Rangers suffer shootout heartache to Eintracht Frankfurt in Europa League final

Rangers faltered at their final Europa League hurdle with a cruel 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.

Joe Aribo had the Gers fans in raptures in the searing heat of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium when he opened the scoring in the 57th minute.

However, Colombia forward Rafael Borre levelled in the 68th minute to give the game 30 added minutes where Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp made a fantastic last-gasp save from Ryan Kent.

Then came penalties and despair for the Light Blues and substitute Aaron Ramsey in particular who had his spot-kick saved.

Gers skipper James Tavernier scored as did substitutes Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Kemar Roofe, while Christopher Lenz, Ajdin Hrustic, Daichi Kamada, Filip Kostic and Borre scored their penalties as Rangers’ Europa League journey ended in disappointment.

It was Rangers’ 19th game in Europe this season and Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s side now have to get themselves ready for the Scottish Cup final against Hearts at Hampden Park on Saturday.

Ibrox optimism was high beforehand.

It was the same Rangers team from the semi-final win over RB Leipzig at Ibrox – fit again Roofe was on the bench  – with Aribo playing furthest forward again.

Tens of thousands of Gers fans travelled to Spain, most without tickets but in the event they ended up with about two thirds of the 42,000-capacity stadium as both sets of supporters contributed to a terrific atmosphere.

It was a frantic start to the match.

The game had a lengthy break when Frankfurt skipper Sebastian Rode required a bandage for a cut following a high challenge by Gers midfielder John Lundstram.

In the 20th minute, Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor turned a 20-yard drive from Ansgar Knauff round the