There's a world of difference between a savage beating and an unspeakably cruel one. Unfortunately for Rangers, they’ve now experienced it all inside a fortnight.
After the spineless capitulations that brought their manager to a point of crisis, last night they produced a performance of heroic proportions – only to end up bloodied and bruised all over again. Where they had been pitiful against Celtic and Ajax, here they were at their most powerful.
Where they had lacked stomach for the fight, this time they were ravenous. And even when reduced to 10 men against the giants of Napoli, they mustered up something bordering on the astonishing as returning keeper Allan McGregor stopped two penalties before finally being beaten by a third in quick succession. Two late goals rubbed salt into the wounds, adding to the stinging sense of injustice. Of course, it won’t matter much in terms of this group campaign. With no points from a possible six, Rangers are already in need of snookers.
