Beck Pascal

Fri 20 May 2022 8:40, UK

Ally McCoist has admitted that he was “surprised” not to have seen Aaron Ramsey or Kemar Roofe start for Rangers in Seville. 

The Light Blues lost to Eintracht Frankfurt 5-4 on penalties with the game-ending one goal apiece after extra time – with Ramsey missing the the only penalty of the shoutout. 

Despite passing late fitness checks, Giovanni van Bronckhorst decided not to start the senior duo much to McCoist’s surprise. 

He told talkSPORT: “I was surprised,” McCoist said of Ramsey’s omission. “We don’t know the real fitness situation, we don’t know how fit these guys are but he played at the weekend.

“I was probably more surprised there was no Kemar Roofe.

“Joe Aribo has done reasonably well in that position [striker]. However, if you’re playing a centre forward [referring to Roofe] who knows the position, plays the position, that was the one that probably surprised me more.”

Done.

You really can’t argue with van Bronckhorst’s starting line-up. Joe Aribo started in place of Roofe up front and he was the one who put Rangers ahead with a very cool finish. 

The midfield played excellently overall, dealing with all of the problems the Bundesliga outfit looked to impose on them very well.

They certainly could have come on earlier in the game to have made more of an impact – especially Ramsey whose decisive penalty miss was most likely down to not having enough feel for the ball in the few minutes he did play.

It is done now and the Gers have lost the game. That doesn’t take anything away from the amazing European journey the club has given the supporters this season.

Make no mistake, it was heart-wrenching to have lost but this season will go down in history.

There is still the chance of silverware and the Bears must snatch it on the weekend in the Scottish Cup final against Hearts.

In other Rangers news, Kris Boyd has said that one Rangers star will have big regrets over one key moment after the “cruel” Europa League loss.