Rangers' devastated stars were last night urged to pay Jimmy Bell the ultimate tribute by battling past Leipzig to set up a Seville send-off for the legendary kitman.
The Ibrox squad were left reeling by the shock news that Bell - a club servant for more than three decades - had died suddenly aged 69.
Boss Gio van Bronckhorst and skipper James Tavernier were among the current crop leading the heartfelt tributes, with their thoughts echoed by a host of former big names whose Ibrox links span back to Graeme Souness’ reign.
However, former captain Barry Ferguson and Dutch icon Ronald de Boer have both told Record Sport that the best way for Van Bronckhorst’s team to honour their late friend would be to finish off Thursday night's semi-final tie with Leipzig and book a Europa League date with destiny on May 18.
Speaking ahead of the Ibrox second leg, which Gers enter trailing 1-0 from last week’s loss in Germany, De Boer hailed Bell as the ‘world’s greatest kitman”.
“It’s unbelievable that he has passed away so suddenly,” added the former Ajax and Barcelona great, who spent four years in Glasgow. “No one saw this coming.
“I spoke to Dave Vos, Gio’s assistant, who said he was with the team on Sunday at the Old Firm game but then suddenly he had a problem with his throat and then things went very quickly.
“You can’t take in that he’s not there any more.
“It’s a very sad moment.
“Everyone had a special relationship with Jimmy because he was a great character.
“He was the heart of the club and it’s terrible to learn he’s died.
“Thursday is a huge game for the club against Leipzig and it will be hard for everyone at the club when they see he’s not there in the dugout.
“Hopefully the team can do the magic for him.
“Do it for Jimmy because all he wants is to see Rangers through to the final. That would be the greatest tribute they could pay to him.
“It will be difficult but maybe this will give the players the mental strength to get through.
"Normally for a game like this you don’t need motivation but maybe this tragic news will give them the spur they need to go to new heights and do it for Jimmy.
“It will be emotional for all the players and staff but also for Gio especially. I know he had a special bond with Jimmy and will be devastated with his loss.
“Unfortunately, life continues but all Jimmy would have wanted was to see Rangers winning and making history. That’s the one thing the team can do against Leipzig.”
Bell - formerly a mechanic with the bus firm owned by Gers chairman Douglas Park - joined the club in the late 1980s as a coach driver before taking over responsibility for the first-team kit.
It was a position that allowed him to grow close to almost every big name star that has since pulled on a blue jersey.
Few were closer than Ferguson, who admitted he was struggling to cope with the pain of losing his dear friend.
“I’m devastated and numb,” said the Record Sport columnist. “I’m all over the place.
“I’d probably known Jimmy since I was six years old when I first started going into Ibrox with my brother.
“It’s all come so suddenly. For the first time in my life, I’m lost for words because he meant so much to me.
“I’m sure inside the training ground will be quiet too. People will be absolutely devastated.
“But I’m convinced more than ever that Rangers will win on Thursday because they’ll want to do it for Jimmy.
“And that’s all Jimmy would want, to see the team win. All he ever wanted was for Rangers to be the best.”
Social media was flooded with message of tribute form Gers stars new and old.
And Van Bronckhorst took time out of his vital preparations for tonight’s make-or-break showdown to post on Instagram: “I am devastated to learn of the sad passing of my friend and colleague, Jimmy Bell.
“I had a special relationship, I loved being around him, both as a player and subsequently as manager.
“He was a hard working, dedicated and selfless Ranger, who epitomised everything this great club stands for.
“He will be sorely missed by everyone at Rangers. I send my thoughts and prayers to the Bell family at this difficult time.”
Former Ibrox chairman Dave King also told Record Sport: “I am truly sorry to hear of Jimmy’s passing. He was an institution within the Rangers institution and will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
