GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST hopes a 'cheap' penalty won't cost Rangers dear in the Champions League after a shock defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise.
The Light Blues have it all to do at Ibrox next Tuesday night as they attempt to turn around a 2-0 first leg deficit and set up a tie with Monaco or PSV at the play-off stage.
A first half strike from Teddy Teamu had USG in control of the fixture as Van Bronckhorst's side failed to fire at Den Dreef and produced an abject first half showing.
Their fortunes wouldn't improve after the break and a controversial spot kick-off from Dante Vanzeir has given them a mountain to climb in the third qualifying round clash.
Defender Connor Goldson was harshly penalised and booked when a shot ricocheted off Ben Davies and onto his arm from close range.
A lengthy VAR check saw referee Irfan Peljto stun Rangers with a bizarre call and Van Bronckhorst was bemused at the defining moment on the night.
Van Bronckhorst said: "During the game, it went so fast that I missed it. But I saw the referee waiting and knew something had happened.
"When it went straight to VAR I knew it had to be a penalty decision, yes or no. When the referee goes to the screen then VAR thinks it’s a penalty.
"But I don’t know what the rules are. It looks like a really cheap penalty to me.
"I don’t know what we could have done. We try to block the shot, the ball rolls away from goal and hits Connor off the leg of Ben from maybe half a yard.
"I don’t know. I don’t know what the rules are but it’s cost us the second goal.
"But that’s not in my influence. I cannot affect the decision of VAR. It’s a big tournament with a lot at stake for a lot of clubs.
"You would expect they take the right decisions but I am more concerned with the performance we had as a team. That’s my focus.
"What we have to do now is go 90 minutes and try and turn it around next week."
