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Daily Record
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Daniel Caw

The combined Rangers Europa League Final XI as 2008 and 2022 heroes compared

Rangers are gearing up for one of the most important nights of their long and illustrious history as Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men prepare to do battle for this season's Europa League trophy.

It’s the club’s second final in European competition in 15 years, an incredible feat at any point but especially so given what happened in the intervening period.

Back in 2008, the side of legendary manager Walter Smith defied the odds to reach the showpiece in Manchester, where they just fell short to Zenit St Petersburg.

One thing is for sure, no matter what happens in Seville next week, these players will be remembered for generations to come just like the men of Manchester.

But how do the current crop of Rangers stars compare with Smith’s heroes?

So here Record Sport takes on the unenviable task of selecting a combined XI.

Trust us, it wasn’t easy...

GOALKEEPER: Allan McGregor

The 40-year-old shot-stopper has been inspired form during this season's Europa League run, with outstanding displays against Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade.

McGregor also passed 100 European appearances for Rangers this season, and given he missed out on the 2008 Final due to injury, it's only fair he takes his place between the sticks in our combined XI.

Neil Alexander proved a more than able deputy for McGregor 14 years ago but he has to miss out this time.

RIGHT-BACK: James Tavernier

He might be a right-back by trade but Tavernier has been one of Rangers' most potent attackers in Europe this season, with crucial goals against the likes of Braga, Dortmund and RB Leipzig and is the outright top-scorer (seven goals) in the entire competition going into the final.

The 30-year-old sees off competition from Kirk Broadfoot for the right-back slot.

CENTRE-BACK: Carlos Cuellar

The imposing Spaniard played a crucial role in the 2008 side keeping such a tight defence, with his ice-cool displays against the likes of Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina earning him admiring glances from across the continent. A must-have at centre-back.

He just pips the current Ibrox idol of Connor Goldson given Cuellar went on to become a regular in the English Premier LEague with Aston Villa.

CENTRE-BACK: David Weir

We simply couldn't leave Weir out, with his wealth of experience and knowhow a valuable asset to any side.

Weir turned out in the 2008 final just four days after his 38th birthday but his solid displays were absolutely crucial to Walter Smith's side – and he and Cuellar made a pretty intimidating partnership.

Again, the modern colossus of Calvin Bassey is just edged out despite becoming an increasingly formidable opponent over the past six months.

LEFT-BACK: Sasa Papac

The ex-Bosnia international was sometimes seen as a square peg in a round hole in the left-back slot, but he grew into a cult hero for the Rangers faithful.

His reliability just edges ahead of the likes of Borna Barisic and Bassey in our team. Barisic has returned to form of late but he endured a particularly horrible period just after the winter break.

MIDFIELDER: Steve Davis

The silky and composed midfielder has played his part in both European runs, albeit in a more slightly understated manner throughout this season's tilt, but he more than deserves his place in our combined XI.

He, like McGregor, was also part of the 2008 generation and has straddled across both periods with distinction.

MIDFIELDER: John Lundstram

A few months ago you could've been forgiven for wondering if Lundstram had much of a future at Ibrox, but sensational displays against the likes of Dortmund and Braga – as well as the crucial semi-final clinching goal against Leipzig – has transformed the Liverpudlian into a genuine Rangers hero. Heck, even Belinda Carlisle is said to be a fan.

MIDFIELDER: Barry Ferguson

Our side needs a captain, and who better than Ferguson?

Ferguson helped orchestrate the 2008 side's incredible run with his deep-lying midfield role and he's one of the first names on our combined team-sheet. He just oozed class.

LEFT-WING: Ryan Kent

Like Lundstram, Kent has been one of Rangers' best players this season but especially so in Europe.

He has tormented several high-profile sides throughout this European run with his tricky inverted runs from the left-flank.

Kent also ensured Rangers' passage into the quarter-final of the competition with his goal against Red Star Belgrade and then again eased the nerves with a pinpoint assist for Tavernier’s opener in the semi-final second leg. He simply needs to be included.

STRIKER: Alfredo Morelos

The Colombian striker has been a thorn in the side of defences all over the continent this season, and his absence with a thigh injury in the semi-finals was sorely felt by Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players. Well, up to a point.

Had the 25-year-old been available against RB Leipzig, we're willing to bet Rangers' passage to the Final would've been a whole lot smoother.

RIGHT-WING: Joe Aribo

The skilful Nigerian international has excelled since joining from Charlton in the summer of 2019, and is now without question one of the first names on the Gers team-sheet.

Along with his exceptional control, Aribo has put in some lung-bursting displays to help his side get over the line this season, and has turned out 16 times in this season's Europa League.

Honourable mentions

We can't include everyone, but there are several players who deserve a special mention despite failing to make the cut.

Brahim Hemdani

The sitting midfielder was a European specialist and has no problem performing the water-carrier role in the centre of the park.

Steven Whittaker

The 2008 side's tireless workrate and never-say-die attitude was embodied by Whittaker, who also produced an absolute screamer of a goal in the quarter-finals against Sporting Lisbon.

Calvin Bassey

This season's Europa League run has been the making of Bassey, who has developed into a crucial Gers player round-by-round with his powerful and unstoppable runs from left-back, as well as showing a cool head with stints at centre-back.

What do you make of our selection? Have we made any glaring mistakes or omissions?

Let us know in the comments section below!

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