Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – published on Thursday, April 10, 2025 22:29 / Updated Thursday, April 10, 2025 23:05
Extremely important decision made by Istvan Kovacs in the start of the match between Rangers And Athletic Bilbao, from the round of the Europa League. Ianis Hagi started the holder and was on the field at that time.
In the 10th minute, Inaki Williams managed to penetrate the host's defense and was stopped by Fault by Robin Propper, which is in the last defender. Istvan Kovacs immediately gave a free kick for guests and yellow card for the Dutch stop.
Photo gallery. The phase at which Istvan Kovacs gave a red card in Rangers – Athletic Bilbao
The number one referee of Romania was called to the Var monitor by Cătălin Popa. After seeing the phase, Kovacs decided to eliminate Propper.
It was the 13th minute when Rangers remained in numerical inferiority in front of the Spaniards in Bilbao. Even though he was very fast without one of the central defenders, coach Barry Ferguson decided not to make any change in the minutes that followed.
Immediately, Athletic Bilbao missed two important occasions, one of them hitting the bar, at the shot sent by Inaki Williams.
Former glories of the club in Glasgow reacted to Kovacs' decision, according to bBC.com.
Ally Mccoist, the former Rangers striker: “It is a harsh elimination. He tried to take the ball, but he did not have the necessary technique. It is a big, big decision.”
Steven Naismith, a former striker in Rangers: “At first I thought it was a harsh elimination, but Propper let the ball go through it and it is a bad slip. I think it is red.”
Steven Thompson, former striker in Rangers: “I agree that it is a hard entrance, you do not think it is red, but it is the last defender. It is an unsuccessful slip”
Rangers – Athletic Bilbao, Start teams:
Rangers: Kelly – D. Sterling, Propper, Balogun – Tavernier, B. Rice, Raskin, Yilmaz – Cenry, Dessers, Ianis Hagi
reserves: Bajrami, Barron, Butland, Curtis, Danilo Pereira, Igamane, Jefte, McCausland, McGuire, Nsiala
Coach: Barry Ferguson
Athletic Bilbao: Agirrezabala – de Marcos, Vivian, Alvarez, Lekue – Ruiz, Jauregizar – I. Williams, Sancet, N. Williams – Sannadi
reserves: Berenger, Boiro, Canales, Djalo, U. Gomez, Gorosabel, Guruzeta, Nunez, Paredes, Prados, Simon, Vesga
Coach: Ernesto Valverde
