Rafael Borre broke Rangers’ hearts on Wednesday night – just a year since he could have moved to Ibrox on a free transfer.
Rangers headed to Seville daring to dream of Europa League final success against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Gers had enjoyed a dream run to the final, seeing off the likes of Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig.
Unfortunately, it was a case of one German challenge too far as Rangers lost to Frankfurt.
Joe Aribo gave Rangers the lead but Borre equalised before scoring the crucial penalty in the eventual shootout.
Aaron Ramsey was the only one to fail from the spot for Rangers as fine margins resulted in defeat for the Gers.
Rafael Borre broke Rangers’ hearts
The key man for Frankfurt proved to be striker Borre as he bagged the important equaliser after Aribo’s opener.
Finding space inside the Rangers box, Borre flicked home Filip Kostic’s cross from close-range to draw level.
Borre then fired the winning spot kick, sparking wild scenes of celebration from the travelling German fanbase.
Rangers are of course absolutely heartbroken to have come so close to winning, only to lose on penalties.
What will make this sting even more is that reports last summer suggested that Rangers were interested in signing Borre.
El Deportivo in Borre’s native Colombia suggested that Rangers wanted to sign Borre on a free transfer.
The striker was becoming a free agent with his River Plate contract expiring and Rangers seemingly fancied adding another Colombian striker after the success of Alfredo Morelos.
Borre ended up picking Eintracht Frankfurt as his big move and that has been justified after becoming their Europa League final hero.
Rangers didn’t have a striker on the pitch for most of the game and it’s reasonable to wonder how it could have been different if Borre had picked the Gers.
Rangers missed out there but it should only encourage them to move for another striker this summer in the hope of finding a difference-maker like Borre.
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