Rangers crash out of Champions League qualifiers at the hands of 10-man Malmo; Scottish champions fail to capitalise on Alfredo Morelos goal and Bonke Innocent red card as Antonio Colak double sends Steven Gerrard’s side into Europa League play-off against FC Kairat Almaty or Alashkert FC
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Rangers FC and Slavia Prague at Ibrox Stadium on March 18, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)
Rangers paid the price for another second-half capitulation as 10-man Malmo dashed their Champions League qualification hopes and relegated the Scottish champions to the Europa League with a 2-1 (4-2 on aggregate) win at Ibrox.
Rangers, trailing 2-1 from the first leg, looked well on course to progress into the Champions League play-offs when Alfredo Morelos’ header levelled the tie on 19 minutes, before Bonke Innocent’s rather harsh dismissal for two bookable offences on the stroke of half-time left the hosts with a man advantage.
But, just as they did in last week’s first leg in Sweden, a sloppy start to the second half cost Rangers dear as two clinical finishes from striker Antonio Colak turned the game and the tie on its head in the space of four minutes.
Malmo’s remarkable turnaround left the near-capacity crowd, inside Ibrox for the first time since March 2020, and Steven Gerrard’s players, shell-shocked, and there was no way back as the Swedish champions sealed a play-off tie with Ludogorets.
Rangers, who have now lost three games in a row after Saturday’s league defeat to Dundee United, face another season of Europa League football but must overcome either FC Kairat Almaty or Alashkert FC in the play-offs to avoid dropping into the inaugural Europa Conference League
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