Postpublished at 22:42 British Summer Time 16 May 2022

Rangers face Eintracht Frankfurt in Wednesday's Europa League final in Seville
A decade ago, they were in Scotland's League 2
Fans who have been on that journey tell us their stories
John: The highs and lows of a Rangers fan through these troubled times was, for me, encapsulated in the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow.
Throughout the confusion and shock of what was happening, myself and my father stood abreast to support the team we loved and cherished. Attending Ibrox with lower league visitors became the norm. Football at times unworthy of the expectations of the fans that dwelled in the glory years of Souness and Smith.
My father's health had deteriorated so much that attending matches became painful on his cancer-ridden body; but to see his team became his morphine for that 90 minutes. Not always pleasure on the park, but pleasure as Rangers plodded forward up the leagues until a stumbling block against Motherwell delayed the masterplan.
My dad's health waited but always as we sat in the cancer wards in Glasgow, replaying yesterday's match became the norm - too frail to attend matches but always an eye on what was happening. Stories of Rangers of old were spoken and I realised his love for the club wasn't merely superficial but a way of life.
As the leap to the Premiership beckoned, my dad's health and days were numbered. We were sitting around his bed and at nine o'clock he started mumbling. We gasped, as we had thought he had taken his last breath. But no. "John, what's the score?". Tears of pain in my eyes. "Dad, we won tonight". He replied "we are back".
My dad passed away a few weeks later. My family remember that night fondly. I remember my dad as a great man. As a Rangers man. Through controversy and the pain of cancer, his drive was to see Rangers back to their rightful place.
In my life I was taught to follow my heart and be a champion. My father believed Rangers Football Club would always return to the top due to their forefathers' belief that they will always be the best, always rise above, always set the way. He installed that in me and, through the toughest time in the club's history he believed - even on his dying bed - that Rangers would one day get to their rightful place.
In our darkest hour, the power of our fans got us through the darkness and on Wednesday we will shine brightly, just as in the sky my Dad will be shining, looking down on an amazing club with a history like no other.
Gordon Stevenson: Rewind to 2008. I would be 14 and I couldn't believe my eyes. I've just watched Nacho Novo score the winning penalty to take us to the final of the Uefa Cup. My dad - in his late 40s at the time - told me this would be one of Rangers' greatest achievements and I believed him.
When I was younger we had a brilliant team. Lorenzo Amoruso was my favourite player. But in 2008, this was one of the poorer squads I'd seen. We had absolutely no right to be beating the teams we did on the road to that final, but we did and we deserved our place.
To talk about greatest achievements, you need to compare the greatest disappointment. By this point, I had relocated to Devon. Its 2011 and the shocking news is Rangers have gone into administration. This isn't even the low. My dad explains to me what is going on, and the severity of what is about to happen to my club sets in. Before we know, we are walking out to our first game in the third division.
I'm so glad I'd relocated from Glasgow. I don't think i could have withstood the constant jokes at the expense of my club. Nonetheless myself and my dad were quite amused, watching from afar, and see it as a great journey back to where we belong. That amusement was quickly replaced with frustration as we draw 2-2 with Peterhead.
Nonetheless, we begin to make that journey back to the top and finally make it into the Championship. The loss to Motherwell in the play-offs hurt, but we weren't ready. The loss in the Scottish Cup final to Hibs really, really hurt. But again we weren't quite back to our best. We needed that injection of winning mentality. It was plain to see.
We finally make it back to the Premiership and have to endure Celtic's dominance. By now Steven Gerrard has taken the reigns and, while still not without failure, the improvement is clear to see. Ten in a row is in Celtic's sights and we only had one job that season. Stop them. We did it, and 55 was secured.
I didn't think that would be topped, but it has, and it's now. This is the greatest achievement I have seen my club complete, and regardless of what the final holds, the fact I get to see Rangers walk into another European final after everything that we had to endure has almost (almost) been worth it.
