Gio happy veteran McGregor’s got final chance

GIOVANNI VAN BRONCKHORST admits he is thrilled Allan McGregor will have a second chance to play in a European final. But the Rangers manager can’t yet say if next Wednesday’s showdown with Eintracht Frankfurt will be McGregor’s last game for the club. The 40-year-old was part of the Ibrox squad in 2008 but missed the UEFA Cup final defeat to Zenit St Petersburg through injury. His enduring excellence will now be key to Rangers’ hopes of sealing Europa League glory, with talks about a possible contract extension postponed until the end of the season. While the Scottish Cup final against Hearts comes three days after the trip to Seville,

Jon McLaughlin has been in goal for the Ibrox side throughout that competition to date. ‘I spoke to Allan about it this week — he missed the final in 2008 but he has another chance to play in a European final next week,’ said Van Bronckhorst. ‘I’m really happy about that because he is a very experienced player. You always need a good balance and mix between experience and talents. I think we have that at the moment. We are sitting down with all the experienced players after the season. I think it’s important for them to concentrate on the final week and then we’ll see what happens.’ Van Bronckhorst also believes injured stars such as Alfredo Morelos, Filip Helander and Ianis Hagi will play a role in backing the squad as they seek Rangers’ first European trophy in 50 years. So prolific in the Europa League, Morelos has returned from a break in his native Colombia to step up rehabilitation on a season-ending thigh injury. Van Bronckhorst said: ‘They have a very important influence on the team. We will take everyone with us to be together.’ Van Bronckhorst also confirmed today’s closing Premiership trip to Tynecastle — a dress rehearsal for the Scottish Cup final a week today — will see more changes to the Rangers line-up ahead of Seville. He added: ‘Obviously we are getting close to the final. You can expect changes with the line-up.’