Last update on. From the section Champions LeagueManager Steven Gerrard says that Rangers were crushed by fear and panic after they lost to Malmo (10-man) at an Ibrox full.The third qualifying round tie was leveled by the Scottish champions with Alfredo Morelos’s goal. They looked solid when Malmo’s Bonke Innocent was sent to half-time.However, Antonio Colak scored twice in the second period, just four minutes before the end. Rangers were unable, despite having dominance of the ball and creating plenty of chances, to respond.A Europa League play-off will be held against Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty and Alashkert from Armenia next week. Rangers, the second Scottish team to be eliminated, was after Celtic's defeat in Midtjylland.Alarmingly, Gerrard is now facing his third consecutive defeat by Rangers. This is the first time this has happened since May 2015.Premier Sports was told by the manager that while we did well for 45 minutes, there were two bad restarts and they paid for it."The worst part is that we lost the second half of the game to 10 men. Fear and panic can set in when you are 1-0 up and then fall 2-1 behind. The second-half performance is a disaster and it's on us all."We have lost three of the four games and that is not enough for Rangers."A good start can quickly turn into a terrible endingGerrard had rallied fans to make sure that their Champions League hopes would be kept alive by a loud reception.With the stadium's first sold-out since March 2020, the support responded. Ibrox supporters longed for an early goal as the stands rocked.Joe Aribo had two chances in the frenzy, a shot that was deflected wide before he could connect with Borna Barisic's dangerous ball.Ryan Kent got the ball on his right foot, but the ground was shaking. He sent a cross to Morelos at the back post.Morelos had been looking at the pace in Saturday’s Scottish Premiership defeat to Dundee United. But he turned the tables on the visiting defense as he threatened a second but couldn't complete the score.After 35 minutes of Malmo hanging on for dear life, the team began to move forward.Allan McGregor was given a yellow card for handling outside the box. Colak moved from close range, and Veljko Burmancevic fired straight at McGregor.Malmo was reduced to 10 men after a momentary controversy at the half-way mark. Connor Goldson and Innocent, a Nigerian midfielder, tried to get the ball with their high feet. However, Goldson fell to his death, prompting the referee to give Malmo a second yellow card.Rangers could have scored a second goal to make it into the play-off round. However, Morelos won the match right after the restart.Gerrard's side collapsed in four minutes, just like they did last week in Sweden.Birmancevic was able to play a charming ball into Colak's path, and he angled it for the first time beyond McGregor. Colak then touched a throw in beyond Leon Balogun, before firing at the near post.Rangers lost two goals in Sweden's second-half. It was 2 in 4.It took a huge response and Scott Arfield as well as Goldson were both close to the goal from within the box. Morelos saved a goalbound shot before the Colombian had to push away a header.Kent also put the goalkeeper to the test, while substitute Fashion Sakala was twice on the line. However, despite all the pressure, the home team couldn't find a way through.Antonio Colak is the Man of the MatchColak was a great leader and scored two excellent goals to win the tie.What have we learned?Although it is too soon to make headlines about the crisis, Rangers' three consecutive defeats have cost them a place in Europe's elite. It also ended their 40-game streak of unbeaten Scottish Premiership games.Gerrard's team had a solid defence last season and conceded only 13 goals in league play. Manager Gerrard will be worried about being broken into five times in the last three games.The possibility of playing in Armenia or Kazakhstan just three days prior to the first Old Firm match will be exciting.What's next?Rangers will host Dunfermline Athletic Friday, in Round 2 of the League Cup (19:30 BST).
