by Scott Gibson

Rangers comfortably overcame Dutch side Feyenoord at Ibrox on Thursday night as they won 1-0 on what was the first game since the passing of former Rangers skipper Fernando Ricksen.

Before the start of the match, there was minutes silence to remember the 43-year-old who had been battling Motor Neurone Disease since 2013. The Ibrox crowd were on their feet on the second minute of the match for a minutes applause for the former number two with banners and shirts being raised with remembrance messages of the Dutchman.

The Glasgow side were deserved winners of their first Europa League group stage match after largely dominating the game from start to finish with Sheyi Ojo having the clinical finish on the 24th Minute after James Tavernier missed from the penalty spot just before.

https://twitter.com/sheyi_ojo/status/1174807858296295427

Cameron Bell, from the Heart and Hand podcast, was in attendance of the game last night and believes that the Rangers players should take the result and use it as a springboard for the upcoming European fixtures.

“It was an excellent result and a solid performance full of grit, determination and quality. It’s just pleasing to have Scottish teams representing us in Europe.

“We have to understand and believe that we belong in this group. We’re the first team to ever progress through four rounds of qualifying, twice. We can qualify from this group. It’ll be difficult in Switzerland with no away supporters but if we can take maximum points at home anything away, is a bonus. Teams will not fancy coming to Ibrox.”

Bell believes that there were some standout performers on Thursday, claiming that it was Borna Barisic’s best game in a Rangers shirt, which has since earned him a place in UEFA’s ‘Europa League Dream Team of the week’.

Although the result was one of such high importance, Bell was still reminiscent of what was an incredible tribute of Fernando Ricksen.

“It’s the first time in my near 40 years of going to Rangers games that both sets of players and officials joined in for a minutes applause during a match. He made an impact on people and touch the hearts of many. He will be sadly missed and never forgotten by the club.

Full Interview with Cameron Bell

Rangers next travel to Bern, Switzerland to face Young Boys on the 3rd of October.