When the Rangers players walk out onto the pitch at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, they will be 90 minutes away from having their status as legends secured.

The majority of this group have been together for at least three seasons. Ryan Kent described their journey as a “beautiful struggle” and, in many ways, it has been.

They have experienced failed title bids and disappointing cup defeats but last year they were invincible as they won arguably the most significant title in Rangers’ history.

All of those highs and lows, however, have built up to one historic night in Sevilla. If they beat Eintracht Frankfurt, they can become the second team to bring back a European trophy to Ibrox after John Greig led his side to the 1972 Cup Winners’ Cup.

Many of them never would have imagined reaching this final but they have repeatedly surpassed expectations this season.

They were born in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Oldham, London, Wolverhampton, Bradford, Belfast, Walsall, Chipata, Osijek, Tampere, New York and Berlin but Spain will be the defining place of their career if they pull it off.

Before they face Frankfurt, The Athletic spoke to mums, dads, brothers, sisters and childhood coaches of the squad, who wrote letters addressed to their loved ones to express how proud they are of what they have achieved and to wish them luck for the final.

Bernie Tavernier, captain James Tavernier’s mum

To James (or as everyone knew you when you were young, Mini Tav — and then Big Tav after Marcus came along),

If someone had said to me five years ago that my son was going to be in the Europa final I’d have laughed at them. You dream the biggest dreams for your children but you don’t think that one day you’ll be captain in a game like this.

I should have known, though, as while you were interested in your dad’s cars and motorbikes as a toddler, the main thing was always about kicking something at your feet. It really didn’t matter what.

I would read books about the best way to bring you up and I remember one being about George Best and the best foot to play with. You wanted to take free-kicks like David Beckham and we had a garden that sloped upwards, so we used to make goals at the top and I’d make you practice at the bottom just so you got it perfect in the top corner every time.

We might be having a completely different conversation if you had made a different decision when it came to which sport to play. You were good at swimming too so you had to make a big choice between that and football, but thankfully you chose Big Al’s training in Farsley.

Because you played a year above yourself due to the coach’s son being in your position, we decided they needed a good goalkeeper. For the rest of the season you played in sticks, took free kicks, corners. You did everything. If you could have played as a one-man team, you would have.

It didn’t matter what the weather was, we’d be there every week; £1 for the two hours. Us mums thought it was a great babysitting service, but people saw something in you.

Once you got picked up by Leeds you nearly ruined it for yourself, though! You were acting jack the lad, messing about at the back of training and getting told off. One day we got brought into the Portakabins where Bob Mackay and Gary Chapman told you to buck your ideas up or you’d ruin your career.

Do you remember when we would travel three times a week back to Leeds training? Then one time, against Newcastle, they ran out of players. You were told to go and play for them and at the end the academy head was asking why a boy living in Newcastle was playing in Leeds, so they got a ticking-off and you were signed soon after.

It’s funny how things all come together but, as proud as I am of everything you’ve achieved at Rangers, I’m even prouder of who you have become.

When we had moved from Bradford to Leeds, it was just me and you then. You were only eight when Marcus was born and I’d been in hospital, so we had got a neighbour to help us. But you were always there for him, even changing his nappies. You did everything for him, which meant you had to grow up before your time.

As a brother, I could not wish for a better person to guide him. Both of you have become mature, outstanding young men.

You were welcomed immediately in Glasgow. It helped with what people might say were goals that were actually crosses, but I knew you were aiming for the goal every time.

There have been a lot of ups and downs with this team the last seven years. You’ve always been strong, but you have your moments when you don’t want to talk and you need to be left alone for a day if it’s been a bad game. You’ve had some supporters write you off, but you’ve had the fans who will back you no matter what.

You’ve learned and developed at Rangers as a person, a player and a family man, who has a beautiful wife and children.

I’ve seen you play at Wembley for Rotherham in a play-off final, but I know how proud you are to be leading this team. You’ve grown with the club and the armband, and I know Glasgow is now your forever home.

I’ll be racing back from holiday in Trinidad & Tobago to Seville for the game and I will be bursting with pride.

All I can say is go out and live your dream. Be the role model to the children who look up to you like Lucas Radebe used to be when you’d queue up for autographs as a boy with a dream.

Good luck but, no matter what happens on Wednesday, I couldn’t be more proud of you.

Angie Arfield, Scott Arfield’s mum

I can still picture you now as that wee boy kicking a balloon around the living room and taking your Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles ball to bed every night. I can remember you being able to hold a conversation with your uncles about all the latest transfers by the age of six and having no idea where you learned it all.

