Smith laments penalty rejection

18 March 2011 09:00
Rangers manager Walter Smith felt the denial of a clear penalty award for his side proved crucial in their Europa League exit against PSV Eindhoven. However, Smith admitted his side had themselves to blame for their uphill struggle after their poor start to the second leg of the last-16 tie. Jeremain Lens netted the only goal of the tie in the 14th minute after Balazs Dzsudzsak escaped Richard Foster to send in a low cross from the left as PSV went on to win 1-0 both on the night and on aggregate. Rangers struggled in the first half but exerted some sustained pressure around the hour mark. Maurice Edu scuffed a great chance, Steven Naismith headed against the bar and Kyle Bartley's follow-up appeared to be handled on the line by PSV midfielder Atiba Hutchinson, which was missed by the referee, assistant and extra official behind the line. But Rangers could not maintain their pressure and PSV came closer to another goal after Kyle Lafferty was stretchered off. Smith said: "We were a bit disappointed with the way we started. I didn't feel we played well at all in the first half. We gave away a bad goal. You have got to look at the penalty situation. We had a couple of chances in the run-up to a clear handball on the line. I don't know how many officials we have got on the pitch but they all missed it. It would have changed the game."

Source: PA