Rangers captain James Tavernier has been over the course in the Europa League before.
But things are certainly a bit different for the Ibrox defender in 2025 than they were back in 2022.
James Tavernier finished the Europa League top scorer (7) in the run to Seville but this season the Rangers skipper has taken on a different role.
Starting in a back-three in the clashes with Fenerbache, Tavernier eventually wound up back at right-at Ibrox back as Rangers dumped the Turkish side on penalties.
But in doing so the 33-year-old got semblance of revenge on an old rival who helped to inflict the biggest heartbreak of the Ibrox captain’s career in Spain.
James Tavernier’s Europa League Final heartbreak
James Tavernier led Rangers out against Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022 Europa League Final but it wasn’t to be in Seville.
Rangers took the lead in the match through Joe Aribo and for 12 minutes were in dreamland before Rafael Santos Borre equalised and forced the game to penalties.
There were big moments before the spot-kicks – not least Kevin Trapp’s goal-line save from Ryan Kent – but the heartbreak was complete when Aaron Ramsey missed from 12 yards.
James Tavernier, conversely, netted his penalty whilst so did one Filip Kostic, Eintracht Frankfurt’s left-back on the day and the Rangers captain’s direct positional rival.
The energetic Serbian is one of the best in the business at left wing-back and was a crucial part of that Frankfurt team who conquered the Europa League.
But after Rangers overcame Fenerbahce to reach the Europa League Quarter Final, Tavernier earned a semblance of revenge.
Rangers revenge as James Tavernier overcomes Filip Kostic
That’s because Filip Kostic is now at Fenerbahce and played every minute of the two-legged tie with Rangers.
Kostic, 32, is on a season-long loan with Fenerbahce from Serie A giants Juventus, having moved to Juventus after helping Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022.
But whilst the left-footed sharpshooter found the back of the net against Rangers in Seville, Kostic never took one of the spot-kicks at Ibrox.
Whilst Edin Dzeko and Alexander Djiku would score their penalties, Dusan Tadic and Fred had their penalties saved by the heroic Jack Butland before Mert Hakan Yandas skied the decisive effort.
Rangers had got their noses in front thanks James Tavernier and Vaclav Cerny before Ianis Hagi’s missed penalties threatened to prove an Istanbul headline writer’s dream.
Tom Lawrence kept the Gers in front with delirious scenes come full-time as Rangers set up a Europa League Quarter Final against Athletic Bilbao.
