There has been a sense that Rangers’ second European triumph could be fate this season and there are reasons – such as respective semi-final wins over German opposition and a return to Spain – which lead some to believe it’s written in the stars in the 50th anniversary of the win over Dynamo Moscow.

A Scottish Cup final encounter with Hearts will follow when Rangers return to Glasgow next week and time will tell if they do after packing the silverware into their suitcases after beating Eintracht Frankfurt to rewrite the book of records.

The night Colin Stein scored one and Willie Johnston scored two remains the biggest in Rangers history. And Derek Johnstone knows exactly what adoration will follow if Van Bronckhorst’s side follow in the illustrious footsteps next week.

“Winning the Europa League and then the Scottish Cup would be a remarkable achievement,” said Johnstone. “But that doesn’t make them the best team when it comes to just over a season.

“In the 70s we won two Trebles, won League Cups and Scottish Cups and league championships. This team has yet to do that over a period of time, but they have an incredible opportunity ahead. she.

“We won it at Barcelona 50 years ago and they still talk about it now, we are considered legends because we are the only Rangers team to have won a European trophy. They can join that.

“Some may only be here a season or a few seasons, but they will be remembered forever. The team that started in Barcelona ended it and we never used any substitutes.

“It will be different this time. But every player can make themselves immortal and being only the second Rangers team to win a European trophy will never be forgotten by the fans.

“In the years to come, everyone will be able to rhyme with this team if they win it. They will be immortal.

“That’s what they must be thinking, those 90 minutes can make them legends. This is no ordinary game, this is their chance to leave a legacy.”

The debate over better achievement or better side is largely irrelevant and the eras and players cannot be compared more than five decades later. What is indisputable, however, is what Europa League success would mean for the bracket.

Van Bronckhorst’s side are lucky to land a dream double as they aim for silverware at Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán and Hampden and the ramifications of two triumphs would run deep for Rangers.

Johnstone said: “It’s unique in the sense that Rangers are in the final of a European competition just days before the Scottish Cup final. That’s not often the case.

“The year we won the Cup Winners’ Cup, we never won anything else that season. It was strange.

“People have asked if you’d rather win the Premiership or the Europa League. Everyone would agree that it’s a marathon to win the league and you play more than 30 games, whereas a European trophy can be won in a few knockout matches.

“If you win the Europa, it takes you to the Champions League. So as far as this season is concerned, I would choose to win a European trophy.

“How lucky we are to do this. Winning the trophy would be one thing, but the added benefits of getting into the Champions League and the money that comes with it, what an incentive for Sevilla.

“The main thing in cup finals, as we have seen in European games, is attitude and being there from the start. If Rangers can do that they are more than capable of winning. both finals.

The win over RB Leipzig that secured a silverware shot was accomplished against all odds as Rangers overcame their injury struggles to produce a thrilling comeback at an incredible Ibrox chance.

Boss Van Bronckhorst has pledged to give Kemar Roofe every chance to prove his fitness ahead of the final and time will tell what role he will play against Frankfurt.

The visit to Ross County tonight and the trip to Tynecastle on Saturday will close out the Premiership campaign. Rangers already have more than one eye on two trophies, however, and no unnecessary risks will be taken in terms of team selection.

“You also don’t want to go without a key defender or midfielder,” Johnstone said when asked about the difficulties of approaching two more must-win games without a proven striker. “But certainly if you want to win games, you score goals and not having a recognized striker would be a problem.

“Gio should be looking at a top board and Manchester City. How often do they play with a full centre-forward? They have three changing men who can play wide or get into the box and score goals.

“There is now more responsibility on midfielders and forwards to get those goalscoring positions and provide the ammunition.

“There’s no point in throwing balls high into the box if you don’t have a big striker, so you have to play around the area, get in there and take the shots away.

“It was a blow not to have a striker like Alfredo Morelos, who scores goals for fun and can occupy defenses on his own.

“If Roofe doesn’t make it, we struggle again and you look for alternatives. But you just have to adapt and keep going.

“Rangers have shown they can be quick starters, they can get those early goals, and Gio will demand they come out of traps in the final two and have every chance of winning two medals in the week. next.”