Tomasson digs at Rangers’ finances before they’re forced to play in third kit and knocked out of UCL

Malmo manager Jon Dahl Tomasson claimed that Rangers needed the money that Champions League qualification would bring – shortly before his side knocked them out of the competition.

The Swedish champions defeated Rangers 2-1 at Ibrox last night to progress to the final round of Champions League qualifying via a 4-2 aggregate scoreline.

Alfredo Morelos opened the scoring on the night for Rangers. They went into the break with a one-goal advantage.

They were forced to wear their third kit for the home leg of the tie, after what the club described as “limited kit options made available by tonight’s opponents“.

Shortly before the conclusion of the first half, Malmo midfielder Bonke Innocent was shown a second yellow card.

Rangers could not make the man advantage count, however. Malmo forward Antonio Colak scored twice in the space of five minutes to give Malmo the lead on the night.

The aggregate victory means that Tomasson’s side goes through to the final round of Champions League qualifying. They will take on Bulgarian champions Ludogorets.

Rangers, meanwhile, will face either Kairat or Alashkert in the Europa League play-off round.

Tomasson’s pre-match comments

Prior to the game, Tomasson was asked by the press whether he felt Steven Gerrard‘s side were under more pressure to win, given the match was being played at Ibrox.

He replied: “Don’t you think that they need the Champions League money here?

“I think so. I think they need that. I think that’s a good answer, isn’t it?”

Had Rangers won the tie, they would have kept alive their hopes of playing in Europe’s premier competition for the first time since 2010/11.

Coincidentally, the last time they entered the qualification rounds for the Champions League in 2011/12, they also lost on aggregate to Malmo.

Rangers are next in action on Friday. They take on Dunfermline in the Scottish League Cup.

Featured Image Credit: Getty

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