It has been a long time since Ibrox saw Champions League football, but this evening was not the return Rangers would have been hoping for.
Napoli defeated Gio van Bronckhorst 's side by three clear goals to make it a third heavy loses on the bounce for the men in Light Blue. The scoreline means that Rangers have conceded 11 goals in their last three matches, failing to score any themselves.
The Serie A side arrived in Govan full of confidence, boasting a perfect start to the season both domestically and in Europe after a 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool in Naples last week. But with a change in the squad and a point to prove, Rangers were looking to put a stop to the Italian outfit's run. Things seemed to be going to plan in the first half, with chances for both sides. But the tables turned when Rangers were reduced to 10 men following a second yellow for Sands, with a penalty to rub salt in the wounds. McGregor was able to keep two attempts from the spot out the net but three goals followed as Rangers' performance dipped.
It wasn't the 'bounce back' Van Bronckhorst was after, but could spark something from the players as they look towards domestic duties on Saturday and that tricky double header again Liverpool next month? Here is what the pundits think...
Kenny Miller
"Way, way better than last week. Well in the game. With half an hour left we could easily have went on to win.
"The sending off had a major impact on the result. The penalty decisions.
"When you play at this level against a team of this quality, it is hard enough with 11 men. You are down to 10 so they're going to just pick their moments and pick you apart.
"It is a harsh result on Rangers, but there are positives to take.
"Result aside and performance aside they'll look to go forward now. Saturday's game is massive now. Morelos back is a positive, McGregor was a positive, Kent too. Jack and Davis in the middle of the park as well. There are a lot of positives for Rangers."
Alan Hutton
"The basics were done much better and I think that's why they improved. There was definitely a desire there, a hunger to go out and do well.
"Minimum requirement is 110 per cent. That's what the crowd demand. That's what everybody demands, and we seen that tonight.
"But ultimately, it is still another 3-0 defeat which is 11 goals in three games. That isn't good enough.
Kevin Thomson
“They are a team that has come under criticism, but they have shown personality tonight. The likes of Ryan Jack, who made a mistake in Ajax. They have bounced back and that is what being a Rangers player is all about.”
Neil McCann
“It’s a sore result, 3-0. But being down to 10 men it’s not a disgrace. I think this side (Napoli) are top class. Napoli don't need possession to hurt teams.
"They're interested in getting into dangerous areas as quickly as possible. The transition - that's where they separate themselves from Ajax in terms of quality. They tore Liverpool apart, and they did the same tonight to a 10 men Rangers.”
Steven Thompson
"When you’ve been defeated for three games in a row so heavily you have got to try and find some positives from the game. I think Giovanni van Bronckhorst can find some positives from the game to move forward into Dundee United."
"There were positive in terms of attacking intent, and Allan McGregor looked very assured. Morelos got 60-70 minutes under his belt."
"For 45 minutes Rangers went toe-to-toe with Napoli, but in the end their quality shone through. They just had stars that lit up Ibrox at times. "
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