‘You’ve done us proud, regardless, and I genuinely mean it.’
Ally McCoist revealed what he told the Rangers players pitchside ahead of their Europa League final clash with Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.
On Wednesday night, the Glasgow club will play in their first European final since 2008, when McCoist was assistant to manager Walter Smith as Rangers lost the UEFA Cup 2-0 to Zenit St. Petersburg.
Ally McCoist on speaking to the Rangers players.
McCoist revealed his pitchside chat with Connor Goldson and John Lundstram ahead of the biggest game for the club in over a decade.
The 59-year-old told the pair, regardless of the result in the final, to “try and soak it in” and enjoy the occasion of a European final.
“I’m so envious, but envious isn’t the right word, we’ve all had our day,” McCoist told talkSPORT.
“I had a wee chat pitchside last night with Connor Goldson and the big man Lundstrom, and it was just so wonderful to look at their eyes. They were looking about the stadium and it was as if they wanted to pinch themselves and say, ‘Are we really here?’
“I gave them both a cuddle and I just said, ‘Do you know something? You’ve done us proud, regardless, and I genuinely mean it, regardless of what happens tonight you’ll obviously do your best, but try and soak it in, try and take everything in’.”
McCoist reveals his conversation with Rangers management.
McCoist spoke about his conversation with manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst and first-team coach Roy Makaay.
The former Rangers boss revealed the management wants the players to “enjoy the experience because you may never be here again.”
“I spoke to Gio and Roy Makaay and they were brilliant, both coaches,” McCoist added.
“They were saying look we’re trying to make it, not another game because it’s clearly not just another game, but they were just trying to play down the whole situation, saying to the boys, ‘Whatever you do, enjoy the experience because you may never be here again’.”
Rangers face Frankfurt at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium on Wednesday, with kick-off at 8:00 pm.
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