You’re still the same cheeky boy as you were back then, the one Bob Malcolm pointed to and said, “The wee Blondie, bring him to Murieston for training”. Back then I always bought you and Stuart (brother) packs of Panini stickers if you scored, so my purse still hasn’t recovered!

I’m proud as punch and I never stop telling people that. The weekends spent running between you and Stuart’s games so I could see a half each, not feeling your toes with the cold, making pots of soup for the Murieston boys — I would do it all again in a heartbeat.

I knew in my heart you were going to make it as soon as John ‘Yogi’ Hughes used you as an example to the others when you were not long in the first team at Falkirk. You were totally and utterly dedicated, always out doing your road runs and belting the ball against the wall  It’s a wonder we didn’t get an ASBO but, for as noisy as you were, you loved shining your boots and you’d lay your kit out on the bed night before for the game, you were so excited.

The day you went from a boy to a man was when Yogi told you to buy a suit for the first team. We went to Asda and got you a suit and the rest for £49. You went into the changing room and said to the older boys, ‘None of your Armani shite, George at Asda is what you’re after’.

That swagger has been there from day dot, it’s your thing. When you were the singer in The Begbies, Eddie May and Yogi had to break it to you that you either wanted to be a rock star or a footballer. You’ve got a good voice but you made the right call!

You always used to say ‘Mum, when I make my millions I’ll make sure you don’t have to pay for a thing’ and I always used to say, because you liked Liverpool, there will be a caption ‘Arfield at Anfield’ one day. Well, this is even bigger but we won’t be collecting the newspapers like we did at Falkirk when the whole family wanted a copy of every interview you did.

I thought when you went to Huddersfield that might be the highlight but you’ve done more than you could ever have hoped for. That day you moved away was tough. We were both trying to be brave and hold it together but as soon as you were out of sight I burst into tears, only for you to then phone and said you had forgot the sat-nav so had to come back. That’s when the tears really came.

We’ll always be behind you every step of the way, just like when we were in Rome during the play-off final with Huddersfield that went to penalties and we managed to have a whole pub watching that game rather than Manchester United.

You’ve been through a lot of difficult times at a young age. Bob passing away on the pitch and when losing your dear friends Craig Gowans and Chris Mitchell. It was a heartbreaking time with Craig but you just found this inner strength to deal with it by throwing yourself into your football. You still wear the number 37 for Craig to this day and I know you play with him in your heart.

Your gran may not always remember that you’re not her little boy anymore, which certainly helps keeps you grounded, but she will be proud as anything.

I know how buzzing you have been these last weeks, walking about with that big smile on your face. When you came back up the road your goal was to win the league back. You’ve always liked a challenge and you’ve always believed that you can do it, so keep doing what you’ve always done my wee man. You’re simply the best.

Love Mum, Stuart and Andy x

Jodie Lundstram, John’s sister 

To John, our baby brother…

You’re the boy who has it all. The best family and girlfriend you could ever ask for and a career every Scouse lad dreams of after being signed by the person you grew up Blu-Tacking to our ma’s box room, the one and only Stevie G.

The one who was good at everything at school, sport, won every race, every egg and spoon, every football tournament — “Golden Balls” as Victoria Beckham would say.

The memories are endless, mainly of you never without a footy and the endless trips to Finch Farm and Netherton with me mum in her little Toyota that she couldn’t drive. I remember she would have steam coming out of her ears with the fright of having to drive some nights when me and me dad would still be in work. Then we would arrive and you would throw a sicky asking for Calpol so you didn’t have to train. When that would fail you would start claiming that the coaches would kick you all!

When I think back now, for a young lad at such a big institution like Everton all that pressure must have been terrifying, but your stoic nature and the support from our mum and dad always got you through it all.

I could go through a million stories but I’ll never forget the day you booted a footy through Clive the next door neighbour’s Rizla-thin living room window. We were absolutely shitting ourselves about him knocking and grassing to me dad!

But that was PG compared to how scared me and our Thomas used to be when we would be having one of our scraps as you would always win. You were that hard that sometimes me and our Tom would have to gang up on you but once again the true competitor in you was never going to be beaten (even though I was seven years older), so you would throw yourself down the stairs and pretend we had killed you so that we had to face me dad’s wrath. We would look at each other white-knuckled and shout down the stairs, “Are you dead John…?” to which you replied, “Yes!”

We’ve had so many laughs but where do I begin with your journey to the final? You had natural talent but luck comes into play in life sometimes and you have had your fair share of setbacks in this game.

You took those on and tackled them like the true athlete and professional you are. You climbed your way back up that ladder and you made it to the top of football. You have a captain-worthy attitude on and off the pitch and I am proud to say you are my baby brother.

Thanks for being there for me always, now go and smash it and show the world stage who you are.

