Danny Röhl didn’t mince his words when dissecting the goal that cost Rangers a crucial victory against Braga.
But for all of the positive strides his team made, the head coach admitted the equaliser Rangers conceded was unacceptable - the kind of lapse that defines European failure.
On-loan Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nasser Djiga flicked a head across his own goal under minimal pressure to allow Braga’s Spanish forward Gabri Martínez to level the match despite being down to ten men after Rodrigo Zalazar’s earlier dismissal.
“This goal looks very cheap - I’m not looking for excuses,” Röhl said bluntly.
Braga’s leveller came from a simple throw-in, a breakdown in basic positioning and concentration that allowed the Portuguese side to pounce.
If the first hour showcased stride forward, the goal Rangers conceded was a brutal reminder of their lingering frailties.
Röhl emphasised that such moments are fatal at this level.
He said: “Europe is unforgiving and every mistake has a consequence.”
The coach’s assessment cuts to the core of Rangers’ current challenge.
The team can look organised, energetic and tactically coherent for long stretches, but moments of overthinking and hesitation undermine the collective effort.
Röhl zeroed in on this psychological element.
“If you think too much, you’re not 100% convinced to go in the duel,” he warned.
In Europe, indecision is punished instantly - and Rangers paid that price.
One player caught in the spotlight was Emmanuel Fernández, the young defender thrust into the starting lineup due to injuries and performed well, especially in comparison to his central defensive partner Djiga.
Röhl defended him, stressing that games like this are essential for his development.
“He will grow in these games,” Röhl insisted.
He compared Fernández’s path to young defenders he worked with earlier in his career - Ibrahima Konaté and Dayot Upamecano - players who made mistakes early on but later became elite-level performers.
The message was clear: the goal was unacceptable, but the solution isn’t to criticise young players - it’s to help them gain the confidence and conviction required to play for Rangers in Europe.