Jablonec hero says Rangers were beaten by ‘willpower’ and ‘hearts’ in historic win

Jan Chramosta admitted he already knew he would score the decisive penalty before stepping up to send Rangers crashing out of Europe.

The Jablonec forward became the unlikely hero at Strelnice as his successful spot-kick completed a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Derek McInnes's side, securing the Czech side's place in the Conference League’s league phase.

Chramosta's comments after the game offered an insight into the confidence that Jablonec carried into the decisive moments, and his belief that Rangers had underestimated the challenge facing them.

“I don't want to say it in a bad way, but I knew I would decide it. I think that if you asked the players in the dressing room which player would decide it today, I dare say that 99 percent of them would say me,” he said post-match.

“When I went for that penalty, I knew that now was the moment when I could confirm it and show that I am simply a scorer and that I was born for these situations.”

Chramosta's confidence was such that he had already decided where he wanted to feature in the penalty order. Jablonec manager Lubos Kozel had initially wanted his experienced forward to take the first penalty, but Chramosta had other ideas.

“He wanted me to go first, and I say, ‘No, coach, I'm going fifth.’ Then he came five minutes later: ‘You have to go fourth, because then you might not kick anymore,’” he explained.

“I say, ‘Coach, I'll decide.’ And it worked. It's wonderful.”

Chramosta insists Rangers underestimated Jablonec

The forward was particularly animated when reflecting on the scale of Jablonec's achievement, pointing to the financial gulf between the two clubs and suggesting Rangers arrived expecting to leave with little difficulty.

Jablonec had navigated six European matches to reach the league phase, with Rangers ultimately becoming the final obstacle.

“We played six matches in Europe and today we finished it by beating the famous Rangers. They have one player who is more expensive than our entire team,” he revealed.

“They thought they would come here, blow us away and fly back to Scotland. And we simply showed them that we are fighters and we managed it.

“No one could have expected this and we simply fought it off with willpower, with our hearts, worked hard and now we are deservedly in the group! We are euphoric.”

For Rangers, the comments underline the scale of the disappointment. Having travelled to Czechia needing to finish the job and reach the European league phase, they instead found themselves eliminated by a side that Chramosta believes fully earned its reward.

'I'm made for these situations'

Chramosta also rejected the suggestion that he was overwhelmed by the pressure of taking such a decisive penalty.

Instead, he believes these are precisely the moments in which he thrives.

“Yes, when I was young, I had them. But over time, I tend to seek out these situations,” he explained.

“I just feel that when it comes to a decisive goal in training, I know that I have to score that goal. I'm just really made for these situations. And luckily, I'm doing well.

“Like if I convert it into money, then definitely. This one will probably earn the most out of all the ones I gave.”

While the immediate focus was naturally on the penalty, Chramosta was keen to stress that Rangers were not beaten by one player alone.

He highlighted the contribution of goalkeeper Jan Hanus, who he joked had effectively set him up for the decisive moment, as well as the players who had battled through the entire match.

“I would highlight our team. Everyone has a role in it. Hany made a great save and we also thought that he simply prepared the penalty for me. So it was up to me to convert it.

“And then the other guys who played the whole match. For example, what Vakho did and his goal that got us to those penalties. I could talk about each player separately and it is simply a huge team success.”

That collective effort is what makes the result particularly damaging from Rangers' perspective.

Jablonec did not simply survive the tie and sneak through a shootout. Their players believe they matched and arguably bettered Rangers physically and mentally before holding their nerve when the tie ultimately came down to penalties.

And Chramosta had no doubt who would take responsibility when that moment arrived.

“I'm just really made for these situations,” he noted.