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      Rangers 2 Hearts 0 (AET) Ryan Jack and Scott Wright win Scottish Cup as Light Blues end emotional week with silverware

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      RANGERS ensured an emotional week ended on a high as they tasted Scottish Cup glory for the first time since 2009 after a 2-0 win over Hearts.Ryan Jack and Scott Wright were the goalscoring heroes as Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men recovered from Thursday’s Europa League heartbreak in impressive fashion, securing silverware despite being taken to extra time for the second time in just three days.
      Ryan Jack thunders in the opening goal at HampdenCredit: Reuters
      The midfielder celebrates his wonder strikeCredit: Reuters
      There was some shock team news before the game, as Amad Diallo was given a start for Rangers, with several Europa League final stars on the bench after that gruelling clash with Eintracht Frankfurt. Aaron Ramsey and Kemar Roofe were left on the bench.
      On the other side, the Light Blues came up against a man who will be a team mate next season in John Souttar, who found himself in the rather unique position of making his farewell Hearts appearance against the club that will employ him in a matter of days.
      It was a frantic start at the national stadium and Willie Collum was reaching for his yellow card inside the opening three minutes.
      Peter Haring went flying into a heavy tackle on Calvin Bassey, with his studs catching the Rangers defender on the ankle.
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Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-1x7hydu::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -0.5px);}.css-1x7hydu::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Read More Football.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-ybrhvy{width:100%;}.css-18wqsel{display:inline-block;transition-property:color;transition-duration:200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 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0;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);}.css-1v3dtak{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;width:100%;max-height:88px;border-width:1px 1px 1px 0;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);}.css-dtw7ih{height:88px;}.css-1rnk8xe{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;height:88px;}.css-x4dv1g{padding:2px 12px;max-height:75px;overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:2;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1px;}.css-xqtbmf{padding:2px 12px;max-height:75px;overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:2;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1px;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}CUP CHAOS .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Hampden evacuated hours before Rangers v Hearts Scottish Cup final
      It was a painful one for Bassey and a crunching challenge, but yellow was probably just about correct, although there probably couldn’t have been many complaints if the ref had opted for a harsher punishment.
      The first big opening of the game went the way of Hearts and it was a huge chance. Robbie Neilson set his side up to press high from the off, and it almost paid dividends.
      Ellis Simms challenged Leon Balogun for a long, high ball, winning the dual and nodding the ball on to Nathaniel Atkinson.
      The Australian then fed Liam Boyce, who sent the ball across goal where Simms was charging in towards the goal.
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      The Hearts man got there, but perhaps went with the wrong foot, stretching for the ball with his right instead of his lift. He got contact on it, but the ball went away from goal, struck the post and trickled to safety.
      Big, big chance for Hearts! 💜Ellis Simms just can’t get enough on it on the stretch, and the post saves Rangers 😮 pic.twitter.com/M0XA5AtHql— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) May 21, 2022

