Rangers show power of unity and have nothing to fear in Europa League final

A post-match episode in mutual appreciation as stragglers made their way along Paisley Road West shortly before 11.30pm on Thursday. RB Leipzig fan: “Great stadium.” Rangers fan: “We were the underdogs.” Leipzig fan: “Underdogs? This is Glasgow Rangers.” Laughs, handshakes and both went on their merry way.

Anyone with an interest in football’s soul – certainly in Germany - may find it appropriate that Rangers progressed to the Europa League final at the expense of the sporting wing of an energy drinks empire. Red Bull and its wings cannot upstage Ibrox when it sings. Those who visited as part of the Leipzig contingent did appear struck by the atmosphere, which was far more intense than a week earlier at the RB Arena.

What the late-night exchange further illustrated was a sense that Rangers are still regarded as serious operators in Europe. Although various matters, mostly with a foundation in history, back up that point it remains incredible that Giovanni van Bronckhorst will lead his team into a final in Seville. That much is entirely to Rangers’ credit. They absolutely deserve to be there. Teams who failed even to reach the last four include Barcelona and Napoli. English sniffiness about the Scottish football scene should quieten for the moment given West Ham and Leicester were toiling on the very evening Rangers sent Ibrox into raptures.

The scale of Rangers’ achievement is emphasised when their personnel are assessed. The right-back James Tavernier is the Europa League’s top scorer. The goalkeeper Allan McGregor is 40. Alfredo Morelos, Van Bronckhorst’s main striker, missed both legs of the semi-final. So, too, did his backup Kemar Roofe. It is hardly being disrespectful to Scott Wright, Ryan Jack, Joe Aribo, Fashion