James Tavernier aims to join elite Celtic, Rangers and Aberdeen club captains after reaching Europa League final

Rangers captain James Tavernier has dedicated the Europa League semi-final triumph over RB Leipzig to the Ibrox club’s long-serving kitman Jimmy Bell and legendary former manager Walter Smith.

Bell, a much-loved figure among the Rangers players and backroom staff, died suddenly on Tuesday to cast a pall over the build-up to Thursday night’s momentous fixture.

Tavernier scored the first goal as Rangers beat Leipzig 3-1, clinching a 3-2 aggregate victory and a place in the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville on May 18.

It will be Rangers’ fifth appearance in a European final and their first since Smith, who passed away last October, guided them to the UEFA Cup final in Manchester in 2008.

“First and foremost we wanted to do it for Jimmy, and I’m super proud of the effort all the lads put in and all the staff and all the fans,” said an emotional Tavernier.

“He will be looking down proud - so will Walter on all of us - it’s for them. I’m absolutely delighted.

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“We are through to the final. Unbelievable. It was a tough test but an unbelievable feeling to be in a European final - it’s what