RANGERS fell to defeat in their concluding Group A fixture in the UEFA Champions League as Ajax ran out 3-1 winners at Ibrox this evening.
An early goal from Steven Berghuis, followed up by a Mohammed Kudus strike midway through the first half, sent Ajax on their way in the first half.
The Light Blues reduced the deficit five minutes from time as James Tavernier converted from the penalty spot after Rabbi Matondo was fouled, but the Dutch side immediately restored their two-goal advantage through substitute Francisco Conceicao.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst made three changes to his Rangers side from the victory over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership at the weekend, with Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Borna Barisic coming into the starting lineup.
Rangers suffered an early setback on the evening as Ajax took the lead inside three minutes. Owen Wijndal centred for Mohammed Kudus and, after the forward played a clever lay-off into Steven Berghuis’ path, the midfielder made no mistake with his finish.
Allan McGregor was alert to Berghuis’ audacious dinked attempt minutes later as Rangers looked to settle into a period of possession.
The Light Blues created their first moment of danger in the 12th minute as Ryan Kent maneuvered inside before teeing up Malik Tillman, only for the American to have his advances thwarted as he attempted to unleash a shot.
The Gers were beginning to build a head of steam as, less than 90 seconds later, Fashion Jr. goal bound header from a Kent cross was cleared off the line by the backtracking Calvin Bassey.
The Zambian looked particularly threatening with his direct running on the right-hand side, drawing a booking for Ajax midfielder Kenneth Taylor after he was hauled back on the break.
After surviving a scare when Taylor himself shot at McGregor, the away side doubled their advantage in the 28th minute. Wijndal slid a cut-back into the path of Kudus inside the penalty area before the Ghanaian’s strike deflected past McGregor via Leon King.
The Dutch side could have extended their lead four minutes later when Steven Bergwijn was played in-behind the Gers defensive line, but McGregor was equal to the winger’s effort.
Wijndal was forced to turn a dangerous Borna Barisic delivery behind for a corner as the Gers looked to cut the deficit before the interval.
Ajax threatened on the stroke of half-time as Berghuis’ stroked finish following neat play on the left-hand side was deflected out for a corner.
Devyn Rensch went into the referee’s notebook after Sakala was once again pulled back after advancing beyond his marker.
The visitors thought they had a third on the evening when Kudus had the ball in the net, but VAR intervened to rule the goal as offside.
James Tavernier curled a free-kick down the throat of Remko Pasveer, before the Ajax goalkeeper was forced into an acrobatic stop to deny Scott Arfield’s speculative volley from the edge of the penalty area.
Dusan Tadic let fly from distance for the visitors as Rangers looked to reduce the deficit down the opposite end through the dangerous Fashion Jr.
Alex Lowry was introduced with eight minutes remaining as the 19-year-old made his Champions League debut for the club.
The Gers then fashioned their best opportunity of the contest until that point as Alfredo Morelos stole possession from the Ajax goalkeeper, but he could only steer his effort off target.
However, the goal arrived for Rangers less than 90 seconds later as substitute Rabbi Matondo drove beyond the Ajax defence before he was bundled over inside the penalty area. Tavernier stepped up from 12 yards and made no mistake to hand the home side a lifeline.
That proved to be short-lived, however, as Ajax immediately restored their two-goal buffer when Francisco Conceicao dispatched beyond McGregor with a left-footed strike.
There was still time for one more chance as Fashion Jr. steered an effort wide after promising work on the right as attention now shifts to the weekend for Rangers with a trip to St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premiership.
RANGERS: McGregor, Tavernier, Sands, King, Barisic, Davis (Kamara, 59), Arfield (Lowry, 82), Tillman (Wright, 59), Fashion Jr., Colak (Morelos, 59), Kent (Matondo, 82).
Subs not used: McLaughlin, McCrorie, Devine, Fraser, Allan.
AJAX: Pasveer, Timber, Bassey, Alvarez, Wijndal (Rensch, 43), Bergwijn (Conceicao, 86), Taylor (Grillitsch, 86), Tadic, Sanchez, Kudus, Berghuis (Klaassen, 54).
Subs not used: Stekelenburg, Gorber, Brobbey, Ocampos, Kaplan, Blind, Lucca, Magallan.
REFEREE: Glenn Nyberg