It will be an emotionally charged night at Ibrox as Rangers look to make history.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst is looking to become only the fourth manager to lead the club to a major European final.
Scot Symon, Willie Waddell and Walter Smith all achieved that with only Waddell going on to lift silverware.
And on the 50th anniversary of that European Cup Winners’ Cup success in Barcelona, the Light Blues face a do or die 90 minutes to move a step closer to achieving that feat.
Rangers trail RB Leipzig 1-0 from the first leg in Germany and it’s going to be a raucous atmosphere at the Govan ground.
But it will be tinged with sadness with the huge match coming just 48 hours after the passing of the club’s much-loved and legendary kitman Jimmy Bell.
Addressing fitness issues on key duo Kemar Roofe and Aaron Ramsey seemed insignificant in comparison to the loss of Bell.
But van Bronckhorst and his players have a job in hand and the Dutchman addressed all at his pre-match press conference.
How is everyone after the sad news of Jimmy Bell’s passing?
GVB: We were all very shocked about the news that Jimmy passed away. It was a hard day for all of us. Everyone was really down, as you can imagine.
We didn’t do a lot. We were all at the training ground but the atmosphere was very down and still in shock.
We talked about him and shared personal stories of Jimmy and today we look at ahead to Leipzig. It was a big game anyway but we’re determined to go out and make everyone proud - and especially make Jimmy proud. We are back and we are going to try and prepare as well as we can.
How are the players mentally?
GVB: We still mourn. We are still down. But the character of my players are the best I’ve seen in any teams I’ve coached. I’m sure that on Thursday the character, belief and determination will be there and we will do everything to reach the final. We will be ready.
Is Kemar Roofe ready to play?
GVB: I don’t know yet. We still have one day to prepare and him and Aaron were pushing to be ready for the game and today will be an important day for both but I can’t tell you if both will be in the squad. It depends on how training goes today. When they get injured we all knew that they will work towards this game. Of course, I will wait as long as possible.
But for me the most important thing is that they are physically able to play a part in the game. That is always the deciding factor for me.
How big an atmosphere do you expect?
GVB: We all have the same goal - to reach the final. My players and staff will do the best we can to be prepared. The fans are always important for us at home and a big factor. We are going to have a noisy night and we need that to overcome this opponent. It will be emotional but we will be ready when the whistle goes.
Where are the fitness levels coming from?
GVB: Physically we have been good. Of course, we have missed players through injuries but physically a lot comes from your mental strength and we have that. All of the recent games have been big against good opponents but we have been there every game and Thursday will be the same against a technically and physically strong team but we will be able match them and give everything to be winners. The character in the team is amazing. It’s not easy because you have to rest and recover well and the players are doing that.
Have you had a chance to think how close you are?
GVB: Well, of course. You have goals in your career as a player and as a coach. You want to achieve great things and you dream of coaching teams in finals.You have that as a player, you have that as a coach and that gives you the drive to keep going. We are one step away from reaching the final so we are getting closer and closer. You know, our European campaign this year has been great and we want to make sure we extend that to the final.
You could join a list of elite Rangers managers to reach a European final?
GVB: I am not thinking about any personal goals. I am thinking about being successful with the club. For me the club is the most important thing now.There are not many times that the team has played in a final in Europe so hopefully we’ll be joining a very elite group. That’s all that matters. We are all here to bring success and bring trophies to this beautiful club. That’s always my main target.
RB Leipzig?
GVB: I can only talk about my players snd my team. But of course we have seen the last few games they have played in the league.
They haven’t had the results they wanted and they are now in fifth place. Of course, Champions League football is also important for RB Leipzig so they will do everything they can to win this game. We have to prepare we well as possible.
We played against them just last week so I have a getter view on their players in terms of their qualities and their strengths as well as their weaknesses.
We just have to prepare for a really tough game against a really good opponent. We both want to reach the final but, of course, I am the Rangers manager and I will be doing everything I can to be in the final in Seville.
