RANGERS kid Bailey Rice was taken off on a stretcher to applause around Ibrox after a sickening head injury against Athletic Bilbao.
TNT Sports declined to show replays of the 18-year-old’s nasty injury during the Gers’ astonishing Europa League quarter-final tie.
The midfielder, making only his second European appearance, needed lengthy treatment midway through the second period after taking a heavy blow to the head.
He was eventually taken off on a stretcher – as applause rang round Ibrox from both sets of supporters.
Rice’s head was in a brace but he thankfully managed to raise his hands to clap fans back.
And the gesture touched the heart of viewers.
One posted: “Brought a tear to my eye. Bailey Rice on a stretcher and obviously in difficulties and still managed to clap the fans.”
Most fans welcomed TNT’s decision not to replay the incident in which the starlet suffered his injury.
One wrote: “Good work by the broadcasters for not showing replays of those injuries to Bailey Rice. Hope it is not too serious.”
Rice’s misfortune cast a shadow over a night where Rangers defied surging odds against them to claim a first-leg draw.
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Robin Propper had an early yellow card upgraded to red after VAR intervened.
But Rangers clung on, only to lose Rice and then survive double drama soon after.
Athletic sub Alex Berenguer had a goal ruled out after a lengthy VAR check for offside.
But in the same review, the Video Assistant also helped referee Istvan Kovacs award a penalty for handball against defender Dujon Sterling.
However, Rangers’ keeper Liam Kelly – called up in place of Jack Butland – thwarted Berenguer from the spot.
And Barry Ferguson’s home side even ended the contest with nine men as Sterling went off crocked after all five subs had been used.
Hero Kelly told TNT Sports: “I never actually had much to do in the game.
“Once we went down to 10 men the guys in front of me were absolutely brilliant.
“We didn’t really know what was happening [after Bilbao scored] and then all of a sudden you hear penalty.
“I just wanted to help the team, I don’t really care about me.”