      Rangers grew into the game, and a few half chances came in quick succession.
      A superb Connor Goldson cross field pass set Diallo away and clear in behind Alex Cochrane, but his ball across the box was a tame one and Hearts fired the ball to safety with Joe Aribo and Ryan Kent waiting.
      Moments later, Steven Davis miscued an effort on the edge of the box, although the ball fortunately found its way to Scott Arfield.
      But the former Canada man couldn’t make a breakthrough as his powerful effort was well blocked by Souttar.
      Simms was causing the Rangers defence a fair bit of havoc, and it was his presence and hold up play that led to an opportunity for Barrie McKay.
      But he blazed the ball over from just outside the area.
      Ryan Kent, perhaps still reeling from his dramatic late, saved attempt in the Europa League final, was having a quiet afternoon but he burst into life on 27 minutes by fashioning a chance for himself.
      The winger took possession form Joe Aribo, and despite close attention from a couple of Hearts defenders, he shuffled the ball from his right foot to left. Unfortunately for Kent, there wasn’t a finish to match the footwork as his low shot skidded well wide of Craig Gordon’s goal.
      Calvin Bassey, Rangers’ stand-out performer in Seville on Wednesday, was proving a threat here down the left hand side and he created two big chances in the closing stages of the first half.
      The first saw the Nigeria international, once again at left back after Borna Barisic’s injury in midweek, sent in a tremendous ball to the edge of the six yard box where Aribo, once again performing as a false nine, got on the end of it.
      But his header lacked any real power or direction, and the ball flashed wide of Gordon’s far post.
      Three minutes before the half time whistle, Bassey fired in another tremendous cross, this time to the back stick. Diallo was the man looking to make the most of this one, but he mistimed his jump, got underneath the ball and sent it harmlessly over the bar. That was it for an entertaining, albeit goalless, first 45 at Hampden.
      It was a fairly quiet start to the second half, at least from a chance perspective as both sides struggled to break down stubborn defences.
      Gordon hadn’t had anything of note to do until he was called into action 12 minutes into the second period.
      A lovely ball over the top from Diallo from just inside his own half sent Kent clear of the Jambos backline and the pacey former Liverpool man was bearing down on goal.
      But showing the excellent form that has earned him player of the year awards, Hearts’ 39-year old ‘keeper read the situation every inch of the way and was there to smother the danger before Kent could get an effort away.
      Craig Gordon gets out fast to deny Ryan KentCredit: Willie Vass
      Diallo picked up the game’s second caution for a crunching challenge on Boyce, and his heart might have been in his mouth just a couple of minutes after when he caught McKay a little late.
      There wasn’t much in it, and that’s how Willie Collum saw it, and there was no need for further punishment.
      It did ultimately lead to the end of Diallo’s afternoon, and he was replaced on 63 minutes with Scott Wright being send on in his place.
      Hearts were struggling to create anything of note, but they showed their intentions when Nathaniel Atkinson fizzed in a fantastic curling ball from the right, but it was just too heavy for Simms to get anything on it.
      Wright injected a bit of life into the Rangers performance and they enjoyed another good, attacking spell as the final 15 minutes approached.
      The sub showed lovely skill to send Aribo away, but his cross across the face of goal never looked like finding anyone, with Scott Arfield the better option near the penalty spot.
      Bassey, having another superb game, then decided to take matters into his own hands. The big defender stepped up and found himself on the edge of the penalty area.
      He showed great feet and skill to skip past a couple of Hearts defenders, and his low effort was pushed away from goal by Gordon, and eventually gathered.
      Rangers were in control, and should really have made it 1-0 with six minutes left to play with their best chance of the game.
      James Tavernier swung in a fantastic corner that was met powerfully by Leon Balogun at the near post. In terms of contact, the centre back couldn’t have met it any better. But he couldn’t keep the header down and it skimmed across the top of the net.
      Craig Gordon was a hero for Hearts in the semi final against rivals Hibs, pulling off a number of superb saves, most notably a stunning stop from Ryan Porteous.
      He was at it again here as the final entered stoppage time. Joe Aribo shuffled the ball into a shooting position, and despite a shirt pull from Atkinson, he managed to get a powerful, low driven effort towards goal.
      The Scotland number one somehow stuck out a leg and almost beyond belief, diverted the ball just past the post and out for a corner.
      What a save from Craig Gordon! 🖐️It’s going to be extra time in the Scottish Cup final after that outstanding stop from the Hearts keeper 💜 pic.twitter.com/543Wall8HG— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) May 21, 2022

      It was as truly stunning save, and replays showed just how good it was. An absolutely incredible stop from the goalie.
      Giovanni van Bronckhorst was calling for a penalty – there was a clear shirt pull on Aribo just before he got his attempt away, but the advantage had already been played.
      The Rangers pressure was relentless until the very end, and there was still time for another chance. It was from a corner again, and it was Scott Wright this time who did brilliantly to flick the ball towards goal with his head.
      This time, the crossbar denied the Light Blues and that was that. Once again, Rangers were off to extra time.
      The Ibrox men were showing no sign of slowing down and another fantastic chance passed them by in the opening couple of minutes.
      It was Bassey again with another fantastic cross, and in similar fashion to Diallo’s first chance effort, Aribo got underneath and sent the ball high and over the bar when the net should really have been bursting.
      But Rangers didn’t have to wait too long to finally make their deserved breakthrough and in absolutely sensational fashion.
      Ryan Jack, sent on towards the end of normal time, was the somewhat unlikely hero and it was an absolute wonder strike on 94 minutes.
      Ryan Jack BLASTS Rangers in front in extra time! 🔵A rocket that could win the Scottish Cup for Rangers if Hearts don’t come up with a response now 🚀 pic.twitter.com/D8IUOCxIXX— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) May 21, 2022

