Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Brady & Daniel Caw

Deflated Rangers heroes arrive home following Europa League nightmare

Rangers' defeated "Sons of Seville" have arrived back home following their agonising loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on penalties in the Europa League final.

Dejected Gers boarded a plane from Seville earlier on Thursday after making a sharp exit from the Ramon Jiminez Pizjuan stadium in Seville on Wednesday night.

There was a somber mood inside Glasgow airport this afternoon as the team touched down following their heartbreaking defeat in the Spanish city.

And as thousands of fans also poured back into the country, many were still coming to terms with watching their heroes come so close to getting their hands on a European silverware for the first time in half a century.

Colin, a Gers supporter from Renfrew said at Glasgow airport this afternoon: “Absolutely gutted. I still can’t put it into words. I really thought we’d do it and bring the trophy home.

Cameron, from Cumbernauld, added: “I’m still so proud of the players, what a journey it’s been. I reckon we’ve put Scottish football back on the map and next season - whether it’s Champions League or Europa League - we’ll go again.

Another fan concluded: “I feel for Ramsey. I hope the fans rally round him.”

The palpable disappointment on the faces of Bears on Wednesday night, who had poured into Seville from across the world, was in marked contrast to the electric party atmosphere that has dominated the streets of the city since the start of the week.

Seville authorities estimate that 100,000 Rangers fans and 60,000 Eintracht Frankfurt followers descended on the Andalusian city, in south-western Spain, to see the match unfold.

Travelling fans are believed to have contributed around €60 million to the Sevillian economy after forking out hundreds or even thousands of pounds for flights, accomodation and local hospitality.

Rangers fans are mourning their team's failure to claim a European title (Daily Record)

Thousands of Rangers fans gathered at an official meeting point at Plaza Alameda de Hercules early on Wednesday.

They partied all day before walking two-and-a-half miles to the Ramon Jiminez Pizjuan Stadium to watch their beloved Light Blues play.

But the Ibrox club won’t have too long to kick their wounds, with another showpiece final just around the corner as Robbie Neilson’s Hearts lie in wait in Saturday’s Scottish Cup final at Hampden, where Rangers will attempt to get their hands on the famous trophy for the first time since 2009.

Keep up with the Daily Record's on-the-ground Seville coverage: follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook and subscribe to our daily newsletters here.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.