Alan Hutton drops emphatic verdict on Jefte red in Rangers showdown
Jefte was given a controversial red card in Rangers’ 2-0 Champions League defeat to Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv on Tuesday.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, ex-Rangers defender Alan Hutton believes the referee’s decision to send the 20-year-old off was a real ‘turning point’ in the game and subsequently ruined the Scottish club’s Champions League dream.
Rangers now fall into the Europa League, a competition they’ve had relative success in over the past few seasons.
Jefte red card destroys Champions League hopes for Rangers
Jefte’s second yellow card came shortly after half-time, with the scoreline level at 0-0, but swung the game in favour of the visitors who scored two late goals to win it.
“It was such a turning point”, Hutton told Football Insider.
“I don’t think there was much in the game up until that moment just after half-time, Butland didn’t really have a save to make even though Dynamo were dangerous down the left-hand side.
“To get your second yellow card for that, I watched it and when the ball came in he’s got such a high leap, when he did go for the ball he was head and shoulders above.
“His arms were down by his side, they weren’t out, he didn’t fling out an elbow and the referee didn’t even give himself any time to react, just immediately gave the second yellow and he was off.
“From that point on it was always going to be a difficult task for Rangers.
“The game was more open, there was space for the Dynamo players and they get the two goals.
“It was a real shame for the game to end in that manner.”
In other news, Chelsea respond to Rangers’ Leo Castledine proposal.
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