Eintracht Frankfurt beat Rangers in the UEFA Europa League final and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp admits he ‘knew’ Aaron Ramsey would wait until the last second to decide where to put his fateful penalty, speaking to the club’s official website.
It just felt all-too inevitable.
Ramsey, Rangers’ biggest name player, arguably their most eye-catching singing since the turn of the Century, brought on in the dying embers of added time for this and this alone.
Add in the fact that his Ibrox career has been underwhelming to say the least, and it just felt fitting that, if anyone was supposed to miss from 12 yards, it would be him.
And, as the Juventus loanee fired straight at the sprawling legs of Kevin Trapp, the narrative was complete. No redemption arc for Ramsey. No fairytale ending for Rangers.
Aaron Ramsey penalty miss crucial as Rangers lose Europa League final
“We won Eintracht’s first European Cup in 42 years! It’s the best moment of my career. It’s just pure pride,” grins an elated Trapp, the hero to Ramsey’s luckless villain.
“Of course, you prepare for possible penalty takers. After the first three didn’t work out, it was a bit of an emotional decision. Although I knew that Ramsey waits a long time before he decides where to shoot.”
Was it luck bad luck? Bad technique? Or a lack of preparation on Ramsey’s part, Trapp intimating that the Welshman took the fateful decision to go down the middle on a whim?
Whatever the reason, the result is that Rangers’ remarkable Europa League journey ends not glory but in despair and devastation. In tears, regrets and ‘what-might’ve-beens’.
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Will this group of players, will this club, even return to such a lofty stage?
With Connor Goldson, Allan McGregor, Steven Davies and Leon Balogun all out of contract – and with Alfredo Morelos, Ryan Kent and Joe Aribo entering the final 12 months of theirs – the phrase ‘last chance saloon’ comes to mind.
Fortunately, this weekend’s Scottish Cup final with Hearts provides Rangers with a stab at consolation.
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