Rangers' players can become 'national heroes'. claims former striker

Kris Boyd believes Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his Rangers players will merit acclaim from all of Scotland if they win the Europa League next month.

The Ibrox side face RB Leipzig in Germany on Thursday night in the first leg of their semi-final as they look to secure a place against either West Ham United or Eintracht Frankfurt in the final in Seville on May 18.

Boyd, a member of the last Scottish side to reach a European final when he appeared as a substitute for Rangers when they lost 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg in the 2008 UEFA Cup showpiece in Manchester, feels the current squad are on the cusp of a career-defining feat which should transcend customary domestic rivalries.

“I was fortunate enough to be part of a Rangers team that made it through the semi-final 14 years ago,” said Boyd.

“What I will say is it will change a lot of those boys’ lives. You’ve been successful, won the league the last year and have the chance of winning the Scottish Cup.

“But getting to a final in Europe is something that will never leave you.

“Unfortunately we weren’t able to get the job done in 2008. But hopefully if this group gets through, it gives them an opportunity in the final for them to become heroes.

“Not only for Rangers but for Scottish football. I don’t think anyone expected to see any Scottish team back in a semi-final, never mind a final.

“Listen, these boys are potentially two games away from becoming – you could say it – national heroes.

“I know the way people still regard us at Ibrox and we never even won it.

“When you see the fans on the road, they love their away trips. There is a special bond when you win trophies but there’s something different when it comes to Europe.

“I can only imagine what it would have been like