Europa League final ratings: Rangers star shines bright but Aaron Ramsey fluffs his lines in penalty shootout loss to Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt celebrate Europa League win

Rangers were beaten 5-4 on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt after a 1-1 draw in the Europa League final in Seville, with Aaron Ramsey missing the critical spot-kick for the Ibrox outfit.

The Scottish Premiership side started slowly but finished strongly and could have won it at the end of extra-time through Ryan Kent, but it was not to be as the fourth Rangers penalty, taken by Ramsey, was saved and the German outfit dispatched all of their spot-kicks clinically to claim glory.

Rangers had taken the lead through Joe Aribo before Rafael Borre netted an equaliser for Frankfurt, with the lottery of penalties then going the Bundesliga side’s way.

Scott Wright was handed a place in the starting line-up, with Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey only deemed fit enough to start on the bench.

Midfielder Joe Aribo was pushed up front and flanked by Wright and Ryan Kent, as the Ibrox outfit chased glory in Seville.

Gers midfielder John Lundstram escaped without a card after leaving opposing skipper Sebastian Rode bleeding from a head wound after a high boot before Allan McGregor made a comfortable double save.

The Gers keeper had to be at his best though to deny Ansgar Knauff before Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men started to get a foothold in the game.

Aribo sent a curling effort just wide from the edge of the box and Ryan Jack blazed over just before the break.

Frankfurt went mighty close to taking the lead early in the second period. Jesper Lindstrom worked some space on the edge of the box but his shot was deflected a yard wide with McGregor beaten.

Aribo breaks the deadlock

Connor Goldson then appeared to get away with a potential Frankfurt penalty but VAR decided not to intervene.

But it was Rangers who took the lead against the run of play in the 56th minute. Frankfurt centre-back Tuta slipped after a misjudged header from teammate Djibril Sow, allowing Aribo a clear run on goal and the makeshift striker slotted home clinically.

Daichi Kamada missed a great chance to draw Frankfurt level after a mistake from Connor Goldson. However, the Japan star could only find the roof of the net after lobbing an effort over McGregor.

The German side did level matters though in the 69th minute. Poor Rangers defending allowed Rafael Borre to sweep home from six yards after a cross from Filip Kostic.

Rangers did finish the game strongly but neither side could find a winner and the extra period was needed.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst changed the shape of his team in extra-time, switching to 3-5-2 and it gave the Ibrox outfit more control.

Borna Barisic tested Kevin Trapp in the Frankfurt goal at the start of the second period of extra-time, with Frankfurt appearing to run out of steam.

McGregor was concerned as a Kristijan Jakic drive flew just over the bar before Ryan Kent missed a great chance to win the trophy at the death but his close-range effort was kept out by Trapp.

So the game went to penalties and while Tavernier, Steven Davis, Scott Arfield and Kemar Roofe all converted for Rangers it was Ramsey’s miss that proved critical.

Rangers (4-3-3)

Allan McGregor:  Made a top save to deny Ansgar Knauff as Frankfurt started on the front foot. His goal was peppered throughout as Frankfurt provided the greater goal threat. No real chance with any of the Frankfurt penalties. 7/10

James Tavernier: Careless in possession at times to put Rangers on the back foot. Did try and get forward but was often pushed back by the Frankfurt press and their threat on the break. Much better when he was moved to wing-back. Netted in the shootout. 6

Connor Goldson: Perhaps a tad fortunate to get away with a penalty early in the second half and should have cleared the cross that led to Frankfurt’s equaliser. 5

Calvin Bassey: Powerful performance from the Nigeria international. However, he was let down by his centre-back partner Goldson for Frankfurt’s leveller. Easily the best Rangers player on the night. 8

Calvin Bassey, Jesper Lindstrom Europa League final

Borna Barisic: Played it safe by not pushing forward too often and leaving Rangers exposed to the counter. Subbed in extra-time. 6

Ryan Jack: Blazed a good opportunity over the bar just before the break as Gers started to get a foothold in the game. Did not really have an impact on the game and taken off in the second half. 5

John Lundstram: Slightly fortunate not to receive an early booking for a high boot that drew blood from the head of Stuttgart skipper Sebastian Rode. Put himself about but not always composed in possession. 6

Glen Kamara: Made a couple of driving runs early on but could not really put his stamp on the game. Subbed for the extra-time period. 5

Rangers dangerman struggles to make an impact

Ryan Kent: The main threat for Rangers whenever he got the ball but sadly for Rangers fans did not get it enough in the opening 90 minutes. Came to life in the extra-time period and missed an unbelievable chance to win it with minutes to go but Trapp saved.  6

Joe Aribo: Forced to play as a central striker, with Roofe only fit enough for the bench. Struggled to get a look in early on before flashing an effort just wide from 20 yards. Took his goal really well after errors in the Frankfurt defence. Subbed. 7

Scott Wright: Preferred to start on the right of the Rangers attack but struggled to get into the game. Subbed in the second half. 5

Substitutes:

Steven Davis (on for Jack, 74): Gave Rangers more control in midfield and made sure they were on the front foot more. Great penalty in the shootout. 7

Fashion Sakala (on for Wright, 74): His pace was a threat to the Frankfurt defence. Hauled off in extra-time with penalties looming. 6

Scott Arfield (on for Kamara, 90): Came on in midfield but switched to the No.9 role when Aribo went off. Smashed his spot-kick home in the shootout. 6

James Sands (on for Aribo, 101): Brought on to solidify the Rangers midfield and did his job well. 6

Kemar Roofe (on for Barisic, 117): On for the shootout and did his bit when his strike flew in off the post. 6

Aaron Ramsey (on for Sakala, 117): Came on late with penalties in mind but fluffed his lines with a poor spot-kick saved by Trapp. 4

Aaron Ramsey Joe Aribo Calvin Bassey

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