Athletic Club Eliminates Rangers from Europa League

Rangers' Europa League run ended with a defeat to Athletic Club in Bilbao, with controversy surrounding two significant penalty decisions that went against the Scottish side. Both interim manager Barry Ferguson and striker Cyriel Dessers expressed frustration, claiming that a clear penalty was ignored early in the match when Dessers' shirt was pulled, a moment that Dessers and even the opposing defender agreed should have resulted in a penalty. Ferguson argued that the non-call, which could have also led to a red card for Bilbao, was a game-changing moment that impacted the match's dynamic. Athletic Club ultimately won 2-0, with goals from Oihan Sancet and Nico Williams, progressing to the semi-finals. Rangers captain James Tavernier accepted responsibility for the second goal and lamented the missed opportunities, while Ferguson praised his players' effort and resilience despite the disappointment. Calls for Ferguson to take the job permanently have surfaced, but he remains focused on finishing the season strongly.