THE message was to make us dream. All they could do was make them proud.
In the end, Rangers fell agonisingly short as a Europa League medal and a place in Ibrox folklore evaded them.
The finale was cruel, but the effort was incredible. It was a case of so near yet so far for James Tavernier and his team-mates after a dramatic yet ultimately disappointing night in Seville.
A shoot-out miss from Aaron Ramsey was the blow that Rangers could not recover from. With five from five, it was Eintracht Frankfurt who could celebrate.
History awaited Tavernier here. The record books will show how far Rangers came, but their name will not be inscribed on the silverware.
The build-up to this night had been an emotional rollercoaster. The same was said of the 120 minutes as players and supporters were put through the ringer in sweltering heat.
Like Tavernier has done so often, he must now pick his peers up. A shot at the Scottish Cup awaits on Saturday but the task of recovering and recuperating will be no easy one.
Rangers headed for home defeated and despondent. Their effort, their character, should not be forgotten though and Giovanni van Bronckhorst could have asked nothing more from them.
A couple of hours before kick-off, Rangers posted a picture on their social media channels of Tavernier’s shirt hanging in the away dressing room. Alongside the armband that he has worn with distinction so often, a pennant was draped over the jersey.
As Tavernier pulled one over his head and slipped the other one, he would surely have taken a moment to remember the man who had laid out those very items for him over his seasons as skipper. Jimmy Bell would have been in his mind and the former kitman was here in spirit.
So, too, was Walter Smith. An interview with Smith’s grandchildren that was released on BBC Scotland earlier in the day was a poignant and emotional reminder of a man who epitomised Rangers, one who would have been as proud as any as his club took to the field.
The players would gather in the middle of the pitch and watch in wonder as the red, white and blue legions behind the goal bounced and chanted in unison. It may have been a neutral venue, but it was Rangers who struck the first blows in terms of the colour and noise.
Such a sight could only have inspired Van Bronckhorst’s side. Those supporters have not just been with them throughout this remarkable European journey, they have stood by their club through the most tumultuous times in Rangers’ history.
Tavernier has been there for every one of them – the European exits, the domestic failures, the Old Firm embarrassments - in the last seven years. The emotion and elation of leading Rangers to title 55 last term would have enveloped the difficult moments, but each setback has ultimately made him the player and the man that he is today.
His quality and his character has been questioned and ridiculed, his importance to the team dismissed by those who fail to overlook previous misdemeanours and continue to hold his early inadequacies against him.
The debate over his status and whether he merits a place as a Hall of Fame inductee has been intriguing this term. Just by leading Rangers out here, he strengthened his case for inclusion.
Tavernier spoke this week about the chance to emulate Greig as he sought to write another chapter in his Ibrox story. The Greatest Ever Ranger has been a source of influence and inspiration throughout Tavernier’s career as – in the moments of triumph and adversity – he has offered advice on matters on and off the field.
The medals that Greig collected during his trophy-laden career at Rangers tell of his class and quality as a player, but his stature as a leader remains just as significant decades after he pulled on the famous jersey for the final time.
He was joined in Seville by some of those whom he had captained just a couple of hours away almost 50 years ago. On that night, Colin Stein scored one and Willie Johnston two as the Bears were crowned in Barcelona.
This was a night that offered the opportunity for new heroes to emerge, for legendary status to be bestowed on those who have defied all the odds to reach Seville.
Few players had done more to secure this spot in Seville than Tavernier. Three goals in the victory over Borussia Dortmund were followed by another against Red Star Belgrade, while two were scored as Braga were beaten.
His strike against RB Leipzig had put him out in front in the list of top scorers. Ahead of his date with destiny, that was just another ambition for Tavernier to aim for as he took Rangers into their fifth European final.
The names of those who have achieved that feat in previous decades are synonymous with success, their deeds immortalised in banner and song. No matter the result here, the efforts of this squad would be remembered for some time.
Rangers needed a performance befitting the stage. Come the break, few had risen to the occasion and Tavernier’s fortunes summed up the night so far.
The passing that is usually so crisp and decisive was out of sync, while defensive lapses were fortunately not punished as the right-back found himself apologising for positional mistakes on more than one occasion.
The theme continued, despite Aribo’s opener, and the equaliser from Rafael Borre was such a woeful goal to lose at this level. With 20 minutes remaining, Tavernier needed to rally his side, to inspire them to a heroic finish.
When the whistle was blown and extra time was needed, that was the case once again. As Rangers regrouped, they stood half an hour away from glory.
With the final attempt, it seemed like fate would fall in Tavernier’s favour. When his free-kick was saved, it was down to penalties to decide a night of drama and superhuman effort.
Tavernier was first. Amid a cauldron of noise and under the most intense pressure, he slotted home from 12 yards and the Rangers end erupted.
A few kicks later, it was silenced. The dream was over. Legends had not been made, but valiant heroes had come to the fore in Seville.
