Rangers will take on Eintracht Frankfurt in this season’s Europa League final at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Wednesday.
Tonight!
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side sealed a berth in the final after overcoming a 1-0 first leg deficit to beat RB Leipzig 3-1 at home.
Ahead of the big clash against the Bundesliga side, Rangers manager Van Bronckhorst has given an interview to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad. He detailed what it means to him to reach a European final in his first season with the Ibrox club.
“After a few months already the chance to win the Europa League, that feels very special,” he said.
“Shortly before the semi-final against RB Leipzig, our kit man Jimmy Bell died. Just suddenly. He became unwell and it was just over. 69 years.”
“That match with Leipzig, that’s where everything came together. The atmosphere in the stadium was unique, perhaps only comparable to the day we won the title with Feyenoord against Heracles in 2017. We couldn’t lose that game.”
Rangers have already overcome two German clubs, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig, in this season’s Europa League. A victory in Seville today is something Van Bronckhorst didn’t envisage when he replaced Steven Gerrard in November.
“It has been fifty years since Rangers won a European trophy. Thousands of supporters of the club will flock to Seville. Everyone is talking about this match, everyone wants to be there,” the Dutchman said.
“When I started here in November, I knew two things: no longer wearing green clothes [Celtic colours] and of course also that I would have to win trophies.
“But winning the Europa League in Seville did not immediately occur to me. If successful, these players will be heroes here forever. And on Saturday against Hearts, we can also win the Scottish FA Cup final. Everyone around us is enthusiastic, but we have to stay calm.”
Van Bronckhorst has set sights on winning two trophies with Rangers this season.
“They knocked Barcelona and West Ham United out of the competition, but we beat Red Star Belgrade, Borussia Dortmund, Sporting Braga and RB Leipzig. Not a crazy list, right? My team always keeps going, pushed by our supporters,” he added.
“Yes, that is a resemblance to Feyenoord. The fact that Feyenoord will also play the Conference League final after our finals against Eintracht Frankfurt and Hearts makes it all the more special. Although I have had no influence on Feyenoord’s performance, of course.
“I stay calm, talk to players and try to move the team forward. That’s how I work, and I will continue to do so. It has already brought me a lot. And hopefully two more prizes in the near future. The Europa League that would immediately give us a ticket to the Champions League. We all believe in it here.”
