Jimmy was 22 in ’72, he’s ’72 in 22 ..and he has got a final ticket again
A GRANDAD was left in tears after being given tickets to see his beloved Rangers in Spain – 50 years after watching them lift the European Cup Winners’ Cup in the same country.
Jimmy Gilbert’s heartfelt reaction was caught on camera after his family surprised him with the “gold dust” briefs at his home in Neilston, Renfrewshire on Sunday night.
The 72-year-old flew to Malaga from Prestwick Airport yesterday with son-in-law Stephen Birtwhistle and grandson Alfie Lavelle, 11. The trio will then get a train to Seville tomorrow. Jimmy was in Barcelona in 1972 to watch Rangers lift the Cup Winners’ Cup after beating Dynamo Moscow 3-2. He forked out just £45 for a three-day trip, including a match ticket – a fraction of the £750 spent this time around.
His daughter Sharon said: “My husband Stephen booked tickets to travel to Seville after Rangers beat Borussia Dortmund back in February.
“They all knew they were going to Spain but my husband luckily got the chance of tickets through somebody he works with. But they kept it a secret from my dad until
Sunday night. That was the video of him getting the tickets with my son and his grandson Alfie. It’s gone viral.
“The tickets are like gold dust so they’re all over the moon.”
She added: “My dad was 22 in 1972 when Rangers won the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
“Now, in 2022, he’s 72 so it’s the same numbers but the other way around. It means the absolute world to my dad to make memories with his grandson.
“Taking Alfie to Seville with him is a dream for my dad but to actually be able to go to the game together is amazing. He was so overcome with emotion last night. I can’t put into words what it means to him.
“And when Alfie was born, he was always telling him that he had to support Rangers. So that’s why Alfie supports them – because of his papa.”
Primary 7 pupil Alfie is said to be “over the moon” and, unsurprisingly, isn’t too bothered that he’ll be missing his three-day taster session at Castlehead High School.
A video of Jimmy’s speechless reaction has been viewed more than 50,000 times after being shared on Twitter.