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James Tavernier admitted last night’s 1-1 draw ‘felt like a defeat’ as Rangers blew the chance to win their first Europa League match this season with a defensive horror show against 10-man Braga.
Danny Rohl’s side looked set for a precious victory in the tournament after Tavernier’s penalty in first-half stoppage time was followed by Rodrigo Zalazar’s dismissal for violent conduct on the hour mark.
However, frailties continue to haunt Rangers at the back, and Nasser Djiga’s feeble header from a cross into the box allowed Gabri Martinez to level in the 69th minute.
There was a smattering of boos at the final whistle, with skipper Tavernier confessing: ‘It feels like we lost the game because it was in our hands.
‘There was a lapse of concentration for the goal but we shouldn’t have got ourselves in that position.
‘In the final third we have to be more patient, work it better instead of just shooting when it’s not really on.
James Tavernier was left frustrated after seeing his side fail to get over the line against Braga
The captain equalled Ally McCoist's European scoring record (21) with a first-half penalty
Rangers manager Danny Rohl is still searching for his first victory in the Europa League
‘It’s a missed opportunity for us. We have to be more clinical in both boxes,’ added Tavernier, whose converted spot-kick following a handball by Fran Navarro saw him equal Ally McCoist’s total of 21 goals in Europe.
Braga’s Zalazar was sent off for motioning his head towards Nico Raskin while Rangers also finished with 10 men as Mohamed Diomande was dismissed in the closing stages for using an arm in an aerial challenge.
Adamant his team are still making progress, Rohl said: ‘I think it’s disappointing but I look at the first 60 minutes. It was the first time I felt my team has been competitive in Europe. I think it’s a step forward. But in the end we have to win and close the gaps.
‘In the second half I felt we controlled the game. And then it’s one moment, we made one mistake and conceded a goal.
'This goal looks very cheap. I’m not looking for excuses in this case. I know in the second half the wind gave a lot of problems.
‘We have to improve to play 90 minutes at our highest level.
‘You can see the table. We didn’t lose the opportunity just today. It’s about the past four games as well. I’ve been here for four weeks and for 60 minutes I see a big difference.
‘Today I really see the progress in our team performance. In European competition you cannot make many mistakes and this is something we have to work on.
The Ibrox side are facing elimination after suffering a fourth defeat in five matches
‘For me it’s not about the character of the group when I see how hard they work since I’m here, how much effort they put in. There is of course pressure, there is expectation, you have to deliver.
‘I will help them. I try always to be positive because the self-confidence of a player is such an important thing. If a player has confidence they will make the right decisions in the right moments.'
McCoist, analysing for TNT Sports, said: ‘My concern, and it’s a big concern, is I’m not sure the team is capable of a lot better than that.
‘I really hope I’m wrong. You can’t make mistakes like the goal they conceded. I’m not sure these players can take Rangers to the next level. There’s an awful lot of work to be done.’
