John Lundstram hit a dramatic late winner to send Rangers into their first European final for 14 years with a🍏 3-2 aggregate victory over RB Leipzig in the Europa League semi-final.
At a rocking Ibrox, the home side started with intent🍏 as captain James Tavernier opened the scoring early on to become the leading scorer in the competition this season with🍏 seven goals.
Glen Kamara added a second before the half-hour mark in a game dedicated to legendary Rangers kit man Jimmy🍏 Bell, who died earlier this week.
Christopher Nkunku then levelled the tie for Leipzig in the second half, but Lundstram smashed🍏 home the winner in the 80th minute.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Former Rangers striker Kris🍏 Boyd describes his former side's 'unbelievable achievement' as they beat RB Leipzig to reach the Europa League final in Seville
Rangers🍏 face Eintracht Frankfurt - who beat West Ham 3-1 on aggregate - in the Europa League final in Seville on🍏 May 18, looking to go one better than in 2008 when they lost the UEFA Cup final to Zenit Saint🍏 Petersburg.
How Rangers reached the Europa League final
This was Rangers' 18th game in UEFA competitions this season and also one of🍏 their biggest European games at Ibrox since they beat Bayern Munich 2-0 in the 1972 European Cup Winners' Cup semi-final🍏 second leg on their way to winning the trophy.
Image: James Tavernier opened the scoring for Rangers at Ibrox
Early on, both🍏 sides battled frantically for control before visiting keeper and skipper Peter Gulacsi saved a long-distance drive from Jack in the🍏 seventh minute. Willi Orban then headed a corner wide at the other end.
However, right-back Tavernier, who scored twice against Braga🍏 in the previous round at Ibrox, struck the first blow, racing in at the back post to knock in a🍏 cross from Ryan Kent after good work by Kamara.
Image: Glen Kamara made it 2-0 before half-time
More mayhem ensued when Joe🍏 Aribo played in Scott Wright to lay the ball off to Kamara who guided a left-footed shot from outside the🍏 box past the outstretched arms of Gulacsi. Ibrox was rocking.
Aribo then miss-kicked from five yards out after being set up🍏 by Tavernier's header from Borna Barisic's deep cross.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Boyd was speaking🍏 at the perfect time on SSN just as Glen Kamara's goal went in...
Just before the break, makeshift centre-forward Aribo then🍏 fell to the ground after blocking a powerful free-kick from Angelino with his face and was replaced by Fashion Sakala.
With🍏 defenders Connor Goldson, Calvin Bassey and Barisic booked in the first half, the home side had to be cautious -🍏 yet retain a threat - as the Bundesliga outfit went in search of a tie leveller.
Image: Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku levelled🍏 the tie
Wright and Ryan Jack made way for Scott Arfield and Leon Balogun just before the hour-mark as the visitors🍏 began to dominate.
Gers keeper Allan McGregor made a great save from Konrad Laimer's drive but moments later he had no🍏 chance when Angelino crossed from the left for Nkunku to volley in from 10 yards and the pendulum looked like🍏 it had swung towards the visitors.
Image: John Lundstram's late goal sent Rangers into the Europa League final
But only until Lundstram🍏 pounced when Kent's cross from the left was cleared to his feet 12 yards from goal and he gleefully drove🍏 it low into the net.
Rangers were on their way to Seville.
Rangers react after a famous night at Ibrox
Please use Chrome🍏 browser for a more accessible video player Giovanni van Bronckhorst reflects on an emotional and dramatic night as Rangers reach🍏 the final of the Europa League after beating RB Leipzig.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst could not hide his pride for his🍏 players:
"It's very hard to find the words. It's been an amazing night.
"We said before the game we'd do everything possible.🍏 The players were fantastic. You can't write a script better than this. We're all very proud. We toasted inside to🍏 Jimmy [Bell] for this one.
"The two opening goals were fantastic, just like we wanted. We knew Leipzig would come at🍏 us, then to score in last 10 minutes gives you an enormous boost.
"Not many players can play European finals. It's🍏 not for every player. Once we're there, we need to do everything to win it. It's remarkable."
Image: James Tavernier is🍏 the top scorer in the Europa League this season
Captain James Tavernier believes they can lift the trophy in Seville:
He told🍏 BT Sport: "First and foremost, we wanted to do it for Jimmy (Bell), and I'm super proud of the effort🍏 that all the lads put in, all the staff, and all the fans today. He'd be looking down proud, so🍏 would Walter (Smith). I'm absolutely delighted, we're through to the final and you can hear the noise, unbelievable.
"We'll obviously go🍏 there (to the final) full of confidence but Frankfurt got into the final for a reason. So it's one game,🍏 and we fully back ourselves, and we'll give everything like we did tonight.
"We obviously want to win it, we're in🍏 this competition to win, we're a club that wins trophies and that's what we want to do. We want to🍏 make all the fans proud - I know we'll be taking a lot over, so it will be great scenes."
Image:🍏 John Lundstram's strike sent Rangers through to the Europa League final
John Lundstram dedicated his winning goal to Jimmy Bell:
"I can't🍏 put it into words. I came in with a good feeling, look at the place, but to actually go out🍏 and do it, I can't put it into words.
"We've been through so many ups and downs this season but to🍏 come through it and reach a Europa League final, wow.
"It's my best night by a country mile. Playing in the🍏 Premier League was a massive achievement, but to get to a European final...
"Words can't describe how much Jimmy [Bell] meant🍏 to everyone. He was the bedrock of the team. I want to dedicate the goal tonight to him, I love🍏 him to bits."
What's next?
It's back to domestic action for Rangers on Sunday as they host Dundee United in the Scottish🍏 Premiership.
