JAMES TAVERNIER insists that he is proud of his team-mates’ efforts after Rangers were defeated on penalties in the final of the Europa League.
Joe Aribo put Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men ahead in the second leg before Rafael Borre equalised for Eintracht Frankfurt towards the end of the second half in Seville.
A superb stop from Kevin Trapp denied Ryan Kent at the death as the final went to a shoot-out, where the Bundesliga outfit triumphed 5-4.
Tavernier admits that the defeat is a painful one but vowed that the players will be ready for Saturday’s Scottish Cup final against Hearts.
“I’m just devastated but obviously I’m proud of every single one of those lads in the changing room,” the Ibrox skipper told BT Sport. “I’m proud of the club and the fans with the support they’ve given us throughout this run.
“We obviously wanted to make everyone proud but we didn’t get it over the line. To lose on penalties ... it hurts but I’m proud of everyone that stepped up and took one.
“We went toe to toe with them. It’s disappointing that we took the lead and conceded a goal like that. The keeper obviously made a fantastic save from Ryan Kent towards the end and then saved a penalty.
“But I’m proud of every single person who’s involved with Rangers. We’ve got to use this as fuel to push us on.
“We want to be back in these finals. We’ve got a massive game on Saturday.
“We’re a close-knit dressing room. We’ll get around each other. We’ll go and see our families now and recover well. We’ve got a massive game on Saturday.
“I know every single one of the lads in that dressing room will use that hurt and give it our all come Saturday.”
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