Glasgow Rangers fell in the first Europa League qualifying round despite winning the first-leg at Ibrox.
Rangers fans are still trying to get their heads around the fact that their return to European competition lasted just two games as a 2-0 second-leg defeat to Progres saw them fall out of the Europa League at the first qualifying phase.
The stunning defeat not only leaves major doubts regarding the existing squad, but surely makes the deal to sell Barrie McKay all the more perplexing.
Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha
According to Sky Sports, McKay is on the verge of completing a move to Nottingham Forest after completing a medical with the Championship side.
McKay’s exit seemed inevitable this summer, with Sky Sports reporting that he was ordered by Pedro Caixinha to train with the Gers’ under-20s after refusing to sign a new contract, but it could certainly be argued that had he been in the squad for the clash with Progres, the Light Blues would stand a greater chance of being able to book a place in the second qualifying round.
McKay always had the potential to leave Rangers fans tearing their hair out, and while he probably frustrated the supporters more often than he managed to get them off their seats, it is difficult to imagine that he would not have been the kind of player who could have given them a better chance of finding that vital away goal in the latter stages of the second-leg.
The likes of Dalcio failed to make any kind of positive impact in the game in Luxembourg. And while it would be naive to suggest that McKay’s presence would have led to a different outcome, his ability to make something happen out of nothing could have proved beneficial.
And with none of the Caixinha signings proving themselves on the night, Rangers fans would be forgiven for now questioning why exactly the club are giving the sale of McKay the green light.
Barrie McKay
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