Scottish football’s most embarrassing European defeats as Dundee United join the hall of shame

There will be some sore heads among the throng of Dundee United supporters who hit Alkmaar with a tangerine blast upon their return to Europe.

But the pre-match hope was replaced by despair as 2,000-plus diehards were left heartbroken as they watched their side hammered 7-0 by AZ. It was truly a disastrous night as Pascal Jansen's side ran roughshod over United and were five up before the half time oranges were dished out. Ashen-faced Jack Ross pulled no punches and the mortified United boss apologised to the supporters who were given a front row seat to a live-action horror film.

United supporters aren't the first to be left gutted, and Scottish football's many European highs have been levelled out by several lows over the years. And, in some cases, a European humbling often acts as a catalyst for change which leads to brighter days ahead. United will hope that is the case for them.

Record Sport takes a trip down memory pain to recall some of the most harrowing continental cock-ups over the years in the wake of United's Europa Conference League playoff shellacking.

On a truly mortifying night, it's hard to believe the embarrassment increased after the match as Pedro Caixinha was captured rucking in the bushes with irate Rangers fans. The travelling Light Blues army were right to air their grievances after seeing their team unceremoniously dumped out of Europe by minnows from Luxembourg. But the real shame happened well before the Portuguese bullfighter saw red after the match.

Rangers fielded a patchwork side of new signings and others not fit for purpose but there's no mitigating circumstances that can legislate for being outfoxed by a side like Progres. Yes, there were several near misses as Kenny Miller was