Ally McCoist struggled to hide his emotions as Rangers suffered Europa League final heartbreak, losing 5-4 to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties.
More than 100,000 Gers descended on Seville with the hopes of lifting their first major European honour since 1972. And the Scottish side put up a valiant effort against their Bundesliga opponents, standing up to first-half pressure to go in at the break with the scores level.
And just before the hour mark, the travelling Rangers fans were sent into pandemonium when Joe Aribo pounced on a Tuta error to open the scoring. However, Frankfurt’s pressure told and they equalised with 20 minutes of normal time remaining through Rafael Borre.
That took the game to extra-time when Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side found a second wind from somewhere and were so close to winning it all. In the dying moments of the second period, Ryan Kent looked destined to score, only for Kevin Trapp to pull off a magnificent save.
It was then to penalties, but after six perfect spot kicks, Aaron Ramsey blinked first, with the former Arsenal midfielder seeing his saved. Frankfurt then held their nerve with Borre the hero, stroking the decisive penalty in the top corner.
Rangers legend McCoist was in Seville, covering the game for BT Sport and went through a full range of emotions during the encounter, but was left, along with the majority of the stadium, utterly crest-fallen.
Speaking in a cracked voice, the Ibrox icon said: “The boys will be heartbroken, you can see it in the supporter’s faces as well.
“Feel for them, absolutely gutted for them. They put so much into that game. I thought they were the stronger team at the end but it wasn’t to be, and what a chance. We go back to the chance Ryan Kent had to win it, what a chance to win it.
“But I’ve got to say, the quality of the penalty kicks, especially from Frankfurt, is absolutely first class.” John Lundstram then suggested that the players had let down their amazing travelling support, a fact McCoist strongly disputed.
“John Lundstram and these players have not let anyone down,” he added. “John and the rest of the boys can be extremely proud of the journey they’ve taken us all on this season. Every one of them can be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.”
Reflecting after Rangers had solemnly collected their silver medals, McCoist continued: “It’s a massive disappointment, clearly, but at the same time I keep coming back and we’ve got to look to the bigger picture of what these boys achieved.
“These boys have achieved something incredible. Think of the nights they’ve given us - the nights against Dortmund, against Red Star Belgrade, against Leipzig - phenomenal nights. Of course it’s a disappointment, but they’ve got another Cup final on Saturday.”
