Gary McAllister admits that Ryan Kent can't be protected after his red card against Lyon - despite admitting the winger as provoked.
The former Liverpool winger was shown a straight red card in the first half of the 2-0 win over the French giants, and had started the game on top form.
He created the first goal with an explosive run and looked like he would cause problems for Lyon at every opportunity.
His cross forced Marcelo to turn the ball into his own net and it was the same defender who snapped him in a challenge that led to Kent's red card.
And McAllister admits he was disappointed and felt the referee could have handled it better, but also couldn't argue with the sending off.
He told RangersTV: "He received the ball and the defender comes through the back of him and provoked him and there was handbags
"But it’s very hard to protect and say Ryan wasn’t at fault because as soon as you lift your hand and touch an opponent on the face it’s a red card. I thought the ref overreacted but it’s hard to defend Ryan.
"If I was a neutral sat up here watching both teams, I thought both teams looked pretty fit. You’ve got to pay credit to our guys, we go to 10, and when we go to nine, there’s a lot of changes in both sides but I think the fitness of both sides look pretty good and they served up a decent game."
Rangers finished the game with a very young defence with Nathan Patterson at right back, Ross McCrorie and Lewis Mayo in the middle and Calvin Bassey at left back.
McCrorie was the oldest of those at 22 and McAllister was thrilled with how they performed, but reserved special praise for new boy Jon McLaughlin.
The former Hearts keeper wasn't threatened much but dealt brilliantly with anything he had to and looked comfortable in possession.
McAllister added: "(We finished with) Three academy products and Calvin Bassey to the side of them who has never played a proper game like this, in a stadium like this.
"We call the penalty area when we’re under pressure the red zone and we defended the red zone brilliantly. Jon McLaughlin did very well as well."