      A corner was cleared to the edge of the area where the midfielder was waiting to pick up the scraps, and he had enough time to take a touch to set himself. He did just that before unleashing an absolute piledriver of an effort that thundered past Gordon and into the net via the underside of the bar.
      A special strike, and an outpouring of relief and celebration for the Rangers fans packed into the national stadium after an emotional week.
      After that, it was one of those cases of the floodgates threatening to open. Hearts had been toiling since mid-way through the second half, and Rangers, despite heading into extra time for the second time in three days, looked as fresh as ever.
      The Light Blues were repeatedly carving the Jambos open, and it was 2-0 just three minutes after Jack’s opener.

      The Hearts defence was nowhere to be seen whatsoever as Ryan Kent thundered through the middle. He then laid the ball off for the impressive Wright, who should great feet and composure to drill a low effort away from Gordon and into the bottom corner.
      Hearts looked dead on their feet, and it was Rangers who were threatening to add a bit of gloss to the scoreline.
      They cut open the defence once again as the first period of extra time drew to its conclusion, although Kent this time sent an effort high and wide of the goal.
      Fashion Sakala was sent on for the closing stages as Rangers looked to make the most of the joy they were getting on the break.
      He got clean through as the Light B lues looked for a third, but the popular Zambian couldn’t get anything behind his effort and it trickled into Gordon’s arms.
      Allan McGregor’s future has been the subject of much discussion this season, and it looks like the 40-year old’s decision has been made.
      With cup goalie Jon McLaughlin in sticks, Giovanni van Bronckhorst sent McGregor on for the final minute in what was clearly his farewell moment.
      McGregor, who began his Ibrox career at the end of the last century, came on a standing ovation form both his team mates and supporters in another emotional moment.
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.css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}I flew 5,000 miles for a first date with a girl I’ve never met
      It finished 2-0 and Rangers have something to show for a remarkable campaign.
      The cup hoo-doo is over too – Giovanni van Bronckhorst has secured the club their first domestic trophy for a staggering 11 years, and even more incredibly, a first Scottish Cup success since 2009.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Hampden evacuated hours before Rangers v Hearts Scottish Cup final as fire service answer alarm call

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      HAMPDEN PARK was EVACUATED this morning ahead of one of its biggest matches of the season. The fire service were alerted just after 10.30am this morning, with all staff told to leave their posts ahead of the Rangers-Hearts Scottish Cup final as one fire engine was sent out to the Mount Florida ground to investigate.
      Hampden was evacuated just hours before Scottish Cup Final kick off.Credit: Steve Welsh
      Hampden was evacuated just hours before Scottish Cup Final kick off.Credit: Steve Welsh
      It has subsequently been confirmed as a FALSE alarm but the incident just minutes before hospitality guests were due to arrive has put organisers under serve pressure.
      Wealthy football fans have been paying up to £500 for slap-up lunches ahead of the big match.
      After all checks were undertaken, staff were finally allowed back into the venue shortly after 11am.
      The eagerly awaited clash kicks off at 3pm with coverage of the clash on Premier Sports 1 starting at 2.30pm.
      Meanwhile, the match could see Rangers hero Connor Goldson making his final appearance in a Gers jersey.
      Ibrox boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst has admitted there’s only a ‘small’ chance the big defender remains a Gers player after the Hampden clash with Hearts.
      Goldson has been an almost ever-present since joining from Brighton in the summer of 2018 but his contract is up and despite talks, there’s no sign of a new deal being penned.
      He’s been a key part of the side that won the Premiership title last season and got all the way to the Europa League final this time around.
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      Van Bronckhorst, however, hasn’t completely given up hope of retaining the 29-year old beyond the end of the campaign, insisting he still hopes the former Brighton man is part of his team next season.
      Speaking ahead of the cup final against the Jambos, van Bronckhorst said: “Regarding Connor, the club has been in talks with him to extend his contract. So far he didn’t extend it.
      “But, the chance he will still be a Rangers player tomorrow I think will be small but as I said, I would love to have Connor in the team next year.
      “As you see quite a lot when players get out of contract, there are two possibilities. To keep playing for Rangers or move on and to have another challenge.
      “I still have in my mind that he will be a part of Rangers next season. If that’s my feeling or the reality we will have to watch in the coming weeks.”
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      Rangers fall guy Aaron Ramsey WILL take penalty against Scotland if it goes to a shootout says Wales boss

