There’s a brilliant graphic online of Walter Smith and Jimmy Bell at either side of the Europa League trophy.
When I saw it before Rangers’ win over RB Leipzig at Ibrox on Thursday night, it just gave me a sense that something special is going to happen this season.
It’s the club’s 150th anniversary, it’s the 50th anniversary of the Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in Barcelona.
And then you consider the events of the last few months, with Walter and Jimmy passing away.
It just feels like it’s written in the stars for Rangers to go and achieve something unique.
And they’re now only one step away from doing it, from getting their hands on that trophy in Seville on May 18.
If they do, I think it will be years before everyone connected with the club
looks back and realises just how big an achievement that is.
When you’re involved in the moment, you don’t really take it in.
But when people reflect on what Gio van Bronckhorst ’s team have done in the Europa League this season?
They’ll appreciate that it’s nothing short of sensational.
Look at what Scottish teams are up against nowadays in Europe.
That Leipzig squad took £200million to assemble.
Look at the Rangers team. The captain and talisman James Tavernier was signed for next to nothing. He’s now the top scorer in the Europa League.
Glen Kamara was a £50,000 buy from Dundee. John Lundstram a free transfer, Calvin Bassey a compensation fee to Leicester.
So for Gers to reach the final is incredible – and the supporters have played their part too.
I didn’t think anything could top the Borussia Dortmund night at Ibrox in terms of atmosphere.
I’d never heard anything like that before – but Thursday night blew it out the water.
The European nights just have a different vibe altogether.
The Old Firm atmosphere is second to none because there’s always that edge. There’s that rivalry and bitterness, with so much on the line.
But, because of that, there’s anxiety built into it as well.
The European nights are more relaxed for some reason and it’s purely about getting behind the team. That’s what makes it special.
Thursday night was the best I’ve ever experienced.
From working at the games for BT Sport and being in and around Ibrox, I’ve sensed a really special feel about this group at Rangers.
Watching them, there’s real unity there. And clubs need that if they want to be successful.
This European run has maybe pulled them even closer together.
There’s definitely a special feel about the place right now.
And the players will never have a better chance of lifting a European trophy. In fact, they might not get anywhere near it again.
Eintracht Frankfurt have beaten Real Betis, Barcelona and a good West Ham side.
But Rangers have taken out Dortmund, Braga and Leipzig. They are all top teams. So there’s no reason why they can’t go to Seville and win.
Gio has got it spot on tactically throughout the European run. The wee tweaks and decisions he’s made have been outstanding.
He has shifted to a back three at times, with Lundstram normally dropping back into the centre of defence. But against Leipzig he played him on the right. There were thoughts and reasons behind that.
Only the coaches will know. But it could have been due to Christopher Nkunku playing on that side.
They maybe thought Lundstram’s physicality could match him.
With Kevin Kampl coming back into the Leipzig team, Gio put Kamara in there to get all over the top of him.
It was the same formation for the first leg in Germany but the approach was totally different.
A manager can put a plan in place but the players have to believe in it and execute it. And they’ve done that throughout this incredible run.
In 2008 Rangers deserved to get to the UEFA Cup Final for different reasons.
It was about being dogged, not giving goals away. They felt they could nick one or take it to extra-time.
There were some incredible moments like Allan McGregor’s save in Bremen or Steven Whittaker’s goal in Lisbon.
But on this journey Rangers have actually outplayed good teams.
Every team who have come to Ibrox have been outplayed for long spells.
For one game you can get a bit of luck and things can go your way.
But for a full European run? No, Rangers have imposed their game on opponents.
It was the same on Thursday night.When that second goal went in the roof came off the place. And Ally McCoist was dancing next to me.
Everyone knows what the club means to Coisty so it was fantastic to share that moment with him.
I genuinely believe that atmosphere has spooked opposition teams and really affected them.
It has taken teams time to recover from it.
Leipzig have some world-class players but with 50,000 fans going ballistic, they couldn’t deal with it.
And with Rangers fans bound to head for Seville in their droves, let’s hope Frankfurt can’t either.
Goldson to stay?
It tells you everything about Connor Goldson as a character that with just weeks left of his Rangers contract, he’s playing like a man possessed.
And after reaching the Europa League Final, I just wonder if it might make him stay at Ibrox.
I’ve spoken to so many players who have come through the doors at Ibrox. It’s a special club and leaves a mark on you.
That’s why Van Bronckhorst talks about it the way he does – and he has played for Barcelona and Arsenal.
If Connor leaves he will probably realise that sometimes the grass isn’t always greener.
When you leave Rangers you think: “Should I have done that?" I was lucky, I did it twice and managed to get back.
But when you consider the demands and expectations at Rangers, that hole is difficult to fill.
Connor has been sensational this season. I saw his dad in the stand at Ibrox on Thursday night. He’ll have been so proud seeing his boy reach a Europa League Final
If he’s already decided to go, I hope winning in Seville would maybe change his mind. Because I think he’d be a big loss.
Connor has barely missed a game since signing for the club under Steven Gerrard.
He has been criticised at some points but keeps coming back. He stands up to be counted.
Getting to a European final and seeing the reaction of the fans, he might just think: “I can’t leave this."
He might want to experience the Champions League next season and get more success.
I would love to think this will make him hungry for more. In the space of four days this group of players have the chance to pick up two trophies.
They have a real chance to plant themselves into Rangers’ history.
And for Connor and others, it might be years before they look back and realise what they’ve achieved.
