Rangers 0 Hertha Berlin 1 – Philippe Clement SENT OFF while German fans celebrate Kempf goal with pyro
PHILIPPE CLEMENT was sent off as Rangers were dumped by Hertha Berlin in a closed door friendly.
The Gers boss saw red seven minutes into the second half in La Manga.
Clement was furious a foul on sub Scott Wrght wasn’t given.
Yet there seemed little in his protests to warrant the punishment dished out.
Clement included Ridvan Yilmaz in his starting line-up.
The Turk has been heavily linked with a move to Italy, but he started for Rangers in Spain.
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There was a change in goal too as Robbie McCrorie came in for Jack Butland.
Nico Raskin returned to the midfield, with Fabio Silva starting in attack.
Despite dominating much of the first half, Rangers trailed at the break - the Hertha goal coming right on half-time.
Rabbi Matondo had forced Berlin keeper Tjark Ernst into two good saves, with John Lundstram also going close with a deflected effort.
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Clement’s men were pressing high up the pitch, seemingly in control.
But from a Marten Winkler corner, skipper Marc Oliver Kempf rose highest to head the ball beyond McCrorie.
It was a poor goal to lose, the marking nowhere near good enough.
As expected, Clement changed his entire team at half-time.
Jack Butland was back in goal with Cyriel Dessers, Connor Goldson, Jose Cifuentes, Leon King, Ross McCausland, Johnly Yfeko, Robbie Fraser, Bailey Rice, Cole McKinnon and Wright all coming on.
It was always Clement’s plan to field two different teams in either half.
In a bonkers start to the second half the Rangers boss sent off.
Clement could be heard complaining to the linesman when a clear foul on Wright wasn’t given.
Initially, it seemed the referee was wandering over to calm him down.
Instead, he reached for his red card, forcing Clement to trudge across the field and watch the remainder of the game from the stand.
It seemed a ridiculous decision in the context of a closed door friendly.
A superb save by Butland denied Derry Scherhant after Goldson had been caught in possession.
Dessers then went close at the other end, with Wright also firing past.
The game had certainly come to life in the second half.
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Rangers had chances to draw level, but neither McCausland or Cifuentes could convert.
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HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
A scrappy affair between two sides preparing for the second half of their seasons.
Rangers had the biggest share of possession early on in the first half but Hertha grew into the game and got their goal.
A weakened 11 came out for the second half as Clement rung in the changes.
And Hertha looked in control for large spells as they saw out the game.
FULL TIME HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
The final whistle goes as Rangers are defeated in their first friendly of the winter break.
A first half header was enough to see off two Rangers teams after 11 changes were made at half time.
Fireworks have been set off by Hertha ultras behind the dug out.
92' RANGERS CHANCE!
Some pressure from Rangers in the last couple of minutes has Hertha pinned back.
It falls to Scott Wright but his chance is over the bar.
91' HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
Hertha ultras have gathered outside the pitch as smoke erupts behind the dugout.
90' RANGERS CHANCE!
The best chance of the game for Rangers as Cifuentes gets on the end of a Dessers cut back.
But his shot goes wide and it remains 1-0 heading into stoppage time.
89' RANGERS CHANCE!
McCasualnd gets underneath the ball over the top but his volley is weak and easily saved.
88' HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
Two fouls in quick succession by Robbie Fraser gives Hertha a free kick on the right hand side edge of the box.
The shot is saved by Butland.
85' RANGERS CHANCE!
A ball over the top lands at Dessers' feet a few yards out but he can't direct the ball towards goal and Hertha regain possession.
82' HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
A great pass by Bailey Rice puts McCausland through but his cut back is snuffed out and amounts to nothing.
75' CHANCE RANGERS!
Cifuentes picks up a loose ball outside the Hertha box but his effort goes well over the bar.
HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
Both sides sharing the possession but struggling to initiate any real attacking plays.
64' HERTHA BERLIN CHANCE!
Connor Goldson's mistake allowed a 1v1 for Hertha but Jack Butland makes a great save.
That could've been 2-0.
56' CLEMENT SENT OFF!
Philippe Clement has been sent off after complaning to the referee.
He was adamant his side should've had a free kick after a foul on Scott Wright.
55' HERTHA BERLIN CHANCE
A corner comes in from the right hand side but the header is parried away by Butland and cleared for a Hertha throw in.
Goldson is shown a yellow card after complaining to the referee.
RANGERS CHANGES
Rangers have made a full change for the second half with 11 substitutes coming into the next 45 minutes.
Second half lineup for Rangers SECOND HALF!
The second half is underway with a host of changes in the Rangers side including youngsters Bailey Rice and Robbie Fraser.
HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
Rangers will be disappointed to be a goal down at the break.
But the warning signs have been there and Hertha have looked dangerous on the counter.
Clement may well field a different 11 in the second half.
HALF TIME! HERTHA BERLIN 1 RANGERS 0
The half time whistle goes as Hertha take a 1-0 lead at the end of the first 45.
Kempf with the header to make it 1-0 from a corner.
Both teams struggled to keep possession for spells and Hertha grew stronger towards half time.
45' GOAL HERTHA BERLIN!
Hertha make it 1-0 after a corner is headed in by captain Kempf.
They take the lead on the stroke of half time!
45' HERTHA BERLIN CORNER
Hertha putting the pressure on as they win the corner after good play.
41' RANGERS CHANCE
The ball falls to Yilmaz on the edge of the box as he cuts inside onto his weaker foot.
But his shot is easy for the goalkeeper to save.
40' HERTHA BERLIN 0 RANGERS 0
Manager Pal Dardai gets spoken to by the referee after protesting against a Rangers free kick on the touchline.
36' HERTHA BERLIN 0 RANGERS 0
A good breakaway from Hertha down the left as Tavernier loses the ball.
The play is snuffed out after a deflected shot lands in McCrorie's hands.
29' HERTHA BERLIN OFFSIDE
A loose ball from Yilmaz is picked up by Hertha who go forward and switch the play.
But the referee's whistle blows for offside in Rangers' final third before the cross can come in.