CONNOR GOLDSON is confident Rangers can repeat their Europa League heroics this term after bowing out at the last 16 stage on Thursday.
The Light Blues lost 1-0 in Germany as Bayer Leverkusen progressed to a quarter-final meeting with Inter Milan next week.
Steven Gerrard’s side overcame four qualifiers to reach the group stage and then produced a remarkable comeback against Braga to set up their clash with the Bundesliga giants.
And Goldson is determined to replicate that achievement in the coming months as the Gers regroup for their third crack at continental competition.
He said: “It was tough. They are a good side, no doubt about it. I think everything we tried to do against a lot of the other teams in Europe this season, they found it quite easy to play round it.
“In the first half, I don’t think we were aggressive enough or let them feel us at all. It was too easy for them. We had a bit more of a go in the second half but I think their quality showed in the end.
“I am proud of everyone. The places we have been, the quality and commitment we have shown over last season, it was brilliant and I think all the lads deserve all the praise that comes with it.
“Tonight was just a little step too far for us but I think everything we have done and the places we have been and the results we have got this year in the Europa League have been brilliant.
“Obviously we are going to have to go through the qualifying again and start from scratch and it is the start of another long season.
“But we want to play in venues like this, we want to test ourselves and play against some of the world’s best players, international players. I feel like we acquitted ourselves well last year and hopefully we can do the same this year.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here