THE titles and the triumphs as a player marked Giovanni van Bronckhorst out as one of the finest and most successful of his generation.
His next achievement as a manager could put him in the most esteemed company at Ibrox as Rangers bid to rewrite the record books and join Willie Waddell's heroes of 1972 in the hearts and minds of supporters.
Five major honours during his time in Glasgow was only the start for Van Bronckhorst. A Premier League and FA Cup followed at Arsenal, while he became a champion of Europe as further domestic medals were won during a glittering career with Barcelona.
The biggest prize in the game ultimately evaded Van Bronckhorst as captain of his country, but a return to his first club brought his maiden glories as a boss as Feyenoord's long wait for an Eredivisie triumph was followed by cup celebration in his homeland.
Now, the Europa League awaits and Eintracht Frankfurt stand between Rangers and history, between Van Bronckhorst and a moment that would immediately become one of the finest he has ever had the privilege of experiencing in the game.
“It means a lot," Van Bronckhorst said. "I’ve had experiences as a player winning major trophies, it’s always a good feeling.
“As a manager it’s the same, I had success in winning major prizes. We have the chance now to win prizes for Rangers so I am very honoured to be able to play in these finals.
“There aren’t many managers in the history of this club to have played in a European final, there is only one who has won it. It would be fantastic to win a second prize for this club.
“I don’t think you have favourites in finals. It can go either way, they say 50-50.
“But I am confident that we can give a good performance and give ourselves the best possible chance of winning it.
“We play against a good team, but we have played against strong opponents and beat them.
“It’s two historic teams playing against each other and it’s a very exciting final.”
The chance to conquer the continent, even at Europa League level, is a unique one. Indeed, it may prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Van Bronckhorst and his players.
Thrilling wins over Borussia Dortmund and Red Star Belgrade were followed by remarkable triumphs against Braga and RB Leipzig as Rangers earned their shot at the silverware.
Rangers can head for Seville with hope as well as in expectation. Time will tell if the trophy returns with them to Glasgow.
“We are playing really well," Van Bronckhorst said. "You see in the last months how many games we have played in Europe and domestically.
“We are maybe the team that has played the most this season. We had difficult periods, with a lot of big games after each other.
"We had Braga and then the cup game against Celtic was one of those moments. But the players did very well both physically and mentally.
“I think we are very strong and in a good position to play two big games at the end of the week.
“It feels really good to be in the final. But I think you will have a better feeling if you win the final.
“That’s all we have to do. We haven’t achieved anything yet.
“We came through and we deserve to be in the final but I also know we have to give another good performance on the night to lift the trophy.
“I have belief and confidence in my players. They are really focused and they are in a really good place.
“Physically and mentally they are in a good place so everything is there to play well against Frankfurt for next week and to be a part of the history of this club.”
If any of Van Bronckhorst's side needed an insight into just what European success would mean for Rangers, they only had to live through the emotional, evocative win over Leipzig last week.
The trip to face Hearts on Saturday is almost an irrelevance. All eyes are fixed on the final and the sense of occasion and excitement will only grow as the days tick away.
Van Bronckhorst said: “After the Leipzig game at home, which was one of the best nights I have experienced as a player or as a manager, we knew we had to keep going.
“That was very important for all of us and that’s what we did. Against Dundee United and Ross County we didn’t relax.
“We need the same intensity and desire to play against Frankfurt and I don’t want my players to slip up.
“Saturday is different because we are going to change a few players, but I think we are ready for the final and that’s all that matters right now.
“It’s not often you play finals in Europe as a Scottish team, it’s very rare. We are honoured and proud to be in Seville and to be enjoying this occasion with so many fans all around the world.
“There will be many fans in the stadium, many more in the city. We are representing this beautiful club and we are representing Scotland so we have to make sure we are giving a good impression and that’s what we want to do.”
Van Bronckhorst may be no stranger to high-stakes fixtures and silverware successes but many of his players are in uncharted territory as they prepare for the biggest game of their careers.
The nerves and the apprehension will be understandable. It is the feelings of achievement and pride that must be most prevalent come the final whistle.
“It’s very important," Van Bronckhorst said when asked about Rangers not getting caught up in the occasion. "It is a final but it is also good to feel it is a special game.
"If you are feeling pressure you know you are doing really well and we have to embrace the pressure into something positive.
“I think our performances in Europe will give us some confidence, in the end in the build-up we have to concentrate on the game - that doesn’t change in Seville, it’s still 11 v 11 with a referee, one ball, two goals, and those things will not change.
"We will focus on that, focus on our gameplan and how we want to play and prepare well not only tactically but also mentally for the game and I think we cope.”
