The Glasgow club are about to embark on a first European semi final since 2007-08, when they finished as UEFA Cup runners-up
This week is a huge one for Rangers Football Club. On Thursday they travel to the east of Germany to face RB Leipzig in the semi final first leg of the Europa League, before a trip to Celtic Park on Sunday for the final Old Firm Derby of the year, one which they absolutely must win to stand any slim chance of beating their city rivals to the Scottish Premiership title.
When Steven Gerrard left the club for Aston Villa last November, many outsiders may have worried for Rangers, but since the arrival of former player Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the dugout, things have gone spectacularly on the European front.
While things haven't exactly panned out in the league, with Celtic almost guaranteed to recapture the domestic crown, Rangers are on the cusp of doing something much more special, reaching a major European final. Gerrard laid the ground work for this European success by guiding the club to the Europea League last 16 in back-to-back seasons but his Dutch successor has certainly taken that to a whole new level.
Few could have imagined that Rangers would get this far, especially considering the rocky start they suffered in the group stage. Despite the European success he had brought in previous campaigns, Gerrard left the club on only four points from four games in the Europa League this season and in very real danger of going out at the first hurdle.
Step in, Giovanni van Bronckhorst. The Dutchman came in and picked up four vitals points in the two remaining matches to see the Glasgow side finish second in the group. Rangers then shocked the world by eliminating the mighty Borussia Dortmund in the playoff to reach the knockout stage. Since then they've got past an underrated FK Crvena zvezda side and a very dangerous Braga to book their place in the final four.
As the season comes to a dramatic conclusion, it's been one of mixed fortunes for Rangers fans. While they are almost certainly about to give over their Scottish Premiership crown, they do have a Scottish Cup final against Hearts to look forward to, and most of all, they have the chance to make history as they stand three matches away from lifting European silverware.
We wanted an inside perspective on how Rangers fans feel about van Bronckhorst and the performance of the team so far this season, so we caught up with Jonathan McFarlane from The Rangers Review and Steven Clifford from Four Lads Had A Dream to find out what they think about the highs and lows of this campaign.
Q. How has Giovanni Van Bronckhorst done since taking over from Steven Gerrard? How seamless has the transition been?
Jonathan: It's been a mixed bag. In Europe and the cup competitions, Rangers have been formidable under the Dutchman but in the league, they have surrendered a six-point lead since January. Tactically, van Bronckhorst has actually changed quite a lot from Gerrard's rigid model and it's clear he knows his onions in this regard, given how well they have performed against the likes of Dortmund when his tinkering has turned around games.
In Scotland, every Rangers manager has to pack the team with goals to get around the low block they face almost every week and simply put, the squad built by Gerrard is far more comfortable going toe to toe than playing against a packed defence. Points have been dropped in really disappointing circumstances but there hasn't been a major slide since the Gerrard era. He was also prone to struggling against deep defences and his lead in the league was more down to Celtic's bumpy rebuild than the level of performance.
Q. What's gone wrong in the league this season? What do you think has been the biggest factor in how the title race has gone?
Steven: What has gone wrong? The million dollar question really. The seeds were already sown by the time Steven Gerrard left in terms of league performance and form. Giovanni managed to get a bounce but that was never going to last. A lot of players simply ran out of form and appetite, along with injuries. The squad need freshening last summer and it never really got that. Had Ryan Jack and John Lundstram gelled earlier and been available together it may have been different but it’s all ifs and buts - we haven’t been consistent nor have we performed well enough. It’s difficult to say if the title last year was the pinnacle for this squad which they have struggled to get over, some have had their hunger questioned, some just need a new challenge. All of that is fair to say but they have also shown that they are capable of big moments before any summer changes come.
Some players look short on desire and after three years and the emotional highs of last year, this can happen. What we do now is the most important thing, finish strong then freshen the squad.
Q. What do you think is the priority for most Rangers fans right now, to win the league or the Europa League?
Jonathan: Rangers would require a totally unrealistic collapse from Celtic in the league so the priority is Europe. They have won a single elite trophy in their history so to add another would make these players immortal. Make no mistake, given the polarisation in finances compared with elite leagues in comparison to 1972, this would be the greatest win in the club's storied history. If Rangers can get to the final, Seville should brace itself for tens of thousands of fans descending from all over the world for a carnival of football.
Q. Gerrard did well in Europe but the run in the UEL this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Do you think this team can go all the way?
Steven: We can go all the way absolutely, whether we will or not depends on what Rangers team turn up. This Rangers team is more than capable, even if the remaining three other teams are very strong. Leipzig is most likely the strongest attack we have come up against so will be the challenge but equally defensively we can cause them issues and if we can still be in the tie come the home leg then Ibrox is capable of being a fortress.
In my 38 years, this is the strongest period of European performance this squad has given us and for that I am grateful to Steven Gerrard and his management. They most certainly started the revolution but Giovanni has made some huge decisions which have brought this run to the exciting stage we are at now.
If Rangers do go all the way it will be the biggest moment and a fitting tribute to our 150th anniversary year.
Q. Who have been the standout players in the squad this season, in your opinion?
Jonathan: Calvin Bassey and James Tavernier have been the most consistent performers across the whole season but John Lundstram is putting up a remarkable late surge. The Scouse midfielder has dominated games in Europe and put in a herculean showing against Celtic at the weekend. The turnaround there is incredible given there were noises he might be on the way out in the January window after a flat start to his Ibrox career. He's shown to be a powerhouse in midfield and he seems to get better with every game. Signed for free by Steven Gerrard, who pulled out all the stops to lure him north, he's looking worth every penny spent on his wages.
Rangers face two very high stakes away games this week, starting on Thursday when they travel to face RB Leipzig in the first leg of their historic Europa League semi final. They will then go to Celtic Park on Sunday to try and reduce the points deficit between the two at the top of the Scottish Premiership to three, and give themselves a one-in-a-million chance of snatching the title back at the death.
The Leipzig game will be broadcast on BT Sport 2 and the Celtic game is on Sky Sports Main Event. Both broadcasters have their respective live streaming platforms too if fans wish to watch on mobile devices.
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