Sands feels the hand of history as Rangers get set for big day
James Sands was blown away by the history in Ibrox trophy room when he first joined Rangers – but the American midfielder would give the iconic display cases a modern twist.
Among the decades of medals and memorabilia, he believes there is space to exhibit two more items as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s team bids to win both the Europa League and Scottish Cup in the coming days.
A walk round the room at the top of the marble staircase was a learning experience for Sands, on-loan from New York City FC, but he’d like to help leave a legacy.
“One of the first days I was here I toured the Trophy Room. There is not much space in there but I think they could make room for a couple more. It is special and there are not many clubs in the world who have that. For me to be playing for one of those clubs has been pretty unreal.
“You know it is old, there is a lot of history, and speaking to the guys in the team or staff, you start to realise how important it is to be playing in a European final.
“My friends and family who watch on TV see what a big deal it is to play for this club.”
One American family who need no reminder are the Reynas – dad Claudio and Sands’ USA team-mate Gio. The pair were on opposing sides earlier in the Europa League but now the Borussia Dortmund midfielder is backing Rangers against German rivals Frankfurt.
“I think he’s definitely pulling for us,” Sands admitted. “When we played them, I got a chance to see his whole family and all of them have fond memories of Rangers. Gio is too young but his mum and dad have special memories of this place. I’ve known Gio for
a while so playing against him was pretty cool. Tyler Adams is at Leipzig. It is nice to get one over on those guys.”
And Sands has used his Bundesliga contacts for some added intel on Eintracht ahead of Wednesday.
“I have talked to a couple of friends and they said they’re a good side, counter-attacking and have some quality up front. It is nothing we haven’t faced already in this competition.
Immortalised in song at Ibrox with Belinda Carlisle’s ‘Heaven is a place on Earth’, John Lundstram’s midfield displays and Europa League semi-final winner won the hearts – and voices – of the Rangers crowd who had taken time to warm to the ‘silky Scouser’.
Now settled into Glasgow and a firm fixture in Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side, there are parallels with Sands’ start
to city life beyond their versatility in defence and midfield where the Englishman has set the example of what can be achieved with patience – and then performances.
“Heisquitetheplayertolearn from,” said Sands. “Even from the bench, seeing how he handles the game, he is very calm and he has that switch when he is off the ball that all the top players have. I think he is a great example of how things take time as well. The first half of the season he wasn’t in the squad much and now he has been the most important player. I think that is a good lesson.”
The catchy chorus is not only a sign of a growing affection but recognition of recent displays that have prompted fans to laud him as ‘the best on earth’.
“I would love to have a song,” added Sands. “I have got to put in some performances before that.”
Calvin Bassey is well aware of the magnitude of Rangers’ Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville on Wednesday.
The Light Blues are in their first European final in 14 years and are looking to win their first piece of continental silverware since the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Bassey recalled some tricky moments during this season’s thrilling cup run as he looked forward to Spain but knows what victory over the Bundesliga outfit will mean.
The 22-year-old Nigeria defender said: “I’m obviously excited for the occasion.
“There’s no shying away. It’s a massive day for the club and for us. And it’s a massive opportunity for us to make history.
“For us, it was never about thinking too far ahead. It’s been about taking each game as it’s comes, then building from that.
“We’ve had games where we’ve looked like we’re out, 1-0 against Braga, 1-0 down against Leipzig. But we just kept pushing through.
“So for us it’s just been about taking each game as it comes. Now it’s just amazing to be in the final.”
We’ve got a purpose, says Bassey, to win it for the fans and for Jimmy
Rangers have already beaten Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig on the way to the final and both sides finished above Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga.
However, Bassey said: “For usitdoesn’tchangeanything. We know they’re a good team. “We’re preparing well for them. We’re not expecting for anything less than what Dortmund or Leipzig gave us.”
Thousands of Gers fans will travel to Seville, many without tickets, and Bassey has heard some “crazy stories” about how they are getting there.
He said: “I’m still trying to sort out my family as well. It’s been carnage. People have
been saying, ‘get in suitcases’ and stuff like that.
“I know there’s going to be an amazing support behind us, as there always is. Whether that’s in the stadium or not, yeah, it will be rocking.”
Rangers only have an official
ticket allocation of around 9,500.
And Bassey says the Ibrox side will be going all out to win the trophy for those who cannot get tickets as well as Jimmy Bell, the popular Gers kitman who died recently.
He said: “I know the 9,000 in there [Seville] will be screaming for the 50,000 or 60,000 that can’t be there.
“For us, it’s just about going there and getting the job done. It’s a bit harder when you don’t have your full home support but we’ve got a purpose – to do it for them and to do it for Jimmy as well. He played a massive part at this club, a massive part to all us boys individually.”