West Lothian Courier

Young Rangers fan makes dad so proud

He congratula­tes rival fans after Euro disappoint­ment

- LIAM SMILLIE

A Whitburn dad has shared how proud he is of his young Rangers-mad son who took the time to congratula­te Frankfurt fans after their devastatin­g defeat of the Light Blues in Seville.

Cooper Millar, aged 10, took off for the Europa League Final via London with his dad Dale Millar (33).

And the Whitdale primary school pupil has earned the respect of thousands of football fans across Europe for his response to the defeat in Seville last week.

The season ticket-holding father and son stayed in Villamarti­n for four days before getting up at 6am to travel seven hours via bus to Seville to watch the Europa Final.

More than 100,000 Gers fans travelled to Seville to support the team – their only previous win in Spain happening 50 years ago at the 1972 European Cup Winners final.

Despite ultimately losing out to the German team after a tense penalty shoot-out Cooper, a season ticket holder, managed to stay positive despite his young age and huge hopes for the game.

Proud dad Dale told the Courier: “We got a taxi from the stadium and we were exhausted after the game, we’d been up all day.

“It was roasting and I was upset because my son didn’t get to see our team win the final.

“It was Cooper who comforted me in the taxi though, after I told him ‘keep your chin up, we might be here next year,’ he said right back ‘it’s fine, we did well to get here’.

“He has a great attitude for his age. “I always say he’s like a wee old man with the way he acts!”

The video, originally posted by Dale has been widely shared across social media, garnering hundreds of likes and comments applauding the 10-year-old.

Dale went on: “The video on Facebook really blew up. I think it’s got something mad like 110,000 views now.

“Every second comment has been something like ‘a lot of adults could learn off of this wee boy’ and they’re right, I’m so proud of him.

“I took Cooper to his first Rangers game when he was two, and I have always been worried about the bigotry aspect of football.

“It’s been a big family thing for us, but I’ve tried to keep my son away from the ugly side of it and he’s definitely got the right attitude.”

Dale added: “He doesn’t take it home with him, and he loves his team.”

He’s definitely got the right attitude. He doesn’t take it home with him and loves his team

 ?? ?? Proud moment Cooper congratula­tes Eintracht Frankfurt fans after their Europa League win
Proud moment Cooper congratula­tes Eintracht Frankfurt fans after their Europa League win
 ?? ?? On their way Cooper with dad Dale on the bus to the game
On their way Cooper with dad Dale on the bus to the game

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