But how can you talk about a low after the high of the last three weeks? Well, football and family go together like Hateley and McCoist, or Tavernier and goals. My low point in the last five years is that my dad passed away before Rangers won their 55th title. A season-ticket holder for 20 years, watching some unbelievable games and growing up watching some of the best players in the world (so he would say) was such a privilege. We shared the 2008 final and this is something I'll never forget.
I wish I could share this moment with him. I wish I could celebrate with him and be swept up in the sheer joy that is created by your team scoring a goal. Its safe to say not being able to share 55 or this European journey with him is definitely my low and something I wish I could change, but you know what would make it all the better? To bring that European trophy home from Seville, to be able to say Glasgow Rangers are European champions in my lifetime. That really would be our greatest ever achievement.
Stephen Leitch: The best part was the sense of calmness and pride that Steven Gerard brought back to the club. Suddenly it was all clear again. Everything was going to be ok with him in charge.
Carlyn Campbell: I've been a season-ticket holder for nearly 30 years, through thick and thin, and throughout the long journey back from the bottom tier. At Brechin in 2012, I was pictured with my son outside the ground as we started our journey back. Never did I think on that day beside the hedge we would ever be back in another Euro final in my lifetime.
Through all the trials and tribulations - and there have been many on and off the pitch - I've been there. My son was only 11 at the Manchester final and not permitted a ticket, but we both have a ticket for Seville and I can't wait to get a picture with him outside that Stadium to put with ours from Brechin as a testimony to our journey.
John Macaskill: I've been a blue nose since the early 70's when I can remember the grainy black and white footage of the famous Barca Bears winning the Cup Winners' Cup final. And the magnificent Scottish Cup final win against Celtic the following year. But what has transpired these past few years will likely top the lot.
Highs would be few and far between on our journey back from the abyss of liquidation. Winning each league title on our way are high points, I suppose. Beating Celtic in that Scottish Cup semi when in a league below them was pretty special.
However, since arriving back in the top flight there have been dizzying high points. Signing Steven Gerrard was a masterstroke. This led onto title 55 and our sensational return to the top of Scottish football. An invincible season and a title celebrated like no other.
The Europa League runs have been utterly fantastic. Becoming relevant on that stage has been a particular high point. Then this season's managerial change culminating in a European run like never before all the way to the final in Seville. Spellbinding stuff. The cherry on top is an opportunity to finally win the Scottish Cup against Hearts on the final day of the season.
To think I said to a colleague it would be 20 or more years before Rangers could recover from the dreadful circumstances that relegated then to the bottom tier to once again be a relevant force.
The lows are many and varied. I will highlight just a few. I don't get to many games due to where I live but 12 Feb, 2011 was one. Me, my old man, my son, my best mate, his brother-in-law, and his two sons. It was a 50th birthday treat for my mate. We had a tour of the stadium the day before and the tour guide was in pieces... after 40 years at Ibrox she was losing her job. Tears were shed (and not just by her).
Administration had been announced. The dark clouds were gathering. Then the game - a dispiriting 1-0 loss to Kilmarnock. Games to follow in the intervening years against Peterhead, Annan Athletic, Montrose, Elgin City et all. Teams that used to be in the Highland League when I was growing up, now coming to Ibrox and winning.
I particularly remember one against Peterhead. Sitting in the Broomloan with my old man and my son. A 2-0 loss. But it wasn't so much the defeat as the manner of it. These were part-timers playing better football. Looking fitter. More skilled, with better touch and awareness. It was soul destroying.
On another occasion, I travelled down from Aberdeenshire with my old man and met my son, who had come through from Edinburgh where he was at Napier University. It was against Montrose and we were hanging onto a 1-0 lead going into the last 10 minutes. All the talk around us was how unjust the score was and how it flattered us.
To nobody's surprise, a Montrose midfielder picked up a loose pass, strode forward purposefully and unchallenged, and unleashed a bullet into the top corner. To top the day off, we stopped in a chipper in Auchterarder on the way home. We parked up and the chipper was rammed full of a busload of Montrose fans.
The lows were many. Progres Niederkorn. Ooft. The very mention of that name still brings me out in a cold sweat. Our then-gaffer Pedro Caixinha arguing with fans in a hedge following our most humiliating result ever in Europe.
