Rangers boss Walter Smith criticised the performance of Swedish referee Jonas Eriksson after the SPL champions were denied a blatant penalty in their 4-1 Champions League defeat to Sevilla.

With the score at 0-0 approaching half-time, Steven Naismith was hacked down by Abdoulay Konko in the area but referee Eriksson waved play on.

Konko then opened the scoring after the break as Rangers fell apart with Adriano, Luis Fabiano and Fredi Kanoute also netting.

“At Champions League level, you would expect a better decision from what was, I think, a very clear-cut circumstance,” said the former Scotland and Everton manager.

“The ref opted out of a very clear-cut decision and it was a vital decision for us in the first half.

“You can’t say it was a turning point but when you play against teams of the level of Sevilla, we need circumstances to go with us.”