Rangers were on the end of another thumping in Europe last night, losing 3-0 to Napoli in Italy to ship their fifth consecutive defeat in their Champions League group.
The Ibrox club have been completely outplayed in this year's competition. Not only have they scored only once in those fixtures, but they have also conceded a massive 19 goals along the way.
Despite this, they technically still have a chance to finish third in the group and secure a place in the Europa League. It would require a big result against Ajax, bettering the 4-0 scoreline the Dutch side managed in Amsterdam last month.
Ally McCoist admits being a 'hypocrite' when it comes to Rangers
While that result looks incredibly unlikely, Ally McCoist is holding on to some hope that his former club could still be in European competition after the turn of the year.
Of course, the rule that allows Champions League clubs to drop down into the Europa League isn't necessarily a popular one. It rewards big clubs who have failed to make the grade in the top competition, with Barcelona, Juventus, and Atletico Madrid among those to drop down a tier this season.
In fact, McCoist slammed that particular law on talkSPORT this morning.
🙄 “We are talking about Atletico, Juventus & Barcelona being out of the #UCL.”
😡 “The 3 of them drop into the #UEL and that’s a scandal. They should be out!”
🤬 “It’s absolutely rubbish!"
Ally McCoist says teams knocked out of the UCL should be out of Europe all together 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pTxTeHWLcs— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 27, 2022
Atletico Madrid, Juventus, and Barcelona are out of the competition and all three are of them have dropped into the Europa League. That is a scandal.
They should be out of the tournament and out of Europe. It's just money making protection for big clubs.
It's rubbish, it's absolutely a rubbish rule.
However, it didn't take him long to change his tune.
When the prospect of Rangers finishing third in their group and going into the Europa League was raised, he seemed all the more open to the rule.
Co-host Alan Brazil was quick to call out the hypocrisy of this comment, which McCoist quickly admitted to.
😏 McCoist: “#RangersFC still have a chance of qualifying for Europa League!”
😡 Brazil: “Oh hold on, let’s rewind!!!”
😂 McCoist: “How long have you known me? I’m a hypocrite! You should know.”
Ally McCoist suddenly doesn’t mind teams dropping down into the #UEL 👀 pic.twitter.com/5PEzCJYHD9— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) October 27, 2022
McCoist: We still have the chance to qualify for the Europa League. [Celtic are] out of Europe, we lasted a week longer.
Brazil: Hold on, let me remind you of 17 minutes ago when you said 'what a joke, Barcelona and Juventus out of the Champions League, they shouldn't be allowed in the Europa League'. They're not allowed but Rangers are, how does that work?
McCoist: I'll take it. How long have you worked with me? You know I'm a hypocrite. You should know by now!
Brilliant. At least he was honest.
As much as the prospect of the Europa League may appeal to McCoist, you'd imagine that Ajax will ensure that we won't be seeing the Scottish side take place in the competition this season.
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