      by

      Wales manager Robert Page insists Aaron Ramsey will recover from his Rangers penalty misery and has backed him to take a World Cup play-off final spot-kick should he be needed to.Ramsey missed the decisive penalty on Wednesday as Rangers suffered Europa League final heartbreak to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.
      Aaron Ramsey could take a penalty against ScotlandCredit: Willie Vass
      But Page has backed Ramsey to take a spot-kick against Scotland or Ukraine in Cardiff on June 5 should qualification for Qatar 2022 be decided by a shoot-out.
      Asked if he still had faith in Ramsey, Page replied: “Absolutely, 100 per cent.
      “It happens to the best in the world. Top players, they put themselves up.
      “I am so proud of him for putting himself up (to take a penalty for Rangers), he is a world-class footballer.
      “He had the courage and conviction to take a penalty. Top players recover from that, no problem.
      “I have no doubt whatsoever if it comes to penalties that he will take one.”
      Ramsey has joined captain Gareth Bale in a 27-man squad for a hectic June programme that also includes four Nations League matches – home and away against Holland, a trip to Poland and a visit from Belgium.
      Bale has made just two cameo substitute appearances for Real Madrid since scoring both goals in Wales’ 2-1 World Cup play-off semi-final victory over Austria on March 24.
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      The 32-year-old has been absent from Real’s last five matchday squads with a back problem.
      But Bale has returned to training in the Spanish capital and is on course to be available for Real’s Champions League final date with Liverpool on May 28.
      Bale’s nine-year stay in Madrid is set to end this summer, with talk of him signing a short-term deal – possibly at hometown club Cardiff – should Wales qualify for their first World Cup in 64 years.
      Page said: “I think everybody is probably thinking the same thing (about Bale’s future).
      “It will depend on how results go with regards to what he does next season with a club.
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      “The only person who can answer that is Gareth. All I know is whenever he turns up for us he is first class.
      “The full focus on himself is winning this game against Ukraine or Scotland, so he can worry about that after.
      “He is here for the full duration (Wales’ final game next month is away to Holland on June 14), he has made that really clear to me.”
      Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward and Bournemouth forward Kieffer Moore both return to the squad after missing the March camp through injury.
      Everton striker Nathan Broadhead, who has netted 13 goals in 26 appearances during an injury-hit loan spell at Sunderland, receives his first senior call-up.
      Page insists his entire squad will travel to Poland for the opening Nations League game in Wroclaw on June 1
      Huddersfield’s Sorba Thomas and Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson are both involved in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final at Wembley three days earlier.

      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      in Soccer

      Who Rangers can face in Champions League qualifying after Europa heartache and how they can still be seeded above Celtic

