Neil McCann has blamed Filip Helander for the first goal that Rangers conceded in Portugal tonight.
The Gers’ trip to Benfica got off to a rotten start when an own goal from Connor Goldson after just two minutes gave Steven Gerrard’s side – who had won both of their Europa League group-stage games before this – a mountain to climb.
It was a mistake from the big Swedish centre-back that allowed the hosts get the chance in the first place.
And here’s now former Rangers man McCann reacted to the gaffe on BBC Sport: “Helander gets himself in all sorts of trouble. He could have given away a penalty but then he lets him go. It’s just indecision from him that causes it.”
Despite the early setback, the Ibrox side rallied and found themselves leading 3-1 by 51 minutes, after Benfica had Nicolas Otamendi red carded in the first half.
But they pulled one back with 10 minutes to go and Helander – a £4 million signing in the summer of 2019 – didn’t cover himself in glory on that occasion either, with Rafa Silva punishing him for some pretty sloppy play inside Rangers’ own box.
Despite the late scare it looked certain that the light Blues would hold off the 10-man Benfica en route to a third-straight win in the Europa League, but Darwin Nunez snatched a shock equaliser in the dying seconds.
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