Rangers have crashed out of the Champions League at the third qualifying round after a 2-0 defeat to Dynamo Kyiv at Hampden. Second half goals from Oleksandr Pikhalonok and Nazar Voloshyn were enough for the Ukrainians to set up a play-off tie with RB Salzburg.

Rangers had progression in their sights after snatching a dramatic draw in the first leg last week. But Philippe Clement’s side were unable to capitalise on that momentum and a controversial decision to send Jefte off early in the second half took the game away from Rangers.

This was a damaging night on and off the park for the Ibrox board. The Rangers Review picks out the key talking points from a costly Hampden defeat.

Read more: Check all the Rangers transfer news & rumours throughout the transfer window

Rangers undone by Dynamo double

The task for Rangers was to win the game. They failed. They looked the most likely to do that in the first half but the tie was still delicately balanced when the teams returned up the tunnel at the interval.

Kyiv were bright on the break, with Vladyslav Kabaiev in particular a danger down the left flank as James Tavernier struggled in his duel with the wide man. A couple of dangerous moments were not capitalised on by Kyiv and it was Rangers that had the clearest chances.

Jefte headed wide at the back post and then fired over after a free-kick was cleared. The Brazilian provided the cross that Cyriel Dessers headed straight at Georgiy Bushchan. The keeper saved easily after a tame Ross McCausland effort at the end of a swift break.

The second half was more open. Oleksandr Karavaiev couldn’t finish after advancing down the right channel. At the other end, Rangers were not clinical enough in key moments and Ridvan Yilmaz saw a low drive held.

The game was there to be won. It was Kyiv who capitalised on the chance. Pikhalonok beat Jack Butland with a low strike from the edge of the area after working himself into a shooting position. Just seconds later, a foray down the left opened up the opportunity that Voloshyn made the most of.

Clement calls hard to guess

Predicting a Clement line-up has proven to be a tricky business over the course of his tenure. Even when the team looks like it picks itself, the Belgian often has other ideas. This was a selection that proved the point.

The midfield three of Dujon Sterling, Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande that many supporters had called for was overlooked. Tom Lawrence started at No.10 and Sterling was omitted once again. Jefte did get the shirt, as expected, on the left but there was no place on the other side for Vaclav Cerny.

The winger made such an impression against Motherwell that it seemed certain that he would start here. It was a big call for Clement to overlook him. At the interval, Cerny’s name would have been the main one spoken about amongst supporters. The cheer on his introduction said it all but his impact was muted. Would it have been different had he started? That is for Clement to determine.

Hampden doesn’t feel like home

There is nothing quite like a European night under the floodlights. This one didn’t exactly hold the same attraction, though. The Ibrox factor has played a part so often on occasions like this but a fixture here was a very different proposition.

Clement spoke after the win over Motherwell and at his pre-match press conference about the need for the fans to play their part. The volume was turned up on the music before the teams took to the park but there was no surge around the ground even as the disco lights went through their routine on the roof.

In the East Stand, there were plenty of red, white and blue seats left spare. In the West, a display from the Union Bears read ‘Admired by all who know them’ as the shirts of heroes of yesteryear were held aloft.

There were few moments when the songs and cheers travelled around the bowl in a flat first half. The atmosphere was better after the break as the crowd tried to rally their side. The double from Dynamo killed Rangers’ chances and the spirit of the support. 

Jefte hard done by after red

The reaction from Jefte – the anger and the disbelief - spoke volumes. His aerial challenge with Karavaiev was barely a foul, never mind a booking. Hampden was stunned when Italian whistler Marco Guida produced a second yellow card and a subsequent red. It was a shocker of a decision.

Jefte protested his innocence but eventually had to leave the park. He ripped the tape off his arm and throw it down in disgust. Clement had a brief word with the 20-year-old before he departed. The manager was as bemused as his player. At the whistle, Clement went straight for the whistler to remonstrate.

Clement stuck with those on the park for several minutes. In keeping with Clement’s unpredictability, it was Diomande that made way for Sterling. The next change was enforced as Ben Davies replaced Yilmaz after he pulled a muscle attempting a shot from distance.

Transfer talk will dominate agenda

The subject of money has been raised before both fixtures. As much as Clement has talked up the prestige of the Champions League and his willingness to test himself and his players at that level, he has rightly acknowledged the significance of the financial rewards on offer. When he still has as much work to do, he knows that every little will help.

The additions of Robin Propper and Cerny were much needed. Yet this is still a squad that is bloated in some areas and short of quality in many others. As Clement outlined on Monday, it will take players to leave for more to arrive.

In an ideal world, he would have prepared for this tie with a far stronger group at his disposal. The rights and wrongs of the transfer window can only be fully assessed come the end of it. Ultimately, Rangers didn’t have enough when it mattered over the two legs. That debate will have started as soon as the whistle was blown.