'Special Memories', 'Next stop Champions League': Rangers fans react to Europa League exit

Glen Kamara of Rangers looks dejected after the second goal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Rangers and Slavia Praha at Ibrox Stadium on March 18, 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Milligan - Pool/Getty Images)

Since then Rangers have gone undefeated through the SPFL Premiership campaign and reclaimed the crown after a decade.

While there was disappointment in losing to the Czech side , who capped off progression with a classy free kick from Romanian talisman Nicolae Stanciu, plenty of Rangers fans were looking back on the European campaign as a whole.

Kemar Roofe and Leon Balogun were both sent off for the home side with the score at 1-0 and tie in the balance but it was not to be for Steven Gerrard’s side, who will enter the Champions League next season as Scottish Premiership winners.

Slavia's Nicolae Stanciu makes it 2-0 with a free kick during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Rangers FC and Slavia Prague at Ibrox Stadium on March 18, 2021, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alan Harvey / SNS Group)

Steven Mckee: “Wasn’t to be but if we were offered the season we have had so far at the beginning of the season we’d have bitten your hand off. Go beat Celtic at the weekend and then go win the Scottish cup.”

@smithycrs921: “Very special memories and very special nights were made from this European run VERY SPECIAL.”

@glasgowsportsfa: “Thank you for another great European run. Next stop, Champions League.”

@Mike67rogers: “Nothing but praise for everyone connected with our Club, magnificent effort lads, great run in Europe again gave us some brilliant Thursdays, thank you. PS hope their goalie is ok.”

@sarckybas: “Gutted, but to get beat but at this stage is no shortfall. We did well to get here and although we could have won tonight their fouls were intended to disrupt us and ref should maybe had a word but they rotated the fouls to rattle us and it did.”

Callum Beattie: “What a run tho! Tough game tonight but looking forward to the champs league next season!”

@TrueBluesLoyal1: “Another good run in the competition by far over these two legs we haven’t showed what we were capable of. Hope that goalie is alright but two red cards tonight that’s not like us But we move on now and concentrate on Sunday.”

@petera1872: “Been a great run but let’s be honest they are no better than average and we were awful tonight. Red cards aside we never looked like scoring and if we have any hope of getting into the champions league we need better quality in key areas. Missed Jack big time in my opinion.”

@AngelusB4: “Fair play to Slavia, they had the tactics spot on all match and were hungrier for the result. Poor refereeing, Gerrard got it wrong and the players let themselves down. Hopefully this wakes them up for Sunday.”

@GavinWilson72: “It’s a kick in the balls that we’ve gone out to a team that we could’ve beaten if we showed up with our A game. Two sluggish performances against them. Can’t complain to be honest, if ye don’t have yer A game at this level ye get punished, simple. Win on Sunday and all will be forgotten.”

@Gaspodesm8: “Hard fought game tonight but the best team won. Roofe, although he was watching the ball all the way, did warrant a red card for the challenge. Congratulations to Slavia on winning the game. Safe journey home and good luck for the rest of the tournament.”

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