Arthur's Column // 3rd May 2022

The performance by the Rangers team against Celtic on Sunday was first class and they will go into Thursday night's game high in confidence. Giovanni got every last drop out of his starting line-up and his substitutes. They all played their part in the 1-1 draw.

Sure, in an ideal world, we would have won the game and put that extra wee bit of pressure on Celtb going into the final three league games. But we didn't lose the game and showed tremendous character and spirit to come from a goal down and then go so close to winning the game.

In my view, the Europa League semi-final was more important. It is now upon us and we are ready. It would be great to have Kemar Roofe fit and available for selection. Of that there is no doubt. But the emergence of Fashion Sakala on Sunday is a huge plus. He was very quiet in the first-half and did not offer too much in an attacking sense. But he came out after the interval and gave the Celtic defence a torrid time. His pace had them worried time and time again.

His goal was a superb finish. It needed to be to drill the ball past a goalkeeper of Joe Hart's quality.

Fashion was a threat in the air and won his share of headers from set-pieces. He had a chance to be a hero by scoring the winning goal but he struck a post as he was clean through on goal.

I think Fashion will be on a high and he will have learned plenty during that 90 minutes on Sunday. What an education that will have been for him.

He will be desperate to be given the nod by Giovanni to start against Leipzig.

It's one of a number of decisions Giovanni will need to make between now and Thursday evening. I will trust his judgement. He has got most things right in European football this season and we have every chance of making the Final on May 18th.

We are only one goal down and all we have to do is win the game at Ibrox.

Of course, the Bundesliga side is highly talented and they will be dangerous on the counter-attack. But we will have almost 50,000 supporters behind us and that will be crucial. If we all stay together for the 90 minutes we have an outstanding chance.

This can be a very special night.

Good luck to Giovanni and the players and enjoy the game!