The Ibrox boss is adamant that both Cyriel Dessers and Nico Raskin deserved spot kicks and Bilbao should have been down to ten
Raging Barry Ferguson insists his side were denied TWO penalties as their Europa League dreams were crushed in Bilbao.
Rangers found themselves dominated as Oihan Sancet’s spot-kick and a late Nico Williams goal nudged the Basque outfit a step closer to reaching the final at their San Memes home next month.
But Ferguson was left puzzled after seeing Bosnian ref Irfan Peljto wave away two Gers appeals.
Cyriel Dessers couldn’t believe it when he did not get a first half award after having his jersey ripped open by defender Yeray Alvarez – while Nico Raskin claimed for a second-half handball after seeing a deflected shot smack the woodwork.
Fergie blasted: “We should have had two penalties. The first one changes the dynamic of the game.
“It’s a clean pull on Cyriel and a clear red card. If they go down to ten men that changes the full game and it baffles me at times some of the decisions.
“Then the second one, in the second-half with Nico, when the defender’s hand is out and the ball strikes it. That’s another penalty.
“The fourth official wasn’t willing to speak to me and I wasn’t going to get a booking myself. Then Cyriel comes off to change his strip and gets a yellow card when he throws it.
“Look, I’m not going to tip-toe around it, everybody in this room and everybody who watched it knows it was a penalty kick and a red card.
“So it’s do disappointing that the referee hasn’t made the right decision. But the second one is clear as day as well.
“Before Nico strikes it, it clearly hits the player’s hand. It’s frustrating we didn’t get both penalties.”
A confused Dessers added: “I have no explanation for that. After it, the ref was kind to me and showed some compassion.
“But I spoke to the defender and, of course, he admitted it was a penalty. Everyone could see what happened but we could have done more.”
Gers may feel hard done by but can have few complaints about seeing the classy La Liga outfit progress to the last four.
As for Ferguson and his team, there’s nothing left to play for heading into the final five games of the Premiership season after seeing their last remaining trophy hope dashed.
Speaking after the game, skipper James Tavernier threw his weight behind the caretaker gaffer as he backed Fergie to get the gig permanently.
But the interim manager hinted he could be set to his former ambassadorial role as the club’s prospective American owners get set to make sweeping changes at Ibrox.
He said: “I’m going to finish the season as strongly as possible for myself and the players. I’ve not sat down and spoken about it but it needs to get sorted soon because as a club we obviously need to do a lot of work.
“It’s been a good European run, but sadly it ended tonight. But domestically we need to be challenging for trophies.
“So in terms of my future going forward, I’ll wait and see what happens there.
“I just want my club to get back where it should be. That’s my main concern.
“I’ll go back to my ambassador, hopefully. If that offer’s still there.
“I was enjoying myself, but I got an opportunity that not many people get. I would have been crazy to knock it back.
“I had a lot of doubters, but I’ve got no issue with that. Everybody’s entitled to that opinion. But I know I can do the job.
I know I’ve got the right people behind me, and all I was focussed on was making sure the three months were as enjoyable as possible
“Now we’ve had a few bumps down the road, which is tough, but that happens at a club like Rangers.
“But my main objective and everybody who’s connected with Rangers is, to make sure we get the club back to a strong position and challenging every single season, because this season has been well off the standards that’s required.”
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