The Blue Sea of Ibrox echoed round Govan late on Thursday night and Rangers fans were still riding the crest of a European wave on the Hotline a day later.
Another pulsating night under the lights added RB Leipzig to a list of Europa League conquests including Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade and Braga and has Bluenoses ready to party in Seville.
The Europa League Final awaits in just 11 days’ time and all and sundry who had written off Rangers - including Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus who dubbed them ‘third-rate’ after Dortmund’s scalp was taken - were made to eat their words.
Irwin Houston, Giffnock, said: “Congratulations to Rangers on a magnificent performance. Gio van Bronckhorst and the players should be proud as we outclassed the Germans. Now on to Seville and let’s take a third Bundesliga scalp. Simply the Best.”
Hotline regular John Bruce emailed: “In these days of £100m players and £300m teams, for Rangers to reach the final of a European tournament with a team that cost less than £20m to build is a momentous achievement. This makes them not only far and away the best team in Scotland but Rangers are now a credible European side, as finalists in one of the three European tournaments. Rangers took their eye off the league to get to Seville. Hopefully our book, DVD and play all have a happy ending.”
Stuart McLeod, Stepps, said: “Many regular callers doubted the bottle of this Rangers team. Covid champs can't play in front of an expectant crowd they said. This team has delivered a European final to its fans against all odds. A remarkable achievement and even more so when winning the semi final without a recognised number nine. Thank you Rangers, what a journey.”
Drew Ferguson, Oban, beamed: “Can I please please ask the great intellectual football expert Lothar Matthaus to please write Rangers off as third-rate team against the mighty Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final.”
John Stewart, Newton Mearns, said: “Watching Rangers it amazes me that James Tavernier did not win either player of the year trophies. Has there ever been a full back with as good stats? Rangers - team of the year. Tav - player of the year. Gio - manager of the year.”
And Jimmy Neil, Glasgow, agreed saying: “Gio took some time to settle in and suss out his players, but now he has proved what a master tactician he is, and we will now get better and better.”
And Joe Graham, Garrowhill, said: “Rangers have taken the coefficient through the roof again for Scotland. This was a magnificent display by every Ranger on the park who gave it all. It was inspired a lot by the tremendous support who roared them on and also the memory of Jimmy Bell.”
Meanwhile, Gary Stevenson, Newtonhill, took aim at Celtic fans for their beach ball antics in last week’s Old Firm, saying: “Please can I ask the Celtic supporters for some of their beach balls. I think that we will be needing them. Not bad for a club who couldn't even get a player shortlisted for the player of the year.”
George Wilson, West Sussex, added: “Just a reminder to the Celtic fans who said Dortmund would put four past us, then Red Star and Leipzig would do the same and said that Rangers had no chance of winning the Europa League. Well we have got a wee chance now. And having gifted the league to Celtic we have now stolen their thunder with this epic and remarkable result and have put their impending league success completely in the shade.”
Finally Gordon Ferguson, Kilwinning, reckons the latest chapter in Rangers journey back to the top was a fitting tribute to Walter Smith and Jimmy Bell. He said: “From the depths of the third division, Rangers rose like a phoenix and against the might of Europe the club flew the flag in Europe for Scotland. Take a bow Rangers you were truly magnificent and what a tribute to our recent lost legends.”
