It was clear why Martin was sad. In Plzen, Rangers accepted 27 shots, 21 of them coming from inside their penalty region.
As a result, the Czech side ended with the expected goal rating of 3.31, butt. Butland made eight savings, one of which really deprives Adu to the world class class.
Given the impressive first-leg performance of the Rangers, a comfortable 3–0 overall overall a poor performance can be forgiven given the final result.
But at the beginning of the season, it has been a pattern. Rangers have accepted 97 shots in their six matches so far, an average 16 per game.
If Plzen, PanithinaiKos, Materwell, or even the sticks were more clinical, it could easily be a different story in this newborn campaign.
Former Rangers midfielder Ian McCal said on Sportsound, “Plzen had four 100% opportunities and one of them was taken – and they all came from the mistakes of the Rangers.”
“They were inferior and shabby, but the game is being named in the next round.
“There is a lot of money at stake, and they will have a chance. But they will need to protect much better in terms of not giving the ball away in dangerous areas.”
