Jack Butland has just saved Rangers from ‘big’ embarrassment – McAvennie
Jack Butland saved Rangers from a big embarrassment against PSV Eindhoven.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie said boss Michael Beale wasn’t prepared for the ability of PSV in their Champions League play-off.
Despite holding the Dutch giants to a 2-2 draw at Ibrox (23 August), the Gers were beaten 5-1 in the second leg of the crucial European fixture.
Although James Tavernier managed to grab a goal back at 2-0, goals from Luuk de Jong and Joey Veerman as well as an own goal from Connor Goldson forced the Gers out of the Champions League.
Beale’s side dropped down into the Europa League group stages where they will face Real Betis, Sparta Praha and Aris Limassol.
McAvennie knew after the first leg that the Gers would struggle in Eindhoven.
“I watched both games and you could tell in the first game that PSV were head and shoulders above Rangers,” he told Football Insider.
“That is not me having a go at Rangers, PSV are just a good team. The Dutch teams seem to keep finding these wonderful talents and I do not know how they keep churning them out.
“They did alright at Ibrox but it was a big crowd. They went to Eindhoven last year and beat them but it was a different team this year.
“I do not think Beale saw it coming. Butland made some great saves because it could have been a lot worse.“
In other news, defender set to stay at Rangers after English club offers rejected.