BARRY FERGUSON watched as the Ibrox side’s season effectively ended with a 2-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao in Spain this evening.
The Govan club now have five meaningless Premiership fixtures to play before the curtain comes down on another grim and trophyless campaign.
After surviving a goalless home draw last week, they pinned all their hopes in prolonging their unexpected run in Europe as they prepared for the second leg.
But any hopes of a miraculous victory against Bilbao ended when the hosts opened the scoring in first-half stoppage-time with a penalty-kick.
ROARING SUCCESS…Nico Williams celebrates heading in Bilbao’s second goal.
John Souttar clattered into a wayward challenge and the Bosnian referee had no alternative but to point to the spot. Oihan Sancet fired the ball low past Liam Kelly at his right-hand post as the keeper took off for his left.
Last week, Alex Berenguer had missed from 12 yards when he thumped his penalty-kick off the Rangers No.1, but there was no reprieve on this occasion.
It was all over in the 80th minute as Nico Williams took advantage of James Tavernier switching off when a right-wing cross dropped into the box and he raced in at the far post to bury a header beyond Kelly.
The visitors clamoured long and loud for penalty-kicks in either half, but neither the match official nor VAT were impressed.
Now it’s back to the drawing board for the club’s hierarchy as Celtic stand on the brink of a world record ninth treble.
