The Gers to ‘start from zero’ after final loss
SEVILLE: Glasgow Rangers narrowly missed out on their first European trophy for 50 years after losing on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final on Wednesday, and the consequence of the defeat was not lost on manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Victory would have brought not only silverware for the Scottish side but also an automatic place in the lucrative group stage of next season’s Champions League.
Instead, Rangers must fight their way through the third qualifying round and then the playoff round to join rivals and Scottish champions Celtic in the group stage.
Former Barcelona and Netherlands full-back Van Bronckhorst said Rangers had shown that they had the quality to play at the elite European level.
“We showed it today, but next season we have to start all over again,” he said.
“No, it’s not certain we will be on this level.
“We’re going to work hard and make sure we develop as a team. We want to be on the stage and so you know next year we have to do it again.
“We start from zero and we’ll work hard to get silverware next season.”
Rangers’ only continental prize came in 1972 when they beat Dynamo Moscow in the now-discontinued European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Van Bronckhorst said Aaron Ramsey had shown courage in putting his hand up to take a penalty in the final after the midfielder was the only player to miss from the spot.
Ramsey was brought on in the 117th minute with the game level at 1-1 but had his spot kick saved by Kevin Trapp as Eintracht won 5-4 on penalties.
“He is very down,” Van Bronckhorst said. “It’s never nice to lose. Everyone is hurt and disappointed.
“Aaron was disappointed, but he took responsibility to take the penalty and you can make it or miss it. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it but you want to have players who are comfortable taking penalties.”