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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mya Bollan

What the Rangers pundits said as Ally McCoist brands damning statistic 'unacceptable'

It was another evening to forget in the Champions League for Rangers with Napoli 3-0 victors in Italy.

It means that Gio van Bronckhorst 's side remain pointless in Group A with just one game left to play. It was a slack start to the clash for the Ibrox outfit as Giovanni Simeone netted twice within the first 16 minutes. The Argentinian was on the search for his hat-trick but the visitors managed to hold off until the 80th minute when defender Leo Ostigard headed home from a corner to round off the evening for the Serie A leaders.

It was a much improved performance for Rangers after the break but just not enough to get anything from their travels for the third time in a row at European football's top table. Here are what the pundits had to say after an unsuccessful night in Naples for Gio van Bronckhorst's side.

Kenny Miller

"I think Rangers did show more desire in the second half. You seen them pressing higher up, there was more energy, I think they were a bigger threat.

"There definitely should have been at least one goal [for Rangers].


"There was a more positive performance. You're two nil down to this team [Napoli] after 16 minutes, already it could be damage limitation.

"So in that respect, the performance definitely improved."

Ally McCoist

"You're 2-0 down after 16 minutes, both goals coming between the two centre backs. We had concerns, defensively, about the Rangers team before the match but I think you have to give Rangers a certain amount of credit second half.

"But Rangers had chances and without a doubt should have been on the scoresheet. We've already got the statistic through that they covered 4.1km more than Rangers. So, I will cut your centre backs a bit of slack and cut your goalkeeper out of the equation, that is 4.1km, roughly, between eight players.

"Their players are effectively running 500m, each, more than Rangers. That is unacceptable for me."

Neil McCann

"It was a tough watch. Napoli turned the engine down and allowed Rangers to get closer.

"Morelos' miss is a lack of concentration, and if he scores, you never know. If he scores that then you never know. If Morelos knocks that in the net then Rangers have something to dig at.

"It could have been a lot worse after the first two goals. They are an absolutely brilliant side."

Steven Thompson

"This has been a step too far for Rangers this season.

"I believe it's had the opposite effect that a Champions League run should have on a club.

"Van Bronckhorst will be desperate for this Champions League campaign to be over. He will get more criticism after tonight. For him, and for the club, it has been damaging."

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