Giovanni van Bronckhorst hopes to buck history when Rangers face Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final. He aims to become just the second manager to win a European trophy at the club.
The Dutchman will lead the Scottish Premier League giants in Seville next Wednesday against their Bundesliga rivals as the famous Glasgow club bid for only a second continental trophy.
Rangers were beaten by Zenit in the UEFA Cup final in Manchester 14 years ago.
Their only taste of European glory came in the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup final, which they won under Willie Waddell with a defeat of Dynamo Moscow in Barcelona.
Half a century on, Van Bronckhorst could repeat the feat with a triumph in Spain, and the Rangers boss is desperate to lift the trophy.
“It means a lot,” he told a press conference. “There aren’t many managers in the history of this club who played a European final.
“There’s only one who won it. It would be fantastic to win the second prize in Europe for the club.”
Referring to the lack of European success for Scottish clubs, the Dutchman added:
“It’s not often you play finals, and it’s not often you play finals in Europe as a Scottish team.
“It’s sporadic that it happens. We’re honoured and proud that we are in the final in Seville.
“And can enjoy this occasion with many fans all around the world.
“We’re representing this beautiful club, we’re representing Scotland, so we have to make sure we give a good impression, and that’s what we want to do.”
He is touching on his side’s impressive exploits in beating RB Leipzig to reach the final.
Van Bronckhorst says the memory will leave him for a long time while stressing the job is not yet done.
“The Leipzig game was one of the best nights I’ve experienced as a player and a manager,” he added. “But it is imperative that we keep going.
“The last two games we’ve played, against Dundee United and Ross County.
“We didn’t relax because we needed the same intensity and desire to play against Frankfurt.
“I don’t want my players to slip up. Saturday [when Rangers play Hearts] is a bit different because we will change some players, but I think we’re ready for the final. That’s all that matters now.”
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