Rangers’ 2022 Europa League Final Squad: Where Are They Now?
Rangers reaching the Europa League final in the 2021/22 season was a huge achievement. It had been 17 years since a Scottish club had reached a UEFA Final when Rangers fell to defeat against Zenit St. Petersburg in the 2007/08 campaign. That night in Seville marked the end point of a journey Rangers had embarked on over the last 17 years, dropping down to the fourth tier and climbing all the way back up to the top of the European game.
Although it has not even been three years since the final, only one member of the starting lineup that night still plays for the club, and many bench players have moved on too. The Rangers side of today is different to the one that reached the Europa League Final and won the Scottish Premiership in 2020/21. After their success in Europe, where have these players moved on to?
McGregor was 40 years old when he lined up against Frankfurt and by doing so became one of the oldest players to play in a UEFA Final. The goalkeeper had started his career at the same club 20 years beforehand but left after liquidation in 2012. Upon his return he was once again a first team keeper and holds the Rangers record for the players with the most appearances in UEFA competition. He retired in 2023 and is now a goalkeeper coach at Rangers.
The only player on this list still lining up for the Glaswegian club, Tavernier is now in his 10th season at the club. A born and bred Englishman, the fullback has found a home at the Ibrox and has become a club legend. He has been club captain for six seasons and was captain on the night of the final. In remarkable timing, Tavernier made his 500th appearance for Rangers last weekend, scoring over 100 goals, and should go on to enjoy the latter stages of his career in Glasgow.
©️ @James_Tavernier | 500 Appearances for Rangers 💙 pic.twitter.com/mSYOUwetCi
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) March 1, 2025
Connor Goldson had a few extraordinary seasons at the centre of Rangers' defence. Another Englishman who made over 200 appearances for the club over six years, before finally leaving last summer with his destination set to Cyprus. Aged 32 at the time the choice to take a step down to the Cypriot First Division made sense, especially with Aris Limassol having a few appearances in European competition in recent years.
Unlike the previous names on this list, Bassey was a youngster in this final aged 22 and was tipped to go on to achieve big things post-Rangers, which is what he has done. The Nigerian international spent a season at Ajax before signing for Premier League Fulham. Bassey took the risk to leave Leicester City’s academy for first team football at Rangers, but that risk paid off as he is now a mainstay in Nigeria and Fulham’s defence.
Barisic hadn’t played outside of Croatia before moving to Rangers in 2018, but the fullback enjoyed six seasons in Glasgow before finally moving on to Turkey last summer. In Northern Turkey he couldn’t overcome Eren Elmalı for a starting XI spot and was subsequently loaned out to La Liga. His move to Leganes is ironically the first time he has played in a top five league aged 32. Notably, Barisic was also part of Croatia’s 2022 World Cup squad that finished 3rd.
Another player who left last summer, Jack spent 14 seasons playing in the SPFL, seven for Aberdeen and Rangers respectively. Last summer he decided to move abroad for the first time, heading to the Turkish second tier to sign for Istanbul club Esenler Erokspor, who are currently mid table in the TFF First League. He is a first team regular in Turkey and made two international appearances for Scotland in 2024.
Lundstram scored the goal that sent Rangers to the 2022 final, spectacularly overcoming RB Leipzig. The midfielder left Sheffield United - where he had a successful spell in the Premier League - for Rangers in 2021 and in his first season helped his team reach the last stage of the European competition. He joined Barisic in Trabzon last summer, with his spell in the Super Lig going better than his counterparts as a regular first team starter. Whilst his time in the UK is over, he will always be remembered for that late winner at the Ibrox.
Step up, John Lundstram! 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 5, 2022
He's starred for months, but that might just be his biggest moment in a Rangers jersey.
Listen to that sound! Ibrox erupts!#UEL pic.twitter.com/Nq3CJZTCid
Another Scottsman who spent the majority of his career at Aberdeen and Rangers, Wright crossed the border last summer to join their League One super team. Whilst not a regular starter for the Blues, Wright has played a role in Birmingham this summer and will look forward to a season in the Championship next year.
The only free agent on this list, Kent’s contract with the Turkish giants was cut short in October 2024 after the winger’s time at Fenerbahce ultimately was a flop. Kent played a huge part in Rangers’ run to the final and is still only 28. It is assumed that he will find a new club soon, but where that will be is unknown.
Finnish international Kamara left Rangers in 2023 and has since spent a season at Leeds in the Championship, half a season at French top flight club Rennes before securing a loan move to Saudi side Al Shabab on January 2025 deadline day. The Arsenal youth academy graduate caught a lot of attention at Rangers and can hopefully resurrect his career in France next season. Kamara was another of the players to score in that game against Leipzig, along with Tavernier.
The final player selected in the starting eleven on the night, as well as the only one to score against Frankfurt. Normally a midfielder, Aribo was called up to lead the line, and it was the correct decision as he scored the game opener. Frankfurt unfortunately equalised not soon after and then went on to win the game via penalties. The Nigerian international was 25 at the time of the final and moved on to Premier League Southampton the summer after. He has played a big part in all three of his seasons on the South Coast, however, he unfortunately has been at the club during two of their worst seasons in Premier League history.
ARIBO IS IN, AND HE SCORES! ⚽️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 18, 2022
Rangers lead in the Europa League final and the travelling Glaswegians go wild! 🔥
Lift-off for Gio's men!#UELfinal pic.twitter.com/wdDdTMSAI8
The most notable current name on this list was the only one who didn’t make it onto the pitch. He spent the second half of the 2021/22 season on loan at Rangers and scored on his debut. His loan move to Sunderland was where his true talent was shown, and this season he has seen a massive improvement as one of Manchester United’s most prolific players.
Unfortunately for the Welsh legend, Ramsey had a night to forget in Seville. Rangers lost the penalty shootout 5-4, with Ramsey the only player who failed to convert. His shot was saved by Kevin Trapp and just like that Rangers’ dreams were over. Ramsey was on loan from Juventus at the time and was subbed on in the 117th minute just to take the penalty. He has since been at Nice and now his childhood club Cardiff City in the Championship.
Other players who came off the bench that night included James Sands, a USA international who is currently on loan at St. Pauli in the Bundesliga. Scott Arfield, who spent five years at Rangers and is now at his childhood club Falkirk in the Scottish Championship. And finally Kemar Roofe, who was also brought on to take a penalty, which he successfully converted, Roofe is now at Derby County as of 2025.
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