Rangers midfielder Cammy Devlin says he let his team-mates down by getting sent off in the first leg of their Conference League defeat to Jablonec.
The 28-year-old Australian was shown a red card for an ill-advised challenge on Jiri Slama just five minutes after coming on as a substitute in the home tie.
The resulting automatic suspension meant Devlin was powerless to affect the away leg in Jablonec nad Nisou, as he watched Rangers produce what was described as one of their worst ever European performances.
The shame of the defeat extended beyond the 17 players who featured in the Czech Republic to include the coaching staff and club hierarchy, as manager Derek McInnes's side were eliminated from their second European competition of the season.
Devlin's usual energetic, busting and aggressive style in midfield was entirely absent from the team's performance as they lost on penalties.
"I hate letting my team down and felt that was something I did there," Devlin said. "I was absolutely devastated. People have seen me play for long enough now, I wear my heart on my sleeve."
"So, for that to happen and the way it happened.. the still of it looks much worse if you actually watch the moment. I was so upset for that to happen. I am so desperate to do well. You have to show resilience in the tough moments and that was another one for me."
European exit criticism
There was no dressing up how poor the Scottish club were over the two legs. Former Rangers player Andy Halliday said on the radio that he did not know what sport the team were playing.
McInnes also admitted he struggled to discern the team's style of play during the match, leaving the Ibrox club staring at a crisis barely a month into the season.
Devlin agreed the reaction was justified. "The criticism is deserved. You play for Rangers and got knocked out of Europe," he said.
"Criticism is part of it. It's part of playing here and it wasn't good enough. The gaffer is so desperate to do well. He's spoken about that in all his interviews. Everyone knows how much this club means to him."
"He played here when he was a young guy. We are so desperate to do well for him, for the club and for the people who support us because it means so much to so many people."
"Representing such a special football club, it's not something you can take lightly. You have to move on, as hard as it is, you have to look forward and that's the only way."
Aberdeen victory
It remains to be seen if last Thursday's defeat will prove to be the nadir for McInnes and his newly shaped squad. However, after a few days of soul searching, Rangers showed impressive mettle to secure a 1-0 win away to Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Sunday.
Lawrence Shankland scored the winning goal from a penalty. The side also saw an infusion of imagination and pace from Kim Minsu, who made an eye-catching debut.
The team showed enough energy and desire to merit edging out the attritional contest. Devlin said blunt conversations in the days following the Jablonec match had served a purpose.
"In the tough moments, if you go into your shell after things like Thursday, you can't allow that to happen," Devlin said. "It's not easy, you're so down, but we had come together and had good conversations."
"We had a few days in Aberdeen to come together, talk to each other. It was really important and so good to show that camaraderie. I've been in Scotland a while now and that's what can help the team."
"There are so many good players at this club, so many good young players. But the one thing about playing for Rangers is you don't get too much time. You have to just throw yourself in."
Grinding out a result
"Sunday was about winning," Devlin added. "That was the most important thing. I think we showed a side to us that we maybe haven't so far."
"Any successful team at Rangers over the years, winning trophies, I'm sure it was done by doing the other side of the game too. It's not just about playing unreal football, which every team wants to do."
"On Sunday, we showed grit and determination, boys doing that extra bit to help their mate. That's not the pretty side of the game, but you have to do it and when you watch someone sprinting that extra bit to help their mate, it spurs you on."
"It's something I pride myself on, being the best team-mate you can possibly be."
Following the victory over Aberdeen, McInnes stated he enjoyed being the Rangers manager for the first time since he took charge. The club also saw the manager's touchline ban reduced to two games.
The win was only one good game in a season that has seen far more downs than ups. Rangers travel to play Falkirk on Wednesday having averted a full-blown crisis, but with a mountain of work to do before it is safe to say they are on the right tracks.
"The dig and determination to grind out a 1-0 win is as good as they come," Devlin said. "It was important to do it. Everyone knows how disappointing Europe was. So, many fans travelled to see that happen."
"But we keep our feet on the ground. It's one win and we look forward to Wednesday now. We have another tough game. So, we have to keep going."
