Rangers’ first-half collapse saw them conclude their dismal Europa League campaign with a 3-1 defeat to Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.
Gers attacker Djeidi Gassama put the visitors ahead after just six minutes but they soon crumbled with calamitous defending and goals from teenager Rodrigo Mora, Francisco Moura and an own goal from Emmanuel Fernandez before half-time left Danny Rohl’s side reeling, with the Portuguese side comfortably fending off an improved Govan side after the break.
Rangers were already out of the competition before kick-off, but it was the first defeat in nine games for the Ibrox team, who at times in the first half returned to their early season form.
The Light Blues, who left the competition with four points from eight league games, return to the more encouraging surroundings of the William Hill Premiership on Sunday, where they will take on Hibernian at Easter Road hoping to remain at least four points behind leaders Hearts.
Rohl was always going to have one eye on Hibs, although his three January signings – Danish winger Andreas Skov Olsen, Danish midfielder Tochi Chukwuani and Belgian left-back Tuur Rommens – were ineligible, as was Nedim Bajrami.
The Gers boss made five changes with the addition of Max Aarons, Mohamed Diomande, Findlay Curtis, Gassama and Youssef Chermiti.
Francesco Farioli’s team had lost just one game in seven Euro matches to sit ninth and were seeking automatic qualification, but the home fans were soon shocked when Curtis’s cross from the right was headed into the ground past Portuguese international goalkeeper Diogo Costa by Gassama.
Porto, however, soon took control and in the 27th minute, when Gers defender Jayden Meghoma pushed the ball into his own goal trying to clear, 18-year-old Rodrigo Mora quickly controlled and fired from close range.
Minutes later, the VAR reviewed a possible penalty for Porto, when Fernández left Pepê on the ground with a last-gasp tackle inside the light blue area, but the game continued.
The Rangers crumbled, losing two goals in five minutes near the end of the half.
In the 36th minute, after captain James Tavernier and goalkeeper Jack Butland tripped while trying to deal with a long ball inside the box, Francisco Moura was left with a shot into the net from a yard out.
An unbalanced Fernández headed into his own goal from a corner in the 41st minute to add to Gers’ misery.
Govan’s men tried to fight back in the second half with Rohl using all five substitutes, with one eye on Easter Road at the weekend.
In the 63rd minute, Gers midfielder Nico Raskin stopped Costa, but the corner did not pose any danger.
Butland then got into trouble in his own area but substitute John Souttar cleaned up and there were a few more misses from Porto as they continued on with Rangers eliminated.