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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Kris Boyd in blunt Rangers 'absolutely demolished' verdict

Kris Boyd insists there can be no more Rangers excuses when it comes to playing Celtic on Sunday.

The former Ibrox striker watched on as his old side were thumped 5-1 against PSV last night.

Michael Beale's side crashed out of Champions League qualifying as a result, with their future now in the Europa League.

A second half collapse by Rangers saw the Dutch outfit romp home to UCL group stage football.

And ex-Scotland striker Boyd believes Rangers were lucky to have only conceded five goals.

He told Sky Sports: "The excuses will come out about the finances and everything. It was the exact same as last year so you can't use that.

"Rangers went there optimistic of getting a result after coming away with a 2-2 draw last week, although they didn't play that well. But I must say, the gulf in class was there for everyone to see. Rangers got back into at 2-1 on the night but was against the run of play.

"PSV Eindhoven, the players they had, there was an arrogance about them after the first game, they thought the tie was already done.

"They showed why they went back home with that spring in their step, that arrogance and confidence because they've absolutely demolished Rangers tonight, demolished them.

"You can make all the excuses you want. Rangers went there and won last season, the budgets were the exact same. It's not to be for Rangers.

"People will come out and say the Champions League is a step above, you saw that last season in terms of when you're there, but it's not to say Rangers can't go in there and compete at that level and then drop down to the Europa League.

"But they were totally and utterly annihilated in the Netherlands tonight and it will be the Europa League.

"If it wasn't for Jack Butland it could quite easily have been eight on the night. He had two or three fantastic saves, in big moments as well. But the big games at big clubs come thick and fast.

"There's the disappointment of tonight, but you've got an opportunity and there can't be any hiding places on Sunday."

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