Willie Mathieson shares Europa League final view ahead of Rangers v Frankfurt
Former great Rangers left-back, Willie Mathieson, has said that it will be a “fairy tale” if the Gers can win the Europa League final in Sevilla against Frankfurt on 18 May.
It was 50 years ago, when Rangers lifted their only European trophy in May 1972 when they defeated Dynamo Moscow at the Camp Nou.
Mathieson was a part of the team that lifted their trophy. He played in all nine games for the Gers in that competition.
“For Rangers to win the Europa League now – 50 years on from our success and in the club’s 150th year – would be a fairy tale,” said Mathieson on Daily Mirror (15 May, page 69).
“Willie Waddell, the manager, said to us, ‘Do it for the fans’, and I’m sure Giovanni van Bronckhorst will have a similar message on Wednesday night because the support will be incredible.”
Buzzing
You have to pinch yourself to believe that Rangers are actually in the finals of the Europa League.
The rebuilding work that was done by Steven Gerrard was carried forward by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, and he has taken the team to a new height.
Losing the Scottish Premiership title to Celtic was a blow, but it will be a massive achievement for the club and Scottish football if Rangers can win this tournament.
The Gers have some incredible football throughout the competition and knocked out teams like Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig.
They now face another German side that defeated West Ham in the previous round. But Rangers have shown they can beat anybody on their day.
It will be interesting to see if Kemar Roofe will be fit for this game, as he has been carrying an injury for a while. Ryan Jack, however, is expected to return.
In other Rangers news, the Gers have made an approach to sign this “outstanding” attacker after a 14-goal season.