'Criminal' to concede lead just before half-time says former Rangers forward

Rangers favourite Peter Lovenkrands says Rangers conceding a 45th minute equaliser was ‘criminal’.
ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 18: Lior Refaelov of Royal Antwerp scores their sides second goal from the penalty spot past Allan McGregor of Rangers  during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Royal Antwerp FC and Rangers FC at Bosuilstadion on February 18, 2021 in Antwerpen, Belgium. Sporting stadiums around Belgium remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 18: Lior Refaelov of Royal Antwerp scores their sides second goal from the penalty spot past Allan McGregor of Rangers  during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Royal Antwerp FC and Rangers FC at Bosuilstadion on February 18, 2021 in Antwerpen, Belgium. Sporting stadiums around Belgium remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
ANTWERPEN, BELGIUM - FEBRUARY 18: Lior Refaelov of Royal Antwerp scores their sides second goal from the penalty spot past Allan McGregor of Rangers during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Royal Antwerp FC and Rangers FC at Bosuilstadion on February 18, 2021 in Antwerpen, Belgium. Sporting stadiums around Belgium remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

But things deteriorated further for the Danish star’s former side whose evening was made even more difficult in a prolonged period of injury time which saw a second enforced substitution and Kemar Roofe follow James Tavernier off the field injured and then Royal Antwerp take the lead with a penalty.

A double blunder by Borna Barisic saw the Croatian cautioned for conceding a free-kick on the wing and then fail to mark Antwerp striker Felipe Avenatti at the set piece. The forward sent a looping header over Allan McGregor to cancel out Joe Aribo’s opening goal which had given Rangers a 38th minute lead.

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Lovenkrands, speaking on BBC Sportsound said: “I just can't believe that in the 45th minute there’s a free-kick and he has a free header. It is criminal to give someone an opportunity to get back into the game just before half-time.”

After criticising the defending Lovenkrands conceded: “Having watched it back on the replay it’s a really good header - it’s not an easy one to put in, especially against Allan McGregor.”

But Rangers evening was made even more difficult when Steven Davis was penalised for a challenge on Lior Rafaelov in the box.

Pundits couldn’t agree on the call.

Lovenkrands said: “It's the smallest we kick. You can have var but you've got to have common Sense. If you think that is a penalty touching him a little bit on the back heel for me that's not a penalty.

But fellow pundit Neil McCann countered: “I have to be honest if that's a Rangers player I'm asking for a penalty. I don't think Steven Davis needs to throw his foot out there and there is connection - the argument is there is enough to pull on down but if you get contact on your Achilles than you are going down.

“But it is a brilliant penalty, dispatched beautifully and Allan McGregor is at full stretch.”

Rangers also saw captain James Tavernier limp off, replaced by centre-back Leon Balogun earlier in the game.

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