Europa League final: Rangers run ‘worked wonders’ for Scottish football, says John Lundstram | Soccer News

John Lundstram says the Rangers players are ready for a final test in the Europa League with their memorable run to the final doing “wonders” for Scottish football.

The Ibrox side’s journey to the final in Sevilla was filled with giant kills and comebacks and those wins over Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig make Lundstram believe that the glory of the Europa League is theirs.

“I think the guys deserve a lot of credit, I think we stood the test,” the midfielder said sky sports.

“I think it brought out the best in all of us.

“To be fair coming to Ibrox I think we can beat anyone with the crowd behind us and now we just have to do it on the European stage away from home.”

The midfielder, who was signed by former boss Steven Gerrard last summer, has been instrumental in Rangers’ European success this season.

The 28-year-old striker who died against Leipzig on a famous night in the floodlights at Ibrox sent them to their first European final in 14 years.

“It’s a huge club to come into, a lot of pressure at the start of the gates. Hitting the ground playing for Steven was huge for me.

“I think it added a bit of pressure playing for my childhood hero, but a run of games has helped me this season.

“You see it with better players than me at bigger clubs. That’s how it is and I’m absolutely thrilled.

“My main ambition was to play in Europe. Initially it was to try and get the Champions League because I thought it was achievable, but it wasn’t supposed to be.

“Reaching a final of a major competition is very special and I can’t wait to be there.”

Rangers’ victory at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium will guarantee Champions League group stage football for next season, with Celtic already assured of a place after reclaiming the Scottish Premiership title.

Lundstram believe they deserve full credit for their results and performances in Europe this season.

“I think we’ve done wonders for Scottish football by going this far.

“I remember Liverpool coming this far 4/5 years ago and my hometown was absolutely bustling.

“We were beaten by Sevilla in the final and I remember how important it was for the club.

“So for Rangers it was absolutely huge.”

One final boost for Europa League glory

Eintracht Frankfurt have also been impressive in their run to the Europa League final and haven’t lost a single game.

Their domestic form, on the other hand, has been erratic.

As Rangers warmed up for Wednesday’s final with a 3-1 away win against Hearts as the Scottish Premiership drew to a close, the German side drew 1-1 with Borussia Mönchengladbach to finish 11th in the Bundesliga.

Lundstram is paying no attention to their league form as Rangers seek to lift a European trophy for only the second time in the club’s history.

“There are a few nerves, but the excitement is the biggest thing,” he said.

“We’ve seen the run they’ve had in Europe this year.

“I don’t think they lost a game, so it’s going to be a real tough fight for us.

“They played some really exciting stuff against some of the really big teams in the competition.

“Of course we will face it, but we are ready for the challenge.”