GIOVANNI van Bronckhorst feels ‘honoured’ to reach the UEFA Europa League final with his Rangers team as the squad travel to the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium in Seville to face Frankfurt on Wednesday night.
It’s been 50 years since Rangers last won a European trophy and with all eyes on van Bronckhorst’s squad travelling to Andalucía they’ll be aiming to replicate 1972’s success to bring the Europa League trophy back to Ibrox.
Van Bronckhorst will be looking to make history with his Light Blues on Wednesday evening and outlined that he is looking forward to savour this moment with the loyal Rangers support.
When asked at Thursday’s press conference, van Bronckhorst said: “It means a lot, it’s not often that you play finals or a final in Europe. As a Scottish team, it’s very rare that it happens, so I’m really honoured and proud that we are in the final in Seville.
“We’ll enjoy this occasion with many fans all around the world, there will be many supporters in the stadium and even more in the city. We’re representing this beautiful club and Scotland; we have to make sure that we give a good impression.
“It’s a final and it’s so good that you feel that it’s a special game because if you feel the pressure, it means that you’re doing really well, and we have to embrace that into something positive.
“Our performances in Europe will give us that confidence, in the build-up we have to concentrate on the game that doesn’t change in Seville.”
“We’ll focus on our game plan and how we want to play to prepare not only tactically but mentally as well.
The Gers boss gave an injury update on Kemar Roofe ahead of the cup final and looked at Oliver Glasner’s side as they prepare for a hugely competitive match on Wednesday night.
He added: “He’s not training with the team at the moment, we’re trying to get him on the pitch hopefully at the weekend but for him he’s doing everything, and I really admire his desire to be ready for the game on Wednesday.
“We’re pushing hard, but it’s one of those injuries where it’s a close call and hopefully he can make some positive steps in the coming days.
“They’re [Frankfurt] a Bundesliga team, they’re a very strong, physically good and well organised team – they’ve had some great results.
“Those results in Europe will also give them confidence, beating Barcelona and West Ham is a great achievement for them as well.
“They have different players in all the teams that we’ve played, individually they have different strengths, and we are watching all the games that they’ve played so far.
“In the end, we’re going to make a plan to try and be victorious against Frankfurt.”
ㅤ
ㅤ
A subscription to RangersTV starts from just £6 per month, and provides not only exclusive access to the club’s teams, but also original feature videos and documentaries, our incredibly popular Inside Ibrox and Away Days shows and our extensive archive of match action from through the years.