Steven Davis was left 'hurting' after Rangers suffered an agonising penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in the final of the Europa League.
Frankfurt came from behind to force extra-time as the decider in Seville finished 1-1 following 120 minutes of action at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.
Joe Aribo put Rangers in front in the 57th minute when he slotted home following a mistake by the German side’s defence.
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Frankfurt levelled 12 minutes later when Rafael Borre forced the ball home from close range following a low cross.
Ryan Kent was denied at close range in extra-time while Davis had a shot deflected inches over the bar as Rangers pushed for a late winner.
James Tavernier also had a free-kick saved in stoppage-time of the 1-1 draw.
Aaron Ramsey, a 117th-minute substitute, saw his spot-kick saved and Borre netted to seal a 5-4 shootout win.
Northern Ireland captain Davis was left to nurse the agony of missing out on a major trophy in the cruellest of fashion.
"Obviously it is huge disappointment. Once it goes to that stage it is a lottery," Davis told BT Sport.
"It is hard to reflect straight away after the game. We are bitterly disappointed. We were desperate to come here and obviously send the fans home happy.
"They have been tremendous for us throughout the whole campaign. The boys have also been tremendous. But it hurts tonight.
"I felt we were starting to control the game and had a couple of chances. Borna (Barisic) had a good shot, Tav (James Tavernier) had a free-kick but the keeper was well positioned.
"And I had a chance and it just went over. But it was always going to turn into a moment of magic, or a mistake, but that never happened.
"And the game went to penalties and we were on the wrong side of it."
Davis - who scored in the penalty shootout - was part of the last Rangers squad to play in a European final back in 2008 when the Glasgow club lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.
He added: "Whenever you get to a final it always hurts when you don't come away with the trophy.
"This is the same tonight, but I felt coming into this game and the form we've shown in Europe, and the teams we have beaten in the competition, that we would go on to win it.
"So it is a major disappointment, but I couldn't be prouder of all the lads and staff, and the fans and everyone associated with the club.
"We know how difficult it was to get here, and we left everything out there on the pitch to try and get the result we wanted.
"Unfortunately it never happened and it will be a sore one to take. I just want to thank all the fans for their support throughout this journey.
"Thousands have travelled from all over the world and I just want to say thanks to them."
Speculation has been mounting over Davis' future at Ibrox, with the 37-year-old set to come out of contract this summer.
But the Northern Ireland midfielder says his only focus is on recovering for Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Hearts at Hampden.
"I don't really know, and I don't even want to think about that tonight," he said.
"We have a massive game on Saturday as well so hopefully we get a winner's medal from that.
"We just need to get over this as soon as possible."
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