Rangers in the Europa League final: Penny for the thoughts of Steven Gerrard and Jon Dahl Tomasson

Remember Jon Dahl Tomasson? The Malmo manager discovered how easy it is to become a meme when he smirked and winked towards camera during a pre-match press conference before the second leg of a Champions League third qualifying tie against Rangers in August.

Discussion had turned to which side was operating under greater pressure following Malmo’s 2-1 win in the first leg in Sweden. Tomasson reckoned it was Rangers, unsurprisingly.

He tugged at the sleeve of his tracksuit top and employed what can only be described as some top-notch shithousery. “Don’t you think that they need the Champions League money, yeah? I think so,” he said. “I think they need that. I think that’s a good answer, isn’t it?”

He grinned, he smirked. There was a glint in his eye, there was even a wink. He was clearly enjoying himself. Tomasson then tried something rarely attempted when it comes to interactions with the Scottish media. He chose flattery. Asked if he wished to expand on his answer, he scanned the room and said: “I think you are all clever lads, so you understand it…yeah.”

Rangers duly went out and played as if there was a bailiff knocking on the Ibrox front door again. Ten-man Malmo scored twice in the second half to dump the hosts out of the Champions League.

It was a display of mindgames par excellence from the former AC Milan striker, whose team went on to qualify for the Champions League group stage before then finishing bottom of their group after losing five games. They haven’t played a European game since December. Meantime, it’s May and Rangers are still going strong and have a Europa League final to look forward to a week on Wednesday. Malmo have completed a Champions League group stage, enjoyed a close and pre-season and begun