      by

      IT was a match with a cool £60m resting on the outcome – but they couldn’t bring the trophy back to Glasgow. But Rangers still have one last chance to claim an estimated £40m bounty from participation in the Champions League group stages next season after their Europa League final heartache – via the more conventional qualification route.
      A gutted Giovanni van Bronckhorst after the penaltiesCredit: Getty
      Van Bronckhorst consoles gutted skipper James TavernierCredit: Getty
      And if they make it past two rounds of competition, they could even end up a pot ABOVE Premiership champions Celtic in the group stages.
      It is Eintracht Frankfurt – and not the Gers – who go straight in among the top eight seeds for next season’s Champions League, not to mention getting the privilege of battling it out with either Real Madrid or Liverpool in the Super Cup final in Helsinki in August.
      While Rangers lick their wounds after that luckless defeat on penalty kicks in Seville, thoughts at Ibrox turn to Saturday’s Scottish Cup final with Hearts – and then the summer qualifiers.
      And the good news for the Gers is that their recent exploits in Europe mean that they will be SEEDED for both the third qualifying round and play-off round.
      That will keep them away from Portuguese giants Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv – should the Ukrainians make it through their second round tie – in the third qualifying round.
      While one more team will be seeded and not every league in Europe is completed, for now the teams they could face in the third qualifying round are Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven, the third placed finisher in France, which is currently Marseille.
      Austrians Sturm Graz and surprise Belgian runners up Union Saint-Gilloise are also definite possibilties, as are last season’s Celtic tormentors Midjytlland, assuming they can make it past the second qualifying round.
      The second placed team in Cyprus, currently APOEL Nicosia, and the second placed side in Turkey , currently Fenerbahce, are also possibilities.
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      Get through the third qualifying round and they would then battle it out over two legs for a spot in the group stages.
      Make it that far, and Rangers could even be ranked a pot ABOVE Celtic in the groups, by dint of their superior club ranking, 50.25 to 33.00.
      Ange Postecoglou”s men will almost certainly be in Pot 4.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More

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      Rangers WAGs descend on Seville as footie stars train for Europa League final

      by

      THE Rangers squad are hoping to make club history by winning the Europa League tonight. It isn’t long now until the Ibrox side run out against Eintracht Frankfurt at the Estadio Ramon-Pizjuan in Seville hoping to land only the second major continental honour in the club’s history.
      The Rangers WAGs have been enjoying rooftop drinks before tonight’s game
      They’re in Seville to cheer on the squadCredit: instagram
      Around 100,000 Gers fans have descended on the Spanish city for the big game.
      And the proud girlfriends and wives of the Light Blues team are no exception.
      The Rangers WAGs have been enjoying rooftop drinks in the sunshine ahead of kick off.
      Ryan Jack’s wife Ashleigh was spotted with the girlfriends of Alex Lowry (Jess Molloy), Ryan Kent (Kirsty Spence) and Andy Firth (Bethan Cowie).
      The glam group later explored the streets of Seville with Glen Kamara’s girlfriend, Olivia Anderson.
      They also enjoyed a ride in a horse and carriage, waving at crowds of jubilant Light Blues supporters.
      And the proud WAGs even gave fans a sneak peek of their men in action at training ahead of the big game tonight.
      Aaron Ramsey’s wife Colleen is also on her way to Seville, sharing snaps from the flight.
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      Giovanni van Bronckhorst insists his squad are ready to rise to the occasion in the Europa League final.
      The Ibrox boss — who has striker Kemar Roofe available — insists the pressure will bring the best out of his Rangers side.
      He said: “I feel very proud to be the manager of this team and even prouder to take the boys into the final.
      “It’s going to be an exciting final but a final is always nice until you lose it. When you lose it, you don’t like it. We’re here to win it.”
      Excited Gers fans have been enjoying the sun as they prepare to watch their team go for glory.
      More than 100,000 fans are thought to have made their way to the Spanish city from all over the world to watch Rangers face Eintracht Frankfurt in the crucial showdown.
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0;border-style:solid;border-color:rgba(155,201,183,1);}.css-dtw7ih{height:88px;}.css-1rnk8xe{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-align-content:center;-ms-flex-line-pack:center;align-content:center;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:flex-start;justify-content:flex-start;height:88px;}.css-x4dv1g{padding:2px 12px;max-height:75px;overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:2;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1px;}.css-xqtbmf{padding:2px 12px;max-height:75px;overflow:hidden;-webkit-line-clamp:2;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;display:-webkit-box;word-wrap:break-word;line-height:1px;}.css-i1acvs{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,99,73,1);text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-i1acvs:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}TAPAS AFF .css-8h3gc3{margin:0;padding:0;color:rgba(34,37,38,1);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:The Sun;font-size:18px;line-height:1.333;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:normal;display:inline;}.css-8h3gc3:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}Rangers fans enjoy pints in Seville sunshine as fans flock to Europa final
      Around 20,000 Rangers supporters are expected to attend the match itself after their allocation was doubled in a late ticket boost to travelling supporters.
      Others, meanwhile, will watch on in the city’s bars and pubs, as well as taking in the fixture from a big screen at the La Cartuja stadium in the outskirts of the city.
      Colleen Ramsey enroute to SevilleCredit: instagram
      Glen Kamara’s girlfriend is also in the city
      We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at scoop@thesun.co.uk or call 0141 420 5300 More

