Steven Gerrard could not achieve his dream of helping Scottish reigning champions, Rangers to win this season’s Europe League title despite the stunning form the team has enjoyed so far this season.
Rangers met a ruthless Slavia Prague who are on a mission to cause a lot of upsets in this season’s Europa League campaign. The club from Czech Republic knocked out Premier League side, Leicester City in the round of 32 and it was almost looking like their journey would end in the round of 16.
Recall that when Rangers visited Prague in Czech Republic to play the first leg of the round of 16, Steven Gerrard helped the Scottish side to secure a 1-1 draw away from home which should have been something to build on.
Hence, all Rangers were expected to do in the second leg which was played at their home ground (Ibrox Stadium) was to either play a goalless draw or beat their visitors.
However, Steven Gerrard and his team conceded an early goal courtesy of Peter Olayinka’s 14th-minute header. Afterward, both sides failed to score until Rangers lost two of their players – Kemar Roofe and Leon Balogun who were red-carded for harsh tackles.
Less than a minute after Balogun was sent out of the game in the 73rd minute, Slavia Prague scored their second goal through Nicolae Stanciu’s free-kick. Steven Gerrard and Rangers ended their Europa League dream 1-3 on aggregate.
After their exit from the Europa League, Rangers are left with domestic football. The fans of the club are still in festive mood after Steven Gerrard led Rangers to end their 10 years wait for a Scottish Premiership title.
Steven Gerrard says his player Glen Kamara was racially abused
As Rangers are licking their wounds after their defeat at the hands of Slavia Prague, the club’s coach, Gerrard, is stressing that his player Glen Kamara was racially abused during the game.
He alleged that Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela was the one that racially abused his player and urged UEFA to intervene. He also insisted that players around Glen Kamara at the time of the incident were witnesses to Kudela’s racial attack on Kamara.
“Glen Kamara to me is one of my own. I 100 percent believe what he is saying in terms of the accusation”, Steven Gerrard said.
“Other players around him heard it so I will stand toe-to-toe with Glen Kamara and I’ll deal with this however Glen wants to deal with it.
“I am proud of all my players, tonight showing solidarity and from the top of this club to the bottom we stand with the players. This situation is over to UEFA now. I just hope it doesn’t get brushed under the carpet.
“I feel angry. It’s extremely disappointing. There is too much of it happening around football. Something needs to happen quickly. That is above me.
“UEFA will take this upon them I’m sure they will speak to both players and we will let other people deal with it. All I can confirm is that my player tells me he was racially abused.”
Rangers manager Steven Gerrard spoke to the press after tonight’s match at Ibrox – click below to read the press conference in full.
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 19, 2021
Meanwhile, reports that went viral after the game alleged that Slavia Prague defender Ondrej Kudela was attacked in the tunnel by members of Rangers team for racially abusing Glen Kamara.
It was reported that the Scottish police helped to secure Kudela and his teammates out of the stadium and the attack on Kudela has been reported to the Czech Republic ambassador to the United Kingdom.