Another shuddering low. Losing legends like Sandy Jardine, Walter Smith, and more recently Jimmy Bell have hurt the Rangers family. However, the irrepressible Super Ally and all us blue noses around the world are now experiencing scenes of unbridled joy we never thought we would see again in our lifetime.
Kathleen Sludden: I have been a season-ticket holder for around 18 years. I used to take my daughter with me from the age of three and she would sit on my knee eating her grapes. For Christmas in 2011, her Auntie (who attends Ibrox with me), bought her a half season ticket. The excitement didn't last long as we were relegated to the bottom tier that season.
She was eight at the time and has sat through the lower divisions, midweek games against Montrose in a half-empty stadium in miserable weather. It has been brilliant sharing all these experiences with her. Ups and downs.
She was six when Rangers reached the Uefa Cup final and cried when myself and her Aunt left to attend the game. I was gutted for her as thought this would have been a once in a lifetime event. It's now her turn to experience this. Unfortunately, we have been unsuccessful in securing tickets. However, we will celebrate and make memories. Its been the most amazing journey and to have shared it with my daughter is just something that I will hold dear to me until the day I die.
Steven: I remember being a teenager, going into my 20s, and feeling the world of football was over for me. No more Champions League nights for Rangers ever again. I remember going to a game against Peterhead and my dad saying: "Don't worry. We will be back." He believed, and so I did.
Ally McCoist's address to the fans was a highlight when he said "one or two take a kick while they have a chance because we will be back where we belong". At this point it was about support and the belief.
Then of course, the promotions. Another football hero of mine, Steven Gerrard, taking over, and steady progression before beating European regulars. I believed after the title we could win the Europa and I can't wait for the final. Win or lose, this achievement is up there with the best for a team who hit rock bottom less than 10 years ago. Amazing.
Tom Turner: When Rangers almost went out of business, my American wife casually commented that I could just find another team to support. I told her I'd have an easier time finding another wife.
When the club started playing again - in the fourth tier - I remember Google mapping the locations of the games and looking at the "stadiums" wondering what the traveling fans were thinking. It was a sad time, but we're back. Good luck in Seville.
Alasdair: Most of the games I managed to get to that stick out are lows. A 3-3 draw with Stenhousemuir in League One at Ibrox. The 3-1 Scottish Cup semi-final loss against Dundee United in 2014 at Ibrox. The 5-1 Old Firm defeat under Pedro Caixinha.
My highlights include celebrating the first win over Celtic in many years from my flat which was a stone's throw from a big Celtic pub in the Merchant City, and being proven so very wrong when I dreaded Dortmund coming to Ibrox. I thought 2008 was our finest hour, but this may well top it.
David White: I took my nephew to his first game at Ibrox in March 2012. Annan were the opposition that day, and 15 mins into the second half, with Rangers 0-2 down, the wee man turned to me and said "Uncle David, the number 11 is good." As scanned the programme to find the Rangers' players name for him, I realised and told him we didn't have a number 11. "I know, but Annan do," he said.
He called me after the Braga game to remind me of that day, and how far we have come.
Jim Moore: Three memories that will stay with me forever...
Thursday night in the Copland Road as we qualified for the final. I've never experienced anything like that at Ibrox and I genuinely can't think of any other circumstance that would come close to creating that kind of noise and atmosphere again.
The whole 55 season was incredible but the night we got it over the line and partied into the wee hours after lockdown was special and we thought that it was the journey's completion... little did we know.
The last and most pertinent to me was the night Ally McCoist was let go by Rangers. He was my boyhood hero and I was DJing at a function in the stadium that night. I had a wander around before I started and the place looked dreadful. The carpets were threadbare and the panelling and picture frames in the corridor outside the Blue Room were all chipped and worn. I shed tears at the state Green, Whyte etc had let the the club get to.
