“Think of the nights they’ve given us…”
Ally McCoist struggled to keep a lid on his emotions in the immediate aftermath of Rangers’ Europa League final defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt on Wednesday.
The former Rangers and Scotland forward was in Seville as part of BT Sport’s coverage of the game and watched on as his old side went down 5-4 on a penalty shootout to the Bundesliga side.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side had taken the lead in the second half through Joe Aribo, only for Eintracht to draw level with 20 minutes to play.
After a pointblank save from Kevin Trapp denied Ryan Kent a winner in the dying seconds of extra-time, Aaron Ramsey, who had entered the game as a late substitute in extra-time, saw the goalkeeper save his penalty, ultimately handing victory to Frankfurt.
McCoist on Rangers heartbreak
Speaking as Rangers’ players collected their runners-up medals, McCoist – voice breaking as he spoke – admitted he was devastated for the team.
“The boys will be heartbroken, you can see it in the supporters’ faces as well,” he said.
“I 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.”
‘They’ve got another cup final on Saturday…’
McCoist went on to praise the standard of Frankfurt’s penalties, before addressing comments by John Lundstram, who told BT after full-time that he felt he and his teammates had let Rangers supporters down.
“John Lundstram and these players have not let anyone down,” McCoist 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.
“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.”
They do. Rangers will now attempt to pick themselves up in time for the weekend, where they face Hearts in the Scottish Cup final.
Jubilation for Eintracht Frankfurt!
The 2022 Europa League winners! 🏆
What a moment for the German outfit! 👏#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/1uF23qHV6b
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 18, 2022
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