Rangers suffered defeat to Rapid Vienna on Thursday night.
John Hartson has told BT Sport that Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty should have started against Rapid Vienna on Thursday night, as the Gers crashed out of the Europa League.
Rangers went into the match against Austrian side Vienna, with only a win enough to book their place in the last 32 of the competition. However, they suffered a 1-0 loss in what was a close match.
Steven Gerrard’s men came close, with Connor Goldson hitting the bar from a James Tavernier free-kick. James Tavernier, Alfredo Morelos and Lassana Coulibaly had half-chances, but could not find the back of the net.
But Vienna broke Rangers hearts with an 84th-minute winner through Dejan Ljubicic. Celtic legend Hartson said after the match that Morelos looked isolated without Lafferty, and suggested the Northern Ireland man should have started.
“Ultimately, they had one up front until the 76th minute,” Hartson said. “On a night when they needed to apply pressure, I think Morelos is better with another big one around him.
“I thought he looked very isolated at times. Through the middle, on his own. He needed a little bit of help, and they only brought Lafferty on with 12 minutes to go. They’ve only got themselves to blame.”
Gerrard has used a 4-3-3 system for the majority of the season, with Colombia international Morelos used as a talismanic striker by the Gers. He has scored 17 goals this season, but still has a problem with discipline.
Lafferty has remained his understudy since rejoining Rangers from Hearts for a fee believed to be £500,000 (Irish FA). He has scored four goals in 16 games since his summer move.
Rangers will now focus on the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup after their excellent European adventure has come to an end, starting by playing host to Hamilton on Sunday at Ibrox.
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