Barry Ferguson claims Rangers denied two ‘clear’ penalties in Bilbao

Barry Ferguson claimed Rangers were denied two penalties in their 2-0 defeat by Athletic Bilbao that sent them crashing out of the Europa League.

The Gers had battled hard last week to keep the first leg of the quarter-final tie at Ibrox goalless after the early dismissal of defender Robin Propper and were holding out in the San Mames stadium until added time in the first half when defender John Souttar conceded a penalty in added time which Oihan Sancet converted.

Gers midfielder Nicolas Raskin hit the post after the break but a header from Spain winger Nico Williams with 10 minutes remaining sealed the Gers’ fate in a 2-0 aggregate defeat.

Ferguson believes his side should have been awarded a penalty at 0-0 when striker Cyriel Dessers had his shirt pulled in the penalty box by Yeray Alvarez and claimed there was a handball in the Athletic box before Raskin got his shot away.

The former Rangers captain said: “We should have had two penalties.