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      Rangers icon Andy Goram ‘rushed to hospital with severe stomach pains’ following cancer diagnosis

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      ANDY GORAM is set to undergo a procedure after being rushed into hospital with ‘severe stomach pains’, a close friend has revealed.The Rangers legend was diagnosed with cancer last month.
      Rangers hero Andy Goram during playing days
      ‘The Goalie’ was discharged last week from Wishaw General where he received the shock news.
      But close pal Stan Gordon has revealed the 58-year-old has since returned to hospital.
      Following a routine meeting with an oncologist to discuss potential treatment for his cancer, he was rushed to a ward at Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride on Wednesday.
      He spoke a few words at a supporter’s dinner last week where he said Rangers’ Europa League semi-final win was ‘the best medicine.
      Stan said the 9-in-a-row icon was experiencing ‘severe stomach pains’ with tests set to begin to check if a stent inserted in his gullet previously was still in place.
      He also revealed Goram had received widespread support from Rangers and Celtic supporters as well as best wishes from across the world.
      Those messages and visits from former team-mates are said to have ‘kept him fighting’ during what was described as ‘the worst two weeks of his life.’
      Stan told the Daily Record: “After being released from Wishaw General last Friday, Andy had a routine meeting with the oncologist at Hairmyres to discuss possible treatment for his cancer.
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      “He had severe stomach pains on Monday and Tuesday.
      “On Wednesday, he was rushed up to a ward. He will get scoped to see if the stent inserted into his gullet a few weeks ago is still properly in place.
      “Andy would like to thank everyone for the cards and best wishes from the world over – from Celtic fans and ex-players, the whole Rangers family and a vast amount of former team-mates who have visited him.”
      He added: “The visits from friends, along with family, have kept him fighting. Especially his son Danny, who was beside him for the worst two weeks of his life.
      “He wants to say a massive ‘thank you’ to every member of staff in Ward 18 at Wishaw General for that period and the staff he’s had so far at Hairmyres.”
      Goram shocked fans last week during his first public appearance since the diagnosis when saying a few words at a supporter’s dinner.
      Speaking the day after Rangers beat Leipzig at Ibrox to secure a Europa League spot, Goram said: “Last night was the best medicine I’ve ever f****** had.”
      After receiving applause, Goram added: “Roll on Seville.”
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      Steven Gerrard ‘ponders Rangers transfer raid’ as Aston Villa boss could return for Europa League key man

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      FORMER Rangers boss Steven Gerrard is pondering a move to take one of his former Ibrox stars to Aston Villa, according to a report.Calvin Bassey has come of age as an Ibrox first teamer this season, playing a huge role as Rangers have made it to Wednesday’s Europa League final.
      Rangers’ Calvin Bassey during trainingCredit: Reuters
      Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard with Robbie FowlerCredit: PA
      And that hasn’t gone unnoticed, according to the Telegraph, who claims that Villa boss Gerrard is interested in bringing him to the Midlands to compete for the left back spot with former Everton man Lucas Digne.
      Persuaded north from Leicester City for just £230,000, Bassey is under contract until 2024 but his value will have soared on the back of a season which has seen him become one of the first names on the Ibrox team sheet.
      While Gers fans will be loathed to lose an emerging talent, there could be serious money on the table.
      The Telegraph claims that he and Bologna’s Scotland star Aaron Hickey are the two emerging talents being tracked by ambitious Villa, who yesterday completed a permanent deal for Philippe Coutinho.
      Meanwhile, Rangers hope an announcement on fan zones for travelling supporters for the Europa League final in Seville could come in the next 24 hours.
      The Ibrox men have been locked in talks with Spanish police, local authorities and European governing body UEFA about finding a ‘safe environment’ for their army of travelling fans.
      They said in a statement: “We are in dialogue with Spanish Police, local authorities and UEFA regarding a safe environment for supporters travelling, with and without tickets.”
      Ticketless fans had been urged NOT to travel to Seville or Paris for the Europa League and Champions League finals.
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      A Uefa statement warned supporters of Rangers and Liverpool without briefs not to make their way to the host cities or to try to buy resales or counterfeits.
      European football’s governing body UEFA is concerned about the security risk posed by large numbers of ticketless fans being in those cities, having seen the chaos which surrounded the Euro 2020 final at Wembley last summer.
      President Aleksander Ceferin said on Wednesday those scenes were “unacceptable” and should never be allowed to happen again.
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has criticised the official ticket allocation given to his club for the May 28 Champions League final with Real Madrid, and the price of the tickets.
      More than one-fifth of Liverpool’s allocation (categories one and two) will cost between £410 and £578.
      Almost 56 per cent are priced at £125, with nearly a quarter £50. Tickets on the secondary market are being advertised for well over £2,500 each.
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      Celtic are CHAMPIONS as Giorgos Giakoumakis goal seals crucial point against Dundee United

