MORELOS BOWS OUT WITH A WHIMPER

It is largely for his performances on the European stage that Alfredo Morelos has attracted such interest during the last couple of years. It is a shame, then, that his final outing for Rangers on the continent should be as lacklustre.

Steven Gerrard had no option but to start the Colombian here. With Jermain Defoe injured and Kemar Roofe and Cedric Itten ineligible, Gerrard needed one last hurrah from his mercurial frontman.

Morelos never looked like producing, though. An early half chance was passed up and he rarely looked interested, never mind threatening.

The striker played such a huge part in helping Rangers reach the group stages and then progress from it. With his Ibrox exit now inevitable, he won’t add to that list of magical moments.

HELANDER A WELCOME RETURN

It would be folly to fall into the cliché trap and say that the return of Filip Helander is like a new signing for Rangers, but it is certainly a welcome development for boss Gerrard.

This was the Swede’s first outing since being forced off during the League Cup final defeat to Celtic and it has to be one that he builds on pretty quickly.

Given the limited impact he has made for his significant outlay last summer, Gerrard needs Helander to firmly establish himself at the back. Time will tell if the 27-year-old is given that opportunity.

NO SHAME IN LOSING TO LEVERKUSEN

Rangers can have no complaints about exiting at this stage of the competition, but neither should they be too hard on themselves. The achievement to reach this stage was remarkable and the positives of the campaign far outweigh the negatives.

Leverkusen are by far the most accomplished outfit that Gerrard’s side have faced in the Europa League and it is no shame in finding them too tough a task to overcome.

If they are to come up against one just as good in the coming months, Rangers will surely have embarked on another prolonged run to the latter stages.