We're now on our sixth generation of fans in the family - my great grandfather had walked miles to that stadium to watch the Rangers play and these people had almost destroyed everything the club had achieved, stood for and represented. To go from that to this in the space of a handful of years is absolutely incredible and I'm so glad I've been able to witness it.
Alan Wilkin: The low point was when we lost to Hibs in the cup final in 2016. We'd been through so much and had a shot at silverware but it wasn't to be.
The highs have come in the form of winning our 55th league title without losing a game. I remember feeling proper elation as we steam-rolled the league. And this year... Walter Smith - God rest his soul - had achieved something amazing in 2008. However this time it's not been backs-to-the-wall stuff. We've played teams off the park, destroyed Dortmund away from home and turned Ibrox into a fortress that even the most accomplished European teams will fear.
This run in Europe has lifted the average Rangers fan to new heights of pride - a final on a shoestring budget - this is a club like no other - We are Rangers.
Graeme Goodman: There is one distinct memory that I hold onto because supporting Rangers has never been an easy task. We'd hit rock bottom and in early January 2013, I laid at home ill while watching us play at Annan. We won and I think Lee McCulloch scored a penalty, but Annan did have the last laugh though, as they won at Ibrox later in the season. It's games like these that make you grateful and appreciate how far we've come.
Mark Hunter: I remember nine years ago, going with my wife to a vintage clothing event. She realised I was bored, and sent me to a pub to watch Rangers versus Brechin City while she browsed the stalls.
I bought a pint, and settled down to watch my team. The game ended in a draw, and I saw Rangers players having to fetch the ball for themselves from the hedge. Other customers in the pub were laughing. I left the pub with a tear running down my cheek at the realisation of how low my beloved Rangers had fallen.
After the Europa semi-final, I left Ibrox and again had tears running freely down my now considerably older face. For the third time in my life, I will witness Rangers in a European final. This turnaround in such a relatively short space of time is nothing short of miraculous and every supporter who stuck by the club during the wilderness years should be proud at the part they have played in helping the club get to Seville.
Aidan Hourston: I was two when Rangers went to Manchester, so my first memories of them was in the lower leagues. To see them in a major European final now is beyond my wildest dreams. All I've known is the journey from the bottom to the top, and now we really are at the top.
John Brownlie: I think how far we have come even from the Pedro Caixinha period is phenomenal. The quality of player was dreadful, the only highlight probably Alfredo Morelos signing. Defeat by Progres Niederkorn was a real low.
So to achieve a league championship under Steven Gerrard and now taking that on with Giovanni van Bronckhorst is quite incredible considering some of the sides Rangers have disposed of and also other sides who were competing in the Europa League.
Jack: I can remember travelling up to Ibrox from Preston in January 2013 for a match against Montrose. It was easily the coldest I've ever been and one of the worst matches I have ever witnessed live. Montrose's late equaliser - a screamer, by the way - only compounded my misery.
I can remember leaving the ground that day thinking we would never ever get back to the heights of where we were before, and that this was now the norm for a very long time. To now be in a European final less than 10 years later is pretty unbelievable and do not let anyone underestimate how much of an achievement this is.
David: I remember going to see Stirling Albion on 23 March, 2013 on a bitterly cold Saturday afternoon. It was my first time back at Ibrox since a pre-season friendly against Manchester City in 2009. The game against Albion finished 0-0 and the one thing I remember was looking around the full stadium and thinking to myself, how times have changed.
But like many, I kept going and supporting the team and, in 2015, I decided to buy a season ticket with my uncle and have been going ever since. We were at the game against RB Leipzig and all the emotions came spilling out in those 90 minutes. We were cheering, screaming, bouncing, clapping, hugging, smiling... I even saw people crying. Because when you think back 10 years ago, you would never think that we we would be anywhere near a European final. It's a fairy tale.
David Ford: A key moment for me are the services of one man during the worst time in Rangers history. I think Ally McCoist has to be given great credit for his part in the resurrection from the pits of Scottish football. He stood by the club and helped get the team out of the grave when it wasn't glamorous. His DNA will be all over that Europa League trophy when they lift it. What a man, what a legend. He doesn't get the credit he deserves.