Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Mark Pirie

5 Rangers omens of Europa League Final spot as push for glory could be written in the stars

Excitement is reaching fever pitch at Ibrox as Rangers continue their surge towards the Europa League Final.

Seeing off Red Star Belgrade and Borussia Dortmund in the knockout rounds has underlined the Scottish champions European pedigree, and has fans wondering how far they can go.

There are plenty of heavy hitter left in the last eight including the likes of Barcelona, West Ham, Atalanta and RB Leipzig.

But it's Braga up next for Rangers, and that has set the wheels in motion for several good omens from previous historic European runs.

They won the whole thing in 1972, and got to the final in 2008. Where will this 2022 push end?

The Rangers players celebrate after reaching the Europa League quarter final (SNS Group)

Record Sport takes a look at the omens that could mean good things are on the horizon for Rangers.

50th anniversary of European Cup Winners Cup Final

It's one that will be on Rangers fans minds - but can they mark 50 years since their 1972 Cup Winners’ Cup triumph with a Europa League victory?

Rangers earned their first piece of major silverware with a win over Dynamo Moscow thanks to Willie Johnston's double and Colin Stein's strike in the 3-2 win.

Colin Stein celebrates after scoring against Dynamo Moscow (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

The full-time whistle sparked a massive pitch invasion from celebrating fans - which saw skipper John Greig receive the trophy in the dressing room.

What better tribute would there be to the Ibrox icons than adding more silverware?

The final takes place in Spain

Speaking of the Cup Winners’ Cup, Rangers crowning European triumph took place in Spain. And where is the Europa League Final being held this year? You guessed it.

The Camp Nou was the venue as 35,000 fans was the historic win over the Russian outfit.

Seville's Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium will stage the final of the Europa League showpiece this season.

Rangers fan will hope they are filling out the 40,000-seater stadium in May and watch history repeat itself.

Facing a Portuguese side in the quarter-final

Next up for Rangers it's Portuguese side Braga, and fans will quickly spot some eerie similarities emerging to Rangers run to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.

Back on the road to Manchester, it was Sporting CP who came out of the hat at the quarter-final stage to face Walter Smith's men.

Jean-Claude Darcheville and Steven Whittaker got the goals in Lisbon that secured a 2-0 aggregate win and a spot in the semi-final stage.

A similar result against Carlos Carvahal's men this time around would suit Gio van Bronckhorst.

Facing an Italian side or German side in the semi-final

While some fans may have been happy with the draw against Braga, their high hopes may have been dampened by the semi-final draw moments later.

Either Bundesliga heavyweights RB Leipzig or Serie A giants Atalanta lie in wait for Gio van Bronckhorst' s side in the Europa League semi-final.

It will no doubt be Rangers toughest test of their run so far, but could history be on their side against German and Italian opposition?

Nacho Novo scored the penalty which sent Rangers through (PA)

Back in 1972 Bayern Munich were put to the sword in the semi-final stage on route to Cup Winners’ Cup success with goals from Sandy Jardine and Derek Parlane.

In 2008, Fiorentina were seen off by a decisive Nacho Novo penalty in a nervy shoot-out.

Allan McGregor's key 2008 role

He's been on this kind of run before, so could the experience of Allan McGregor prove vital for the Europa League push?

Back in 2008 he was Rangers undisputed number one - and not much has changed since then.

He was a vital part of the side who reached the UEFA Cup Final - with Walter Smith singling him out for praise after his heroics in the clash with Werder Bremen.

An injury kept him out of the final, but could the 40-year-old right that wrong this season?

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.