Gio van Bronckhorst demands no Rangers excuses as boss out to silence Celtic with Europa League triumph

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Rangers' continental club is so exclusive it’s membership list extends to just one name. Legendary Ibrox boss Willie Waddle is the only man to have successfully gained admission after guiding Gers to their one and only European prize with his team’s 1972 Cup Winners’ Cup triumph.

Before that, Scott Symon was the first to submit an entry application through the same competition.Twice, though, he would fall at the final hurdle, first against Fiorentina in 1961 and then to Bayern Munich six years later, as he was denied him his place in history.It would be 2008 before anyone else had a serious go at forcing their way into the gilded halls reserved for those who able to bring European conquest to Ibrox.

Again, the later, great Walter Smith would suffer the same fate as Symon after Zenit St Petersburg whipped away the membership card he so desired following their UEFA Cup tussle in Manchester.

Now, 50 years on from Waddle’s crowning moment in Barcelona, it’s Gio van Bronckhorst’s turn. And the significance of the moment is not lost on the Dutchman as he prepares for next Wednesday’s Europa League date with destiny against Frankfurt in Seville. “It means a lot,” said the 2006 Champions League winner. “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’m 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.