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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Paul Thomson

Rangers will have Jimmy Bell and Walter Smith deep in their thoughts and Europa glory is written in the stars, says club legend

Barry Ferguson believes Rangers will have legendary boss Walter Smith and kitman Jimmy Bell deep in their thoughts in Seville - and reckons that can spur them on to Europa League glory tonight.

The Light Blues downed RB Leipzig on an emotional semi-final night at Ibrox last month to book their place in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt, just days after the sudden death of Wishaw man Bell.

It also comes in the same season Ferguson's old gaffer Walter Smith passed away.

And the former club captain is convinced the memory of the two legendary Ibrox figures will play their part in pushing Rangers on to make history with a first European trophy since the 1972 Cup Winners' Cup triumph on Spanish soil in Barcelona.

Ferguson told Lanarkshire Live Sport : "I've just got a feeling that what has happened at Rangers recently, with two club legends in Walter Smith and Jimmy Bell passing, that it is written in the stars for Rangers.

"I really think if Rangers bring their A-game, and the vast majority of the players are on their game, I think it will 100 per cent be Rangers' night.

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson had a strong bond with kitman Jimmy Bell (SNS Group 0141 221 3602)

"Walter and Jimmy will be deep in the thoughts of the players when they go out there, because they are a massive part of Rangers' history.

"You could see that in the Leipzig game. The atmosphere at that game was nothing short of frightening, how good that was, and the level of performance they showed as well.

Rangers wore black armbands for Jimmy Bell on the night they saw off Leipzig in the semi-finals (SNS Group)

"That was a team sitting fourth in the Bundesliga behind the likes of Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

"But even at 2-1 and when it was squeaky bum time a bit, I just felt Rangers were going to score again and they did.

"So I'm sure that can push them on again."

Follow Lanarkshire Live Sport on Twitter via @LanLiveSport, like us on Facebook or find us on Instagram for the latest sports news, pictures and video.

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