Rangers boss Barry Ferguson insisted his team were denied a stonewall penalty after crashing out of the Europa League against Athletic Bilbao.
The Spanish side booked their place in the semi-finals thanks to Oihan Sancet’s spot-kick and a late header from the outstanding Nico Williams.
However, with the quarter-final tie still poised at 0-0 midway through the first half of the second leg, Rangers screamed for a spot-kick when Bilbao defender Daniel Vivian tangled with Cyriel Dessers.
Vivian appeared to pull the striker back after grabbing hold of his jersey, with Dessers left with a huge hole in the middle of his shirt that needed changed.
Bosnian referee Irfan Peljto saw no infringement, however, and VAR did not intervene, despite replays showing what looked to be a clear foul.
While conceding his team hadn’t done enough to trouble their opponents in general play, Ferguson was bemused as to why Rangers hadn’t been awarded a penalty.
Cyriel Dessers, with his shirt ripped, protests that he should have been awarded a penalty
Rangers boss Barry Ferguson says a penalty and a red card would have changed the game
Nico Williams celebrates with his brother after scoring the second in a 2-0 victory for Bilbao
‘I feel the hurt and disappointment of the players,’ he said. ‘The work rate has always been there since I’ve come in. We maybe just lacked a bit of quality at times.
‘At the time, I thought it was a penalty. I’ve since had a chance to watch it back and I still think it was a penalty.
‘It’s clear as day. It would have been a red card to go with it as well, so it would have changed the dynamic of the game.
‘So I am disappointed with the decision and the referee. There was also another one in the second half with Nico [Raskin]. It’s a clear penalty in my mind.
‘It’s tough to go out at the quarter-finals. We just need to make sure we go away and reflect, then come back next week and get ready to finish the season as strongly as possible.’
Asked if he had any thoughts about getting the Rangers job beyond the end of the season, interim boss Ferguson added: ‘It’s not on my mind at the moment.
‘I have played for my boyhood club, I’ve captained them, and I’ve now managed them. I’ve enjoyed it. But any discussions like that will take place at the end of the season.’
Rangers skipper James Tavernier admitted the team’s overall display hadn’t been up to the required standard against the Europa League favourites.
He said: ‘First half we were a shadow of ourselves. We let the occasion get to us.
‘We tried to address it at half-time. We knew we had 45 minutes to address it. The boys tried to give it their all, but it wasn’t enough.’
On the shouts for the Rangers penalty, Tavernier added: ‘Cyriel saw his top was ripped, it either goes for you or against you.’
The Ibrox captain switched off at the back post as Bilbao’s star man Williams bulleted in a header to secure the win for the home side 10 minutes from time.
Tavernier admitted: ‘The second goal is on me, I was organising and switched off for the cross.
‘We have to reflect on this season, it’s not been good enough. There’s going to be a lot of change, it can only get better.
‘I’ve been really happy since Barry came in, he’s steadied the ship and knows the DNA of the club. I’d love to have Barry here next season, but it’s not up to me.’
