GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST has admitted his Rangers side were well under par as they were defeated in Champions League qualifying against Union Saint-Gilloise. 

A passive first-half performance by the Govan outfit, saw the home side take the lead in the 27th minute when captain Teddy Teuma opened the scoring with a shot which asked questions of Gers keeper Jon McLaughlin’s attempt to save. 

A laboured display from Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side continued after the break and a Dante Vanzeir penalty in the 76th minute doubled the Belgian side’s lead. 

Rangers now have it all to do in the return leg at Ibrox next week and van Bronckhorst knows performances must improve. 

He said: “It was very disappointing. We have so much at stake this month, qualifying for the Champions League. 

“The performance today was below par. It was hard for us to get into the game. 

“We didn’t do anything with our ball possession and we were sloppy. We weren’t winning the duals. 

“They became better and better and we didn’t react to that. We were never really in the game. 

“We are a little bit lucky that the score is only 2-0. Although I am surprised the referee gave the penalty decision. 

“There is so much at stake for all the clubs and you must make the right decision. I don’t think we could have done anything else with the deflection and the handball. 

“The most important thing now is for myself to refelct on our own game because we need to change it around on Tuesday, big time. The performance needs to be a lot better than we showed today.” 

Van Bronckhorst also hopes to have Ryan Kent back in his squad for the return fixture at Ibrox. 

He added: “Hopefully he is back. Ryan had a bad moment on Saturday against Livingston when he had problems with his ankle. 

“Hopefully he will be better for Saturday and then for Tuesday.”