Cyriel Dessers is looking for Rangers to finish their Europa League group phase on a high against Union Saint-Gilloise next week following their Old Trafford frustration.
The Nigeria international came off the bench to score a stunning late equaliser against United on Thursday after Gers goalkeeper Jack Butland had punched into his own goal.
But just as it looked like Philippe Clement’s makeshift side would return north of the border with a crucial point, United captain Bruno Fernandes took advantage of a defensive lapse to secure a 2-1 win for the Premier League side.
Rangers are 13th in the new league phase with 11 points from seven fixtures and have secured at least a place in the play-off round ahead of the final tie against Belgian side USG at Ibrox next Thursday, while there is a slim chance of automatically making the last 16.
Dessers told Rangers’ official website: “There are positives to take against a good opponent.
“In the first 70 minutes we didn’t give a lot of chances away and that is a big plus and that is something we need to take with us in the league.
“We are in a strong position in the group and our European adventure has been fantastic until now.
“We have had some great results and hopefully next week we can cap it off with a good result and look ahead to the next stage.”
Clement’s side were depleted by injury and suspension while some key players are not in the European squad.
And resources were stretched further when Leon Balogun and Connor Barron were replaced at half-time, with Vaclav Cerny also coming off in the second period.
The Ibrox side ended the match with 18-year-old academy youngsters Findlay Curtis and Bailey Rice on the park.
It was only Curtis’ second first-team appearance, coming just four days after his debut in the Scottish Cup win over Highland League side Fraserburgh.
Dessers, linked with a move away from Rangers in this January transfer window, said: “It is difficult to take at the end, especially because of the rollercoaster of emotions at the end.
“At first you feel that you are going to walk away with a point from Old Trafford and then you let it slip and that hurts.
“I think we can be very proud of the performance, to come here, with a team with a few injuries before the game and then we picked up some more during the game.
“Young guys had to come in and I think they did an unbelievable job, they put in a great shift in work ethic, courage, in playing forward.
“It is only their second or third game at this level and that is a big compliment.
“We thought we had got our reward against a very good team but then it hurts with the result at the end.”
