While Rangers progressed into the Europa League semi-finals, the night could’ve been a lot more straightforward if the referee allowed this goal to stand.
Rangers required extra time to finally see off the nine men of Braga, with Kemar Roofe’s goal seeing them through and setting up an exciting tie against RB Leipzig – something the Gers may relish given how successful their last trip to Germany was against Borussia Dortmund.
Can Rangers win the Europa League?
Yes!
No!
However, Rangers may not have needed extra time had the referee given a goal that Aaron Ramsey appeared to score fairly, although the man in the middle didn’t see it that way, handing Braga a free kick for a foul the Welshman apparently committed.
When looking at the footage, it’s clear to see that Ramsey does nothing, instead, it’s Braga’s keeper who dips his head towards Ramsey’s shin and ends up carrying the ball over the line when trying to prevent the goal, before going down holding his face as if Ramsey had punched him in the face, and the referee fell for it.
TIF Thoughts on Ramsey’s foul…
Given the scenes inside Ibrox last night, which were ones of sheer delight and euphoria, many Rangers fans won’t care very much that this goal didn’t end up standing because they ultimately went through, but supporters will be hoping the next referee they have appointed doesn’t fall for this sort of play-acting.
It would have been a huge moment for Ramsey, who spoke pre-match about how he joined Rangers for big nights like the one against Braga in the Europa League, and was actually handed his first minutes in the competition at Ibrox since joining in January, so he may feel a bit down on a personal level given he should’ve had a goal, but will likely be too happy to care after seeing his side progress.
In other news: Rangers ace may have just dropped big hint live on Sky Sports pre-Braga – opinion