SHELLSHOCKED Red Star Belgrade stopper Aleksandar Dragovic admits he was rag-dolled by Rangers record-breaking striker Alfredo Morelos.
The Colombian star is now the highest scoring South American in the history of the Europa League and UEFA Cup after his goal saw him overtake countryman Radamel Falcao, with only Celtic icon Henrik Larsson and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar ahead of him in the list.
Rangers romped to a 3-0 win and experienced Austrian international defender Dragovic - who has 98 caps for his country - admitted Morelos was too hot to handle.
The former Bayer Leverkusen star said: "We knew Alfredo Morelos was a good striker and we knew how good he was at hold-up play.
"The first time I had a tackle with him, he bounced me five metres away.
"He had one chance and took it.
"I actually thought I did okay against him, but the goal he scored came from a break and it punished us."
But captain Milan Borjan insists they can still turn the tie around despite the first leg deficit.
The Canadian international keeper said: "We had chances and didn't take them, but that's football.
"I hope in front of a full Marakana we can right the wrongs of this game and still qualify. It just wasn't our day. I remain proud of how we played and the tie is not over."
However, Red Star were sharply criticised in their homeland and Serbian TV pundit - former Atletico Madrid and Werder Bremen striker, Rade Bogdanovic - reckons the tie is over.
He said: "Red Star were unlucky, but defensively they were all over the place. Strahinja Erakovic is nowhere near good enough and they had imposters in that team.
"Basically, they succumbed to the atmosphere and proved they are not ready for this level of football. They are not mentally strong enough.
"Cristiano Piccini was on his knees by the end of the game. They lost out in fitness too."
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