Our big blockhead, our John. We are all so proud of you.

All my love, your big sis Jodie x

Alan Hutton, Allan McGregor’s best mate and former Rangers and Scotland team-mate

You’ve come along way from your Dunfermline days when I welcomed you back into the Rangers team and took you under my wing old yin — even though you stole all my toiletries!

Who would have thought back then you would go down as one of the greatest goalies ever to play for us with over 100 European appearances and too many trophies to count?

You’ve been an incredible servant to the famous Glasgow Rangers over the years, making saves that will stay in everyone’s memories for years to come. Bremen and Slavia Prague to name just a couple.

You have an amazing family that has supported you all the way with Cheryl leading the crew. We all love you to bits and know we will be cheering you on every step of the way!

So, it’s time to wheel you out again for what will hopefully be the most memorable game in history!

Love Cheryl, Jamie, Cole, Mags, Alan, Loui Leon and Kylie

Dino Barisic, Borna’s brother

Like every child, and every pair of brothers, we grew up playing football together dreaming of playing at big clubs one day. Your dream came true and because of that, mine did too.

You used to dream of playing for Croatia and Barcelona, idolising Ronaldinho and trying to follow Paolo Maldini who played in your position.

I remember travelling to the game against Rangers when you scored for Osijek all those years ago now. Even though Rangers went through, I was still celebrating because you had scored at such an historic stadium.

When you signed for Rangers we were the proudest family anywhere. Mum was crying that you were going to be leaving but we were trying to tell her that she should be happy as Rangers is such a great club with real fans and a great history.

When Dad and I were there to see you sign the contract alongside Steven Gerrard, a football icon, it was an indescribable feeling. If I could I would repeat that moment and feeling again and again.

There have been difficult moments for you personally and for the whole team, but I know that your greatest trait is to be strong in difficult moments. You have always come back and fought even harder to get out of those situations. Know that we are always with you, the lion of our family.

When you won the league last year we were so proud and happy. I celebrated with my friends right away and when you came home it was a real party.

If you win the final on Wednesday we will celebrate when you return home a champion of Europe, not just Scotland. We are very proud of you and there will be a lot of emotions watching you on Wednesday, just like now as I write.

I will never forget sharing moments like the win against Leipzig or the Old Firm game when you assisted (Nikola) Katic for the winning goal. These are the moments we dreamed of and some dreams come true.

Let’s go, brother, for the final. Your family and a large number of your friends are coming! We’re sending our support to the whole club, all the players and of course the fans!

Mom, Dad and brother love you! 💙💪

John Clegg, Ryan Kent’s first coach

I remember when you were only six years old and your dad Stan brought you to our first training session on Clayton Playing Fields. I was the manager of Chaddy End and desperately looking for players to join the team.

How relieved I was that you appeared! Even then I could see you were gifted. The way you ran with the ball is the same as you’ve been doing to these teams this season, albeit we used to play our games at Ten Acre Lane in the Manchester Mini Soccer League and now you’re on the big stage in Spain.

After the session I asked your dad if you would like to sign on and I’m thankful that we got to play a small part in setting you on your way.

You’ll remember that we had a very good team with you and Callum Buckley being the driving force in midfield. We didn’t lose many games and I remember that you hardly missed a training session or a match.

When Liverpool approached your dad about going to train with them at the end of the season, I was gutted. But deep down I was over the moon for you too. Hopefully, you enjoyed playing for Chaddy End as much as I did watching you.

I was going to include the picture your dad presented to me at your final presentation night, which was a large framed photo of you and Callum signing for Liverpool. Unfortunately, having moving houses over the years, I can’t find it.

If you bring back a winner’s medal, though, I’ll make sure me and my boy get a picture with you and your dad back at the pub!

It’s great to see you doing really well at Rangers and that you’ve found a home. All the best for Wednesday night!

Glen Roofe, Kemar Roofe’s dad

I think back to when you were 16. You came back from injury to play in a behind-closed-doors game at West Brom that was going to decide if you were going to be kept or released. What did you do? You scored four goals and we were asked into the office for you to sign your scholarship there and then.

I was so proud of you then and I’m so proud of you now, not only as a footballer but as a person too.

I’ve been with you since the first day you kicked a ball and I’ve always had every confidence in your ability. I used to love watching you play for your under-8s team and couldn’t wait for the next Sunday to watch you and your brother play the next match.

It hasn’t always been an easy journey but I want to praise you for overcoming the many obstacles you’ve experienced with injuries and the illness of your boy Cassius last year. You are totally dedicated to your family and your football career and you never stop looking to improve your game.

l am very proud of you and all you have achieved in life and I know how hard you’ve worked to get to this point. Good luck and stay composed as you always do.

