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Kris Boyd urges Scottish football to back Rangers as he makes 'heroes' claim
Former Rangers striker Kris Boyd believes that the current crop of players will become Scottish football heroes if they are to do the unthinkable in the Europa League this month.
Boyd was part of the Rangers side that reached the UEFA Cup Final in 2008 as Walter Smith’s side were beaten 2-0 by Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester.
14 years on, the former talisman has urged his old side to become heroes and go one step further this time around.
As shared by the Scottish Sun, Boyd commented: “I was fortunate enough to be part of a Rangers team that made it through a semi — and if they get through, it will change a lot of those boys’ lives.
“You’ve been successful, you’ve won the league last year
and have the chance to win the Scottish Cup this time. But getting to a final in Europe is something that will never leave you.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get the job done against Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester. But, if this group gets through it gives them an opportunity to become heroes — not only for Rangers but Scottish football.”
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Upsetting the odds
It’s fair to say that Rangers have defied the odds in this season’s Europa League, and have turned their somewhat underwhelming Champions League Play-off exit into a very memorable European campaign.
Since that defeat to Malmo in August, Rangers have gone on to set Europa alight despite defeats in their first two group stage matches against Lyon and Sparta Prague.
A home victory against Brondby gave Rangers the belief to turn their campaign around and they followed that up with a point in Denmark before revenge at Ibrox against Sparta Prague and an impressive point in the return fixture at Lyon.
Many, including Rangers fans, felt it was a step too far when Borussia Dortmund came out of the hat, but an historic 4-2 win in Germany shook the competition as the Gers held on to their aggregate lead with a draw at Ibrox.
Impressive knockout victories against Red Star Belgrade and Braga followed, but it’s now another top German opponent that awaits Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s side on Thursday night as they take on RB Leipzig in a tough Semi-Final.
It’s been an incredible story for Rangers in Europe this season. Can they continue to defy expectations?
In other Rangers news, Gers star targets more silverware after personal triumph.