‘As bad as it'll get’ - Alan Hutton and Billy Dodds see long road ahead before Rangers ‘frailty’ is fixed after Ferencvaros loss in UEFA Europa League

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Poor defending cost Rangers three points at Ferencvaros on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League. Rangers took a first-half lead, but the scores were level at the end of the half, and they conceded a costly second goal in the second period. Alan Hutton and Billy Dodds were left deeply concerned by Rangers' chances of improving their defence in the coming weeks.

Highlights: Rangers’ European hopes hanging by a thread with loss to Keane’s Ferencvaros

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alan Hutton and Billy Dodds were left fearful for Rangers after a poor defensive display in their 2-1 defeat at Ferencvaros in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday.

Rangers took the lead in the 27th minute in Hungary when Bojan Miovski opened the scoring with an impressive overhead kick.

However, they were regularly opened up by the home side, and were unable to hold on because five minutes into added time at the end of the opening period, Bence Otvos levelled.

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In the second half, Emmanuel Fernandez was criticised for his defending as Barnabas Varga scored the winner, with former Rangers manager Ally McCoist baffled by the Englishman's positioning.

The defeat means that Danny Rohl’s side have almost no realistic prospect of going through to the knockout rounds in the tournament, having lost five of their six matches and drawing the other.

Rangers are nine points off the lead in the Scottish Premiership in fourth, with Hearts currently top of the table following their excellent start to the campaign.

'Don't know what to say' - Varga heads Ferencvaros into lead after disastrous Rangers defending

Video credit: TNT Sports

Speaking to TNT Sports after the final whistle, Hutton conceded that injuries had become problematic for the Scottish giants, while admitting that tactical and individual errors have caused difficulties.

He said: "Disappointing night and defeat. It's been a really difficult campaign this year, but it's clear for everybody to see that frailties at the back are really hurting.

"Individual errors, crosses into the box, set plays, it's been happening all season. They've been thinking maybe going to three at the back is going to help. It doesn't. It really doesn't

"If they want to get anywhere, it's January for reinforcements. Of course, Dujon Sterling is out, Derek Cornelius is out. It's been very difficult."

Dodds agreed and felt that the situation was no better than when Russell Martin had been in charge.

He explained: "When Ally McCoist is speechless, and he can't describe the action, you're in real trouble. Rangers' defence is as bad as I've seen, and I've seen them poor this year.

"The goal, to not stop the cross, then do a pirouette as Fernandez does. It's as bad as it'll get for Rangers tonight."

Drama as Miovski overhead kick ruled out... only to be given after VAR check

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hutton added that Rangers and Rohl would now have to focus on domestic competition, but warned that until the January transfer window, the improvement would have to come through coaching alone. He also said that any signings would take time to settle, so it was far from a guaranteed quick fix.

"Ultimately now, the full focus is on the league," he began. "You want to try and close that gap. They're effectively out of this competition.

"I just feel Dujon Sterling coming back could be a huge lift. What we've seen tonight is a real frailty at the back. Thinking about the January transfer window. Yes, they need help in that defensive unit, but it takes time to get the right targets in.

"They're going to go through a period of time when they will have to go with what they've got, and that's what worries me."

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