Michael Beale reveals his Rangers house party as he insists Ibrox side 'ready to fly' in the Champions League

Michael Beale got the balloons and bunting out as Rangers stormed their way to Seville. And he reckons Gio van Bronckhorst’ s side are ready to fly the flag again by making it a double delight for Scotland in the Champions League.

The former Ibrox No.2 threw a bash for his kids as the team he helped Steven Gerrard construct faced their Europa League date with destiny. In the end, Eintracht Frankfurt ended up being the party-poopers as they snatched immortality away from van Bronckhorst’s men with their shoot-out victory in southern Spain.

The mood may have fallen flat in the Beale household that night but the now departed Light Blues first-team coach is convinced spirits will be high at Ibrox as Rangers look to build on last year’s achievements.And he reckons they are primed to dance up a storm at home and abroad this season by first joining Celtic in the Champions League group stage before beating the Hoops to the Premiership crown.

Asked if he’d cast an envious eye as van Bronckhorst led out his old side in Seville, Beale, now in charge of QPR, said: “There was no jealously – I was just so proud. We even had a Rangers party in my house with my children.

“It was just real pride and pride for the players. They were fulfilling what I thought they could fulfil. They were so unlucky on the night but maybe that’s in line with Scottish teams in Europe in general, so close but yet so far away. It was one kick of a ball.

“I was so proud. I followed the journey. Gio did a great job and it’s his team now, he can be proud of the achievement of getting to the final and getting so close. Now they have to take that frustration into this season and put it into their domestic campaign.

“Ange has done a fantastic job and is such a