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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Christopher Jack

Barca Bear issues Europa League rallying call to Rangers stars that stand on the brink of legend status at Ibrox

Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst (right) and goalkeeper Allan McGregor celebrates victory over Leipzig

THE names can be rhymed off with metronomic ease and the scorers are idolised in song. Half a century on, the Barcelona Bears remain the most revered side in Rangers' history.

That same opportunity now awaits Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players. The heroes of 55 can become the legends of the Europa League in Seville.

There has been a sense that Rangers' second European triumph may be fate this season and there are reasons - such as the respective semi-final victories over German opposition and the return to Spain - that lead some to believe it is written in the stars in the 50th anniversary of the win against Dynamo Moscow.

A Scottish Cup final meeting with Hearts will follow when Rangers return to Glasgow next week and time will tell whether they do so having packed the silverware in their suitcases after overcoming Eintracht Frankfurt to rewrite the record books.

The night that Colin Stein scored one and Willie Johnston two remains the most significant in the Rangers story. And Derek Johnstone knows exactly what adoration will follow should Van Bronckhorst's side follow in illustrious footsteps next week.

"It would be a remarkable achievement to win the Europa League and then the Scottish Cup," Johnstone said. "But it doesn’t make them the better side when it is just over one season.

"In the 70s, we won two Trebles, won League Cups and Scottish Cups and league championships. This side has still to do it over a period of time, but they have an unbelievable opportunity ahead of them.

"We won it in Barcelona 50 years ago and they are still talking about it now, we are regarded as legends because we are the only Rangers team to win a European trophy. They can join that.

"Some might only be here a season or a couple of seasons, but they will be remembered forever. The team that started in Barcelona finished it and we never used any subs.

"It will be different this time. But every player can make themselves immortal and to be only the second Rangers side to win a European trophy will never be forgotten by the fans.

"In years to come, everyone will be able to rhyme off that team if they win it. They will be immortal.

"That is what they have got to be thinking, this one 90 minutes can make them legends. This is not an ordinary game, this is their chance to leave a legacy."

The debate over which achievement is greater or what side is better is largely irrelevant and eras and players cannot be compared more than five decades on. What is undoubted, though, is just what Europa League success would mean to the support.

Van Bronckhorst's side have the chance to clinch a dream double as they set their sights on the silverware at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán and at Hampden and the ramifications of two triumphs would be profound for Rangers.

Johnstone said: "It is unique in the sense that Rangers are in the final of a European competition just days before the Scottish Cup final. It is not often that happens.

"The year we won the Cup Winners’ Cup, we never won anything else that season. It was a strange one.

"People have asked whether you would rather win the Premiership or the Europa League. Everyone would accept that it is a marathon to win the league and you play over 30 games, whereas a European trophy can be won in a few knockout ties.

"If you win the Europa, it takes you into the Champions League. So, as far as this season is concerned, I would go for winning a European trophy.

"What a chance we have got of doing that. Winning the trophy would be one thing, but the added benefits of getting into the Champions League and the money that comes with that, what an incentive that is going to Seville.

"The bottom line in cup finals, as we have seen in the European games, is attitude and being at it from the off. If Rangers can do that, they are more than capable of winning both finals."

The win over RB Leipzig that secured a shot at the silverware was accomplished against all the odds as Rangers overcame their injury issues to produce a thrilling comeback on an incredible Ibrox occasion.

Boss Van Bronckhorst has vowed to give Kemar Roofe every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the final and time will tell what part he will play against Frankfurt.

The visit of Ross County tonight and trip to Tynecastle on Saturday will round off the Premiership campaign. Rangers already have more than one eye on two trophies, though, and no unnecessary risks will be taken in terms of team selection.

"You don’t want to be going into it without a key defender or midfielder, either," Johnstone said when asked about the difficulties of approaching another two must-win matches without a proven striker. "But certainly if you are going to win games you score goals and not having a recognised striker would be an issue.

"Gio should look at a higher plateau and Manchester City. How often do they play with an out-and-out centre-forward? They have three men that switch about, that can play wide or get in the box and score goals.

"There is more responsibility now on the midfielders and the forward players to get in those scoring positions and provide the ammunition.

"It is pointless just throwing high balls into the box if you don’t have a big striker, so you have to play around the area, get in there and get the shots away.

"It has been a blow not having a striker like Alfredo Morelos, who scores goals for fun and can occupy defences on his own.

"If Roofe doesn’t make it, we are toiling again and you are looking for alternatives. But you just have to adjust and get on with it.

"Rangers have shown they can be quick starters, that they can get those early goals, and Gio will be demanding they come right out of the traps in both finals and they have every chance of winning two medals next week."

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