PSV 5-1 Rangers: Beale's side crash out of UCL after humiliating loss
By the time the end credits rolled on this calamitous sequel, Rangers had helped PSV Eindhoven attain revenge in the most brutal manner.
Last season’s box-office success in the Philips Stadium felt like a very distant memory. With a much-changed cast in blue, the plot was completely altered. Or even lost altogether.
Hope of another £20 million Champions League windfall had already vanished by the 82nd minute, when Connor Goldson rolled the ball into his own net from 18 yards after horribly misplacing a return pass to Jack Butland in a bizarre one-two. On a tough night of repeated defensive difficulties for Rangers, this was the final insult.
Goldson looked distraught. PSV winger Johan Bakayoko offered him a pat of consolation. It wouldn’t have lessened the pain.
There will be no crack at Champions League redemption at Ibrox. On this evidence, that looks a blessing. The Europa League draw on Friday will offer a more forgiving environment for Michael Beale’s revamped squad.
Somehow, they need to shake off this bitter disappointment and raise themselves to meet Celtic on Sunday. It won’t be straightforward.
This beating summoned up memories of the torment endured in last season’s Champions League group stage, when Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side finished with the competition’s worst-ever record. Again, a gulf in class became apparent.
After a five-year wait, PSV are back in Europe’s elite competition. How they revelled in the manner of this victory, taunting their visitors with chants towards the end. A richer club than Rangers they showed star quality in their line-up, most notably from brilliant two-goal midfielder Ismael Saibari. Nevertheless, this was a deeply chastening experience for Beale and his players.
When James
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