Caixinha takes blame after shocking Euro exit

PEDRO Caixinha says he will take the blame for Rangers’ humiliating Europa League exit — but will not rip up the blueprints for his Ibrox transformation job.

The Gers suffered their worst ever European result as they crashed out at the first qualifying stage hurdle to Luxembourg minnows Progres Niederkorn.

The part-timers had never won a game at continental level before facing the Gers — and had managed just one goal in their previous 13 ties — but second-half strikes from Emmanuel Francoise and Sebastien Thill handed them a 2-0 second-leg triumph.

And it is they who now march on to a second qualifying-round clash with either AEL Limassol or St Joseph’s after a 2-1 aggregate win.

Rangers were ropey at best during last week’s opener at Ibrox and were even less convincing as they toiled amid a balmy evening in the Grand Duchy.

Caixinha has signed eight new players this summer, with Graham Dorrans set to be the ninth when he arrives later this week, but there is little evidence so far that the new arrivals are any better than the team which trudged home last season 39 points behind Celtic.

Having presided over May’s nightmare 5-1 drubbing by the Hoops, there are many among the Light Blues support who believe his four-month reign is already doomed.

Caixinha, though, is refusing to panic.

The Portuguese coach said: “I’m just disappointed. I assume all the responsibility. We could not do what we were here to do — win the game.”

Ray McKinnon was pleased with the response from United’s kids against Montrose.