Kyle Lafferty insists a Europa League Final appearance for Rangers would eclipse anything the class of 2008 achieved by reaching the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester.
The ex-Ibrox striker is convinced the circumstances behind a remarkable run to the last four of the competition stand alone as an achievement after the climb back from adversity over the last decade.
A semi-final first leg against RB Leipzig awaits tomorrow night for a club which only restored their Premiership status in 2016 after suffering final implosion resulting in liquidation and demotion into Scotland’s fourth tier.
It all adds up to an astonishing reversal of fortune for the Light Blues and Lafferty is also adamant his old club shouldn’t fear the big spending Germans with a place in the final in Seville a sufficient compensation for a side losing their grip on the title.
He said: “It would be a bigger achievement getting to the final this time around.
“If Rangers weren’t going to win the league but get to the final of a European competition then every fan would be happy.
“Celtic obviously deserve to win the league this season, they have been so strong.
“But Rangers need to get to the final. It’s exactly that. It’s a final and everyone knows what can happen in a cup final.
“It’s a one-off game and if you turn up you can punish teams. This Rangers squad right now are in a good place.
“They can definitely damage Leipzig and again whoever is in the final.”
Lafferty also insists the whole of Scottish football should celebrate the European run from Rangers which has already seen off Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade and Sporting Braga.
The Kilmarnock hitman admits Gio van Bronckhorst’s side deserve all the superlatives going for their Europa League successes even if it’s going to take some divine intervention to get themselves back into the title race with a Scottish Cup Final against Hearts on the horizon.
He said: “What Rangers have done this season, taking away the league, has been exceptional. From a fan point of view, to get to the semi-finals of the Europa League – it’s a great achievement.
“It’s an achievement for any team from Scotland. I don’t think Rangers are afraid of any team in Europe right now because going forward they can score goals. They’ve got an excellent defence although they are up against world class strikers.
“That said, Alfredo Morelos is always going to be a massive miss.
“Europe and the Scottish Cup are both something they must do well in and beating Celtic in the last Old Firm game was something they had to do in my opinion.
“Everyone can put their hand up and say that it’s going to take a miracle to win the league. Celtic won’t drop that many points with four games or whatever left.
“But to beat Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final was something they had to do, to send out a statement that they are still behind the manager and that they still want to do well for the club.
“A few players are out of contract in the summer but that shows they are still fighting.”
The 34-year-old striker will be back in Scottish football’s top flight next season after taking the step up from the Championship with Killie and he’s backed old friend Steven Davis to be the calming influence for Rangers in the fight on all fronts for the remainder of the season.
It’s a tribute to his Northern Ireland team-mate that Lafferty rates the Ibrox midfield veteran as the best player he’s played with and he believes he has a massive role for the team.
He said: “He’s my first name on the team sheet. I know I am biased but I can’t see how he isn’t the main focal point of that team.
“Obviously the manager sees him every day in training, I am being biased because I am really good friends with Davo and I’ve played with him for 87 caps for Northern Ireland and for Rangers.”
