If RangersIt was thought that just being qualified for the Champions LeagueThese had taken them to safety. They have been able to relax and soak up the famous anthem.
Rangers are unable to fail on any stage. European hiding places do not exist within a bubble.
Van Bronckhorst seemed a bit shellshocked after losing 7-1 to full-time. LiverpoolHowever, this is probably because it felt at half-time that his side were on the brink of another great night at Ibrox before it descended to a historic embarrassment.
John Lundstram had come out fighting in Tuesday’s press conference. He spoke of showing Liverpool “no respect”, “coming out the traps”, “getting up against people”, “instilling a bit of fear” and using the “aura” of Ibrox, a place where “something changes in the air.”
It flowed as if Coach Carter had written it, and you believed that. You believed him after the first half.
The Rangers then lost a 32-minute match. They conceded six goals, but showed no sign of the same spirit that had led them to many memorable nights over the last four years or the one that rallied them in the first 45 minutes.
