Rangers captain reveals armband story in touching tribute to Jimmy Bell

Rangers captain James Tavernier says he was left 'devastated' by kitman Jimmy Bell's death and that everybody at the club will do all they can to reach the Europa League final in his honour.

Bell, 69, from Wishaw, passed away in the early hours of Tuesday morning, which has prompted some touching tributes from Rangers stars past and present.

But Tavernier says the captain's armband is something that he will always associate with Bell, who was one of the first people he met at the club when he joined in 2015.

Taverner, 30, said: "Jimmy would make me wear the same armband if we had won, unless it got too dirty, we would come to an agreement! There are so many small details with Jimmy, before every game he would put my captain's armband on.

"I will do everything in my power to make him proud.

"It is obviously a devastating time for the club and everyone that knew Jimmy. It was really difficult to take.

"I loved Jimmy to bits, he was one of the first people I met at the club. I asked him for the number two and he gave me stick for asking him."

Rangers face a massive clash at Ibrox tomorrow in their semi-final second leg, with a 1-0 deficit to overcome from the first leg against RB Leipzig in Germany.

But Tavernier says everybody is determined to reach the showpiece clash in Bell's memory.

Tavernier said: "I know Jimmy wouldn't want the fuss, he would want us to roll our socks up and get stuck in.

"Everyone will be ready to go from the first whistle. To do it for the club, for the fans and for Jimmy.

"It personally means a lot to me in a European semi-final, it has been some journey.

"We have always wanted to improve every year from the board to the players. It would be an unbelievable achievement if we could reach the final.