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      CELTIC are once again champions of Scotland.A 1-1 draw against Dundee United meant Ange Postecoglou’s men have secured the Premiership title with a game to spare.
      Giorgos Giakoumakis celebrates after scoring the title-clinching goalCredit: Getty
      The Hoops only required a point on the night to seal the league championship, having overturned a six-point deficit to Rangers since the winter break.
      Giorgos Giakoumakis got the title party in full flow with his opener eight minutes into the second half.
      One of Postecoglou’s summer signings, the Greek striker can be described as a late bloomer and his latest poacher’s effort was his tenth league goal in 17 appearances.
      Manchester United loanee Dylan Levitt levelled things for the hosts 20 minutes later with an absolute worldie but the celebrations didn’t stop for the travelling support.
      Daizen Maeda had a chance to win the match itself late on but flashed wide.
      Postecoglou’s side are still unbeaten in the league, their last defeat being a 1-0 defeat to Livingston in September.
      That game was Celtic’s sixth in the Premiership under Postecoglou and it didn’t get much better the following week with a draw at home to Dundee United.
      That left the Hoops with just seven points from their opening seven games – including an opening day defeat to Hearts – and few gave them and new boss Postecoglou a hope of turning things around.
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      But far from just turning things around, Postecoglou has genuinely galvanised everyone at Parkhead and Lennoxtown.
      After taking over from Neil Lennon in the summer, the Aussie had to rejuvenate and rebuild a squad that was haemorrhaging key players.
      Long-time captain Scott Brown was off to Aberdeen before he even arrived while talented trio Kris Ajer, Ryan Christie and Odsonne Edouard all left in the summer transfer window.
      Postecoglou had to find new blood and fast.
      Unfortunately there was too much upheaval for Celtic to make it into the Champions League as they crashed out to Midtjylland.
      The Champions League failure and the dodgy start to the league campaign had plenty of people wondering how long Postecoglou would last.
      But then the likes of Jota, Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi began to come good.
      Joe Hart proved a colossus between the sticks, the dominant type of goalkeeper the Hoops dearly missed a season earlier.
      Callum McGregor stepped up to the role of captain with aplomb. Anthony Ralston stepped up out of nowhere to become a revelation at right-back.
      And Tom Rogic was given a new lease life by his compatriot.
      The new-look Celts squad began to find its feet and by Christmas they weren’t far behind Rangers.
      The Old Firm derby in February proved a massive turning point, with Gers still dealing with their own managerial change as Giovanni van Bronckhorst replaced Steven Gerrard.
      As the season went on, Celts crashed out of Europe while Rangers kept fighting (all the way to the Europa League final) and it meant the Hoops were able to put their foot on the gas and overhaul their city rivals.
      A 2-1 win at Ibrox put the title basically beyond the reach of the Light Blues men but it wasn’t until tonight’s win at Tannadice, ironically where the Hoops officially LOST the league last season) that the title was officially sealed.

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