'Do it for Jimmy Bell!' Rangers legends Ferguson and De Boer urge squad to deliver ultimate tribute in Europa League

Rangers' devastated stars were last night urged to pay Jimmy Bell the ultimate tribute by battling past Leipzig to set up a Seville send-off for the legendary kitman.

The Ibrox squad were left reeling by the shock news that Bell - a club servant for more than three decades - had died suddenly aged 69.

Boss Gio van Bronckhorst and skipper James Tavernier were among the current crop leading the heartfelt tributes, with their thoughts echoed by a host of former big names whose Ibrox links span back to Graeme Souness’ reign.

However, former captain Barry Ferguson and Dutch icon Ronald de Boer have both told Record Sport that the best way for Van Bronckhorst’s team to honour their late friend would be to finish off Thursday night's semi-final tie with Leipzig and book a Europa League date with destiny on May 18.

Speaking ahead of the Ibrox second leg, which Gers enter trailing 1-0 from last week’s loss in Germany, De Boer hailed Bell as the ‘world’s greatest kitman”.

“It’s unbelievable that he has passed away so suddenly,” added the former Ajax and Barcelona great, who spent four years in Glasgow. “No one saw this coming.

“I spoke to Dave Vos, Gio’s assistant, who said he was with the team on Sunday at the Old Firm game but then suddenly he had a problem with his throat and then things went very quickly.

“You can’t take in that he’s not there any more.

“It’s a very sad moment.

“Everyone had a special relationship with Jimmy because he was a great character.

“He was the heart of the club and it’s terrible to learn he’s died.

“Thursday is a huge game for the club against Leipzig and it will be hard for everyone at the club when they see he’s not there in the dugout.

“Hopefully the team can do the magic for him.

“Do it