Aaron Ramsey ‘still gutted’ after failed Rangers spell, blames Van Bronckhorst for penalty miss
Aaron Ramsey has claimed he is still gutted after his frustrating spell at Rangers and blamed Giovanni van Bronckhorst for his penalty miss against Frankfurt.
Ramsey has claimed that it was the pressure of being brought on with the intention of being their shootout hero that got to him and clouded his mind as he stepped up to take the deciding spot kick.
He has also listed a number of injuries and illnesses as the reasons behind his failed Ibrox career but said Rangers are a special club where he will always hold on to some great memories.
Speaking to Four Four Two [20 September], as reported by the Daily Record, Ramsey claimed: “I was essentially brought on solely to take a penalty in the shootout, which I’m not sure is the best idea.
“That played on my mind as I went to take it, instead of being clear about where I wanted to put it. I’m still gutted that I missed that penalty and gutted for the fans that we couldn’t lift the trophy for them.
“I was really excited to go to Rangers – I wanted to experience the Old Firm derby and I knew they were playing in the Europa League, which I was pretty excited about.
“I had a couple of injuries during my time there, which made it difficult to get into any kind of rhythm. I [also] had a horrible case of Covid shortly before I signed, which meant I didn’t arrive in the best shape and it was no surprise that my body broke down.
“It was frustrating but I still made some great memories – the incredible run to that final, playing in an Old Firm game, scoring in an Old Firm game and lifting the Scottish Cup….it’s a special club.”
A disappointing end to a disappointing spell
It seems, based on the Welshman’s assessment of his Ibrox spell, that it was a case of the wrong place at the wrong time despite what everybody had hoped. After arriving in Glasgow surrounded by optimism, things couldn’t really have gone much worse.
Being unlucky with illness and injuries had a huge impact on his spell, as his availability proved to be a huge disappointment after he was signed to be a season-changing signing.
The penalty drama is a situation in itself. The final bad note on an already disappointing season for Ramsey, things couldn’t have ended in more of a tense, dramatic, and ultimately disappointing way.
The decision to blame his boss at the time is an interesting one, but seemingly one that still plays on his mind, as he also confessed he wished he could have been given more time and done more to influence the game.
Ramsey’s ultimate confession that he will still look back on the difficult spell with fond memories of moments he did provide for the club was a nice touch but is not necessarily a sentiment that will be held by plenty of Rangers fans, with haunting memories of Seville still scarring.
In other Rangers news, a new injury concern has emerged at Ibrox.