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

Scott Arfield hopes the Europa League stars align for Rangers as he remembers Ibrox greats and former Falkirk friends

Rangers' Scott Arfield (left) and Calvin Bassey celebrates victory after the final whistle in the UEFA Europa League semi-final, second leg match at Ibrox Stadium

SCOTT ARFIELD reckons it could be written in the stars for Rangers to be crowned Europa League champions this term.

The midfielder will line up in Seville on Wednesday night with his sights set on the silverware and a place amongst legendary figures of yesteryear at Ibrox within his grasp.

Rangers will pay tribute to the Barcelona Bears on the 50th anniversary of their European Cup Winners' Cup triumph later this month.

And victory over Eintracht Frankfurt would be the perfect end to a campaign that saw the club host a series of events to mark 150 years since its formation in Glasgow.

It has been a difficult season for Rangers off the park following the deaths of legendary boss Walter Smith and kit man Jimmy Bill.

Both have been prevalent in the minds of supporters in recent days and Arfield will also think of former Falkirk team-mates Chris Mitchell and Craig Gowans in the build-up to the biggest night of his career in Seville.

“I am not superstitious at all," Arfield said. "I used to be when I was younger.

"But I think there is something in fate or whatever people want to call it. Obviously it’s the 50th anniversary and the 150th year of the club and two icons of the club have passed this season.

"Hopefully at 11 o’clock on Wednesday night it will all come to fruition and we will be talking about these things happening. There might be something in that.

"If you believe it then that’s half the battle. On the night I hope to believe it a wee bit more.

“Probably people who are no longer with us [will be in my thoughts]. My best mate Mitch, from when we started in 2007.

"Craig Gowans and his family, these people who were in my journey when it started. And then obviously Rangers people.

"When I signed at this football club for four years I knew what it meant to people and they are all there, everybody that is important to me is going to be in Seville and I’ll be doing it for them.”

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