Rangers’ Europa League dreams were ended by Athletic Club as they reached the semi-finals to maintain their hopes of winning the tournament in their own stadium.
Rangers went to Bilbao with belief after Liam Kelly’s crucial penalty save at Ibrox, but Cyriel Dessers was left with a ripped shirt but no spot-kick after being hauled down by Daniel Vivan early on in the San Memes.
John Souttar handed the LaLiga side the advantage when he conceded a penalty just before half-time. Oihan Sancet sent Kelly the wrong way as the home fans erupted.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Kris Boyd reacts to Rangers being denied a penalty in their Europa League clash with Athletic Club when Cyriel Dessers was taken down in the box by Dani Vivian and left with a ripped shirt
Rangers lost Ridvan Yilmaz, Ianis Hagi and Leon Balogun to injury before Nico Raskin saw his effort crash off the post as Barry Ferguson’s side fought for an equaliser.
But Nico Williams, a target for Arsenal, wrapped up the win with a brilliant back-post header after a lapse in concentration from Gers captain James Tavernier.
Ernesto Valverde’s side will play either Man Utd or Lyon in the semi-finals, while Rangers’ exit leaves them with nothing left to play for this season.
European adventure over again
Rangers are out of the Europa League
The need for a solid start for Rangers was obvious.
The Light Blues had conceded the first two goals in seven of their last 10 games – six in nine under Ferguson who was installed as boss until the end of the season when Philippe Clement departed in February
After a bright opening few minutes Athletic flexed.
Yilmaz, playing right wing-back, had to block a close-range shot from midfielder Sancet in the eighth minute before keeper Liam Kelly made a great save from Williams with another Sancet shot blocked, this time by Tavernier.
Injured Yilmaz then had to be replaced by midfielder Connor Barron and Ferguson reshuffled, Tavernier going to wing-back and Jefte moving into the back three with Mohamed Diomande at left wing-back.
Should Cyriel Dessers have been awarded a first-half penalty?
It was all about defending for Rangers and it was desperate at times, with Balogun booked by referee Irfan Peljto for a foul on striker Maroan Sannadi, the official earlier ignoring Gers striker Cyriel Dessers’ claim for a penalty when Yeray Alvarez pulled at his shirt.
In the 36th minute Athletic attacker Alex Berenguer came close with a curling shot from 20 yards before Williams missed a sitter from eight yards after a cut-back from Sannadi.
Sancet then lofted a shot high over the bar with only Kelly to beat, and the Govan side escaped again – only for Souttar to concede penalty for a challenge on Sannadi and Sancet sent Kelly the wrong way.
Athletic Club’s Oihan Sancet celebrates after scoring the opening goal with a penalty kick during the Europa League quarter final second leg
Centre-back Clinton Nsiala replaced Ianis Hagi and Jefte moved back to left wing-back with Diomande returning to midfield and within seconds of the restart Balogun went down inside the Rangers box after clashing heads with Souttar and had to be replaced by striker Hamza Igamane.
The visitors went to a back four, adding to the sense of disruption.
However, after 58 minutes Raskin struck the post from around eight yards as the home defence was breached and the game became stretched.
Athletic Club’s Nico Williams celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal against Rangers
The tension increased as the second half continued and a delicious chip from Ibrox winger Vaclav Cerny almost found Dessers at the back post, while at the other end, Berenguer’s shot was deflected for a corner which was defended with determination.
However, moments later Williams got in behind Tavernier and headed an inviting cross from Oscar de Marcos high past Kelly to send Rangers out of the competition.
Ferguson: ‘There’s pride to play for’
Barry Ferguson is in charge at Rangers until the end of the season
Rangers head coach Barry Ferguson on TNT Sports:
“I feel the hurt, I’m disappointed.
“The work-rate has always been there since I came in, just a wee bit of quality at times we didn’t produce which they’re [the players] are disappointed in as well.
“Overall, tough to go out at the quarter-finals and we just need to go away and reflect and make sure we come try and finish off the season as positively as we can.
“We’ve got to do better with the ball. We were a bit sloppy at times but I’ll never criticise the guys’ effort.
“We need to lick our wounds, it’s sore, it’s tough to take but when you’re at a club like Rangers you have to move on quickly. There’s a bit of pride to play for now.”
On Dessers’ penalty claim, he added: “I thought at the time it was a penalty. I’ve watched it three or four times and it’s a penalty.
“It’s clear as day it’s a penalty kick.
“[If it’s awarded] we get a penalty and a red card which changes the dynamic of the game so we’re disappointed in the decision and the refereeing.”
Boyd: The better team won
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports’ Kris Boyd reacts to Rangers’ defeat to Athletic Club in the Europa League, ending their hopes of winning the tournament.
Kris Boyd on Sky Sports News:
“To get this far in the tournament was a fantastic achievement.
“They needed everything to go their way and they had a clear pen in the first half – there will be serious questions asked why this was not given – but after that, Athletic Club showed why they are favourites for the tournament.
“Rangers asked questions in the second half, but the penalty they gave away on the stroke of half-time killed the game.
“It was difficult after that, they asked some questions, Raskin hit the post but the second goal finished it.
“And they lost to the better team over two legs.”