Wedson Nyirenda, Nchanga Rangers and Fashion Sakala Jr’s first coach

I first saw your talent when I went to catch up on how my old club Nchanga Rangers were doing. I was watching the training session and my eye caught this speedy winger. When I asked I was told he was called Fashion, the man I came to know as Mr Ferrari.

You were a boy who grew up doing all sorts of village chores and you were always a very obedient son, but you had a dream and that dream you have pursued.

When I was assigned to help prepare the Zambia Under-20 national team for a regional tournament and later the AFCON Under-20 which we won here at home in Lusaka, you were an integral part of the golden team that brought joy to Zambians.

You have grown in stature and in mind. Whenever I have a one-to-one talk to you, I can see in your eyes how much hunger you have for success. I personally told you that what was coming in your life was going to be great and tomorrow you will play in the Europa League final.

Fashion, you are about to make history when Rangers win it. Even just reaching the final of this prestigious cup is a great achievement as you are the first Zambian to do so.

I am most proud of you, Fashion. You know our talks. Go and conquer. You are a warrior and born winner. Bring it home son, bring it home. We love you and I would love to see you score in the final. Go, Fashion, go!!!!

Jason Moore, Steven Davis’ brother-in-law

I remember you as a 16-year-old having just moved across the water and playing in the FA Youth Cup final for Aston Villa against a young Wayne Rooney. I was only 10 but I remember seeing how you went about preparing for matches. Almost 20 years on, you’ve not swayed at all and here you are in your second European final with the club you love.

Growing up where we did, it is a way of life. It was all of our boyhood dreams to pull on a Rangers and Northern Ireland top one day but you have lived the dream just about more than anyone.

Not too many people have this opportunity in their career but you’ve got a second bite at it after 2008. That was an amazing day being at the game with Tracey but I never thought I’d get back there in my lifetime, never mind you being part of the next squad!

It doesn’t surprise me what you’re still doing, though, and it probably doesn’t surprise you as you know how much work you put in. The dedication needed to live away from family from the age of 15, to stay up in Glasgow away from Tracey and the kids for two years while they were in Southampton, missing out on family events. They are all sacrifices I have seen you make to prolong your career but it is days like tomorrow that tie all of the sacrifices together.

I was speaking to you earlier in the week about the final and you would have thought you were playing in the first round of the Scottish Cup, you were that laid-back. You just take everything in your stride and I’ve no doubt that’s why you’re still playing the way you are now, especially with the help of your favourite pesto pasta before a game.

You’ve always been Rangers through and through and it has never left you. I know your first spell didn’t end how you wanted it and that it’s on your mind since that, one day, you were going to come back and win 55.

You’d never say too much but achieving what you set out to do by winning the league is the icing on the cake of your career, but to go and do this would be the icing on the icing.

It would be unbelievable to see you lift that trophy. It means way more to you and the boys, more than just a cup. You’re doing it for everyone in the community and the club you love. There aren’t many ways to top off your career but this would be it.

If you win this trophy I might finally give you the 100 per cent seal of approval when it comes to Tracey after all these years!

Ashley King, Leon’s mum 

Nana still maintains you were destined to be a footballer from birth the way you kicked everything off your feet and Granda will tell anyone who will listen that, if he didn’t take you down the field to play for endless hours at crossbar challenge and penalties, you wouldn’t be where you are today.

I remember taking you to Mini Kickers at Bellahouston when you were three and when the ball came to your feet you picked it up and ran to me. I said you might not be a footballer, but you might be a dancer since you used to travel all over with me for my cheerleading coaching!

We still remember the day you were asked at the age of five to come into the Rangers training centre to be part of the elite group on a Sunday night. Never did we imagine that after 13 years your journey would have brought you to the final of the Europa League!

Your journey at Rangers has always been portrayed as an amazing journey due to playing multiple years ahead of your age and making that dream debut at the age of 16, but that’s all down to you. You sacrificed parties and nights out with your pals for training, and that tunnel vision has put you here.

It’s not been easy being a young man coming into an adult dressing room but you have pushed yourself and overcome every hurdle on the way. Everything you have achieved so far you’ve done yourself and I’ve seen you come out of your shell more and more.

You shine in everything you do and your dedication to not only your football but your family does not go unnoticed. It was a surreal moment seeing your name in the starting line-up on the screen at Ibrox two weeks ago for your first league start. I was seeing you out the door saying, ‘Just you go out and do your best’ and you told me to be quiet as you’re so laid-back.

Your gran was in tears so I was trying not to look at her as she would set me off but these moments make you think about the family who have passed and didn’t get to see