Rangers Fall to Dynamo Kyiv, Drop to Europa League

Rangers faced elimination from the Champions League after Dynamo Kyiv scored twice in quick succession at Hampden Park, following the dismissal of home winger Jefte. Oleksandr Pikhalyonok and Nazar Voloshyn delivered clinical goals in the final minutes, causing Rangers to drop into the Europa League for the second consecutive season. Dynamo Kyiv will advance to the Champions League play-off round for the second time in three years, where they will face Salzburg.

The tie, level after the first leg in Lublin, shifted decisively when Jefte received a second yellow card five minutes after halftime for a challenge on Oleksandr Karavayev. Rangers, initially strong, lost momentum after the red card. Despite some early pressure and chances including headers from Cyriel Dessers and a low strike from Ross McCausland, Rangers struggled to break down Kyiv’s defense.

Rangers manager Philippe Clement replaced McCausland with Vaclav Cerny at halftime but this decision came too late as the team played with only ten men. The dismissal of Jefte and the subsequent goals from Kyiv’s midfielders highlighted the lack of depth on the flanks which Jefte’s presence could have addressed. The temporary home at Hampden Park saw a disappointing turnout.

The absence of key players including Ridvan Yilmaz, who left on a stretcher late in the game, further worsened Rangers’ situation. Kyiv’s head coach Oleksandr Shovkovskyi praised his team’s resilience and execution of their game plan despite facing significant pressure. Clement expressed frustration over the loss, stressing the financial impact of dropping to the Europa League and the challenge of rebuilding the squad.

He lamented how one decision influenced the outcome and committed to focusing on domestic and Europa League campaigns.