Smith is stunned that ‘The Journey’ has led all the way from the Scottish game’s basement to Seville
Having been at Rangers when they were at their lowest ebb, Gordon Smith is relishing the transformation in the club’s fortunes.
The former SFA Chief Executive was the club’s Director of Football when it went into its financial meltdown in 2012.
He quit soon after they went into administration with the turmoil at the Ibrox outfit hitting him hard.
“It was a tough time and to see how it has all turned around from then has been incredible,” Smith said, as he reflected on the qualification to the Europa League Final, secured with victory over RB Leipzig last Thursday night.
“At its worst, we really had no idea what the future would hold.
“And even if we think that the following year the club was playing against teams in the bottom tier – securing the title with a win against East Stirling – it has been a long, long, way back.
“They had to go and play at some of the smallest grounds in the land and try to impose themselves on part- time footballers in their environment.
“From being at that level to the stage where you are potentially 90 minutes away from lifting a European trophy is fantastic.
“The club has completely rebuilt itself over the last decade, on and off the park, and now all roads lead to Seville.
“It should be a magnificent occasion.”
An occasion that Smith, part of Rangers 1977- 78 Treble- winning team, is confident can end with James Tavernier lifting the trophy.
“There is every reason to believe they can now go on and win it,” said the 67-year-old.
“They are playing to a standard that shows they can compete with the bigger teams.
“As much as the performances and atmosphere in all the home games has been excellent, for me the key was the away win over Borussia Dortmund.
“Getting four goals in Germany was an incredible achievement and I think that was when the belief came that they could go all the way.
“They did brilliantly to win the league last year and, through that success, to get themselves into this position.
“This year, though, has been exceptional. That is now 18 games they have played in Europe this season, the Final will be their 19th.
“Remember too that as much as the league now looks gone, they
were challenging for three trophies for much of the campaign.
“Since getting through the group stages they have knocked out teams from Portugal, Serbia and Germany – those are major countries.
“Those same players who accomplished those feats must feel they have got a chance to go on and beat Eintracht Frankfurt.”
Which, Smith argues, would place them right at the pinnacle of those who have represented Rangers.
“This is the fifth time Rangers have been in a European final and these players have a great opportunity to make themselves legends,” he said.
“This is 50th anniversary of 1972 and if anyone ever asks me who the Rangers best are, then I would probably direct them to the side who won the Cup Winners’ Cup in Barcelona.
“These players now have the opportunity to go and do the same.
“They are one game away from not just from winning a major European tournament but also from going straight into the group stage of the Champions League next season.
“To have two teams at that level would only be good for the Scottish game.”
In ways potentially less obvious than just the £40 million reward for each club who qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.
“You would think this could be a big boost in terms of recruitment. Of course because of funds but also due to the extra visibility you get with these runs,” he stated.
“Players in England must be looking at what Connor Goldson, James Tavernier, John Lundstram and Glen Kamara have achieved up here and seeing Scotland as being somewhere you go to really enhance your reputation.
“And if you turn it the other way, you have Nathan Patterson who left for Everton during the season must be looking at it saying I could have been part of a team that won a European trophy if I’d stayed put.
“Don’t get me wrong, that move brought in really good money for the club ( some £ 16- million) and I believe he will go on to do really well for both Scotland and Everton.
“But he has lost out a little bit and he will know it because these are exciting times to be playing in Scotland.”