Rangers are into their first European final since 2008, and somewhat ironically, they’re heading to Seville to face Eintracht Frankfurt.
As many will know, Seville was also the venue of Celtic’s last European final, the 2003 UEFA Cup final defeat vs Porto.
That Celtic side has gone down in history as one of the best Glasgow has ever seen, and the Bhoys of Seville remain living legends in the eyes of many Celtic supporters.
However, now it’s Rangers’s turn to attempt to make history in Spain, and with so many parallels to be drawn between the two teams, we’ve had a go at putting together a combined XI of the sides’ best players.
GK – Allan McGregor
A true Rangers legend, Allan McGregor pips Rab Douglas to the number one spot in this side.
You don’t need us to tell you everything McGregor has achieved at Ibrox, he’s a four-time Scottish League champion and he’s still going strong at the age of 40.
RB – James Tavernier
The top scorer in the Europa League this season from right-back, James Tavernier has been an absolute revelation for Rangers over the past couple of years.
The skipper has been unbelievably brilliant in Rangers’ run to the final of this competition, and it’s incredibly hard to overlook him for a place in this side.
Don’t be surprised if Tavernier is once again amongst the goals in the final.
CB – Conor Goldson
A stalwart in the Rangers backline over the past few years, Conor Goldson has been almost impeccable in this run to the Europa League final.
He’s helped keep the likes of Donyell Malen and Christopher Nkunku at bay, and if he can perform a similar job on Frankfurt’s fantastic frontline, Rangers may well be victorious in Seville.
CB – Bobo Balde
Famously sent off in Celtic’s UEFA Cup final, that small blemish shouldn’t take away from what was an utterly fantastic season at Celtic Park for the Guinean.
Balde played no fewer than 53 matches that year and he was a vital component in Celtic’s historic run to the final.
LB – Jackie McNamara
Jackie McNamara could play anywhere across the backline, but he slots in at left-back in our team.
A legend of the Scottish game, McNamara didn’t play as much as he would have liked in 2002/03, but his all-around impact at Celtic can’t be understated.
A four-time league champion and Scottish Player of the Year winner, McNamara is one of Celtic’s modern greats.
RM – Ryan Kent
More naturally a left-sided player, Ryan Kent has been shifted over to the right side in order for him to fit into this team.
Kent has been fantastic in Rangers’ last two Europa League campaigns, and he almost always delivers on the biggest of stages.
Don’t be surprised of the Oldham-born winger has a massive part to play in deciding the final later this month.
CM – Paul Lambert
One of two Champions League winners in this side, Paul Lambert is arguably one of the best footballers Scotland have produced in the last 30 years.
Lambert captained Celtic in their UEFA Cup final, and he’s more than earned his place in our combined XI here.
CM – Stiliyan Petrov
Another modern Celtic legend, Stiliyan Petrov was one of the best players in Scotland in the 2000s.
A key player in the Bhoys’ run to this final, Petrov played 50 times in 2002/03 while scoring 14 goals from the midfield.
Neil Lennon misses out, but we’re sure even he wouldn’t argue against Petrov having a spot in this side.
LM – Alan Thompson
Ryan Kent’s move to the right in this side was to accommodate Alan Thompson down the left.
The talented winger was the first Celtic player to earn an England cap while plying his trade in Glasgow, and that’s a massive testament to his abililty down the left wing.
ST – Henrik Larsson
An absolute shoo-in for this team Henrik Larsson was so nearly the hero in Seville for Celtic.
The Swedish legend netted a brace in the final, but sadly for Celtic, that wasn’t enough to overcome Jose Mourinho’s Porto on the day.
However, after netting 242 goals for Celtic, it’s fair to say that Larsson more than deserves his place in this team.
ST – Chris Sutton
Chris Sutton and Henrik Larsson had an incredible partnership together up front, and we’ve replicated that in our side.
Alfredo Morelos has every right to feel aggrieved after missing out here, and while the Colombian could argue that he’s just as good as Sutton, the chemistry between Larsson and the former Blackburn man is unmatched. Therefore, Sutton gets the nod up top.
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