Breaking News:Dynamo Kyiv manager puts Rangers draw down to ‘lack of experience’
Dynamo Kyiv manager Oleksandr Shovkovskyi expressed his sheer disappointment following Rangers’ last-minute equaliser on Tuesday night.
In a match filled with tension and drama, Cyriel Dessers’ 94th-minute equaliser salvaged a crucial first-leg draw for Rangers against Dynamo Kyiv in their quest to reach the Champions League. Amidst the mounting criticisms surrounding the start of their season, Philippe Clement’s men faced a stern challenge from Andriy Yarmolenko’s first-half strike.
Rangers, who recently experienced a goalless draw against Heart of Midlothian, found themselves battling familiar issues of missed opportunities and defensive vulnerabilities. However, Dessers’ close-range finish in the dying moments of the game, played at the Lublin Arena due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, secured a potentially invaluable result in Poland.
Hampden Awaits for the Decisive Second Leg
The return leg, set for next Tuesday at Hampden Park and broadcast live on BBC Scotland, will see neither team play in their own stadium due to delayed construction work at Ibrox. The victor of this tie will advance to face either RB Salzburg or FC Twente, with the Austrians holding a slender 2-1 lead heading into their second leg in the Netherlands.
The return leg, set for next Tuesday at Hampden Park and broadcast live on BBC Scotland, will see neither team play in their own stadium due to delayed construction work at Ibrox. The victor of this tie will advance to face either RB Salzburg or FC Twente, with the Austrians holding a slender 2-1 lead heading into their second leg in the Netherlands.
Despite a challenging start to the season, only one new summer signing, Connor Barron, was featured in the Rangers’ starting lineup. This reflects the gradual squad overhaul that manager Clement has been advocating for. Uninspiring pre-season performances, combined with the draw against Hearts and the temporary move to Hampden, have caused unrest among the supporters.
Former Rangers midfielder Derek Ferguson highlighted the low morale, stating he had “never seen the fans as low”. Yet, Dessers’ late goal brought a wave of joy to the small group of travelling fans, capping off a tense evening.
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