James Tavernier vows Rangers will ‘come back stronger’ from European heartbreak

James Tavernier has told disappointed fans that Rangers will “come back stronger” following their Europa League disappointment on Wednesday night.

The Light Blues fell short at the final hurdle with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville after the game had ended 1-1 following 120 tense minutes.

Tens of thousands of supporters travelled to Spain – most of them without tickets – and will now turn their focus to Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts at Hampden Park.

Rangers captain Tavernier was “devastated” by the defeat to the Bundesliga outfit but reached out to the supporters, saying: “I couldn’t be more proud of them. I thank them very much for the support they give us.

“We all feel the support they give us, 100,000 people going to Seville, from everywhere, I couldn’t be more proud.

“This isn’t the end of us, we will come back stronger and make them proud.”

Joe Aribo put Rangers ahead at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium in the 57th minute after capitalising on a slip in the German side’s defence.

We want to be pushing for these types of games, we will use this as fuel for seasons to come and this weekend.- James Tavernier

However, Frankfurt levelled 12 minutes later when Rafael Borre got ahead of his marker to turn home a low cross.

Gers finished extra time strongly and Ryan Kent, Steven Davis and Tavernier all went close to snatching a winner.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men could not find the breakthrough though, and Aaron Ramsey, a 117th-minute substitute, saw his spot-kick saved in the shoot-put before Borre netted to seal victory for Frankfurt.

Tavernier said: “I was devastated, devastated with the way the game unfolded. To lose on penalties is tough to take.

“We took the lead and