that Silva was pulling his shirt and trying to get a hold of the Rangers striker. During commentary on TNT, McCoist gave his verdict on the incident.
“It’s six and two threes between Dessers and the defender, but it’s certainly enough to concern the defender,” McCoist said, as he watched his beloved Rangers suffer a 1-0 loss and exit the competition.
Ally McCoist on whether Rangers should have had penalty
There is no doubt that Silva had a hold of Dessers and prevented the Rangers no.9 from making a run towards the ball. Silva, in the process, almost scoring an own goal – with the ball going out for a corner.
But, as McCoist says, it was a bit of both – with Dessers giving as good as he got. Now, Rangers will have to forget the disappointment of defeat and focus on a title race with Celtic in the coming weeks.
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