Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Steven Mair

Ally McCoist has one Rangers concern after Europa League triumph as pundits come to unanimous Barcelona conclusion

Rangers legend Ally McCoist soaked in the joy of the club's sensational Europa League progress – but was left concerned for star striker Alfredo Morelos' fitness.

The Colombian went down injured twice in the 2-1 defeat to Red Star Belgrade before being carted off the pitch in a buggy and had a rare off night in his favourite competition.

It didn't matter as Ryan Kent grabbed the goal that finished off the tie in a 4-2 aggregate win after Mirko Ivanic's early opener, with a consolation coming from El Fardou Ben Nabouhane's added time penalty.

Morelos was taken off for Kemar Roofe in the 80th minute but McCoist reckons manager Gio van Bronckhorst should have made the change earlier.

He told BT Sport: "You know something, I was really surprised the stayed on the park.

(SNS Group)

"It'll be interesting to see how his fitness situation is, injury-wise, you would hope from Rangers' point of view that he's okay.

"It clearly wasn't his night. He looked off it tonight and even if he's struggling a little bit I would have had Roofe on.

"The first thing Roofe did when he came on the pitch was turn him and go in behind.

"It'll be interesting to see because Morelos wasn't at it tonight."

Keeper Allan McGregor had another tremendous night as he produced a series of stops to go with his penalty save in the first leg.

And former Ibrox defender Alan Hutton was left speechless as they played back his highlight reel in the studio.

(SNS Group)

"It's defining moments. That's what he's there for and he's done it for years.

"This one, he gets down so well to get down low, it's a strong hand to get it out of the danger area. It could have easily have been palmed back in but he gets round the ball.

"He just continues in the form... I mean, look at that, it's unbelievable.

"That could have changed the game in an instant if you go 2-0 down but again a strong wrist, we've seen him do it time and time before.

"This is the one for me, his body weight is going one way and he gets down to the ball."

The pair were then pressed on who they'd take in the next round, coming to a unanimous conclusion.

McCoist said: " Barcelona. Straight away. Barcelona would be tremendous.

"Clearly you go into that tie second favourites but I think it would be another statement, another step back to where the club should be.

"Either of the 'Bs'. I'd take Braga as well, a club we've played recently and second in the group Red Star won."

Hutton added: "Yeah. Braga, Monaco as well, I think Rangers would fancy themselves.

"But the glamour tie has to be Barcelona, thinking back to when we played them in the Champions League, what a time to be involved in.

"It would be good for the fans to have that back so glamour tie for me."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.