'Criminal' to concede lead just before half-time says former Rangers forward
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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Hide AdLovenkrands, 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.