Rangers coach Steven Gerrard believes that fear and panic cost Rangers a spot in the Champions League this season. Rangers went into the tie with a one-goal deficit from the first leg. They were back on level terms in the first half when Alfredo Morelos scored from a Ryan Kent cross. Malmo midfielder Bonke then received his marching orders just before the halftime whistle. However, Malmo scored two quickfire goals in the second half courtesy of Antonio Colak. this was the third defeat in a row for Rangers.
“We have tried to keep the heat on after being 2-1 down,” Rangers manager Steven Gerrard said. “You have to try different things, a bit of fear and a bit of panic sets in. We started playing hopeful balls into the box instead of trying to stay calm and play through. The reality is we have lost three games out of four and that is not good enough at Rangers. We are well aware of that. We now have to pick ourselves up and regroup.”
“The most frustrating thing is we lost the second half 2-0 to 10 men. Defensively from the restart, we were poor. There is no way to dress that up. We need to be better in those situations.” he added. “We have been made to pay from the ball being out of play and two throw-in situations. Defensively we haven’t been good enough. When you play teams at this level and you don’t defend situations from restarts well then you will pay, and we have done.”
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