Rangers 3-1 Leipzig: One year on. The story of a magical night in Ibrox

5th May 2022. A day that will live in the hearts of Rangers fans across the globe as, against all odds, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst’s side made it past German giants RB Leipzig to book flights to Seville and to an unprecedented Europa league final.

An emotional week following the death of legendary kitman Jimmy Bell and a 1-0 deficit to overturn from the first leg, it was seen as an unenviable task for the light blues. The feeling going into Ibrox was one of hope rather than expectation.

The atmospheres during the seasons had become legendary with nights against Borussia Dortmund and Braga getting plaudits from across the continent. From Dreamland in Deutschland to an emphatic victory against Braga. This was already a season to remember for the light blues faithful, but they weren’t ready to let it finish there.

A nervous energy surrounded Govan which was let out in full voice as up to 45 minutes before kick off the place was bouncing, and they didn’t let up for the proceeding 90 minutes. The decibel level went into the sky as James Tavernier was there at the back post, as he often was during that run, to tap home a Ryan Kent cross and send the four stands of Ibrox into raptures.

A composed finish from Glen Kamara doubled the lead, with an emotionally charged celebration with the midfielder kissing the black armband that was worn to remember bell.

On a night that was based on emotion and adrenaline, it took someone of Kamara’s class to be cool enough to pass the ball beyond Péter Gulácsi and put them in the lead in the tie.

The half time whistle blew with the ibrox side having one foot in Seville, unlucky not to be more with Joe Aribo missing a guilt edge chance. The Nigerian might’ve been made to rue the chance after Christopher Nkunku showed his quality with a cushioned volley past Allan McGregor levelling the tie and sending it to extra time.

Or as they thought, a looping free kick from James Tavernier makes it way to Ryan Kent on the far side of the 18-yard box. The Englishman stands a cross up to the back post, a poor hand from Gulácsi and it falls to John Lundstram and you know the rest.

Belinda Carlisle came on the speakers, he was the best on earth, and after a nervy 10 minutes. The impossible was possible.

Rangers are in a Europa League final. Those players, the manager, the backroom staff, they have all etched their names in the history books.

The fanbase will remember that night for the rest of their lives. The emotional season, following the passings of both Jimmy Bell and Walter Smith. 10 years ago the fans weren’t sure if the football club would exist anymore and now they had taken the journey from the bottom to the top.

Seeing the ball being stuck on a hedge at Brechin away and now the fans will see the fans in a European final.

Despite what happened in the final and now this season. That night against Leipzig will live long in the memory of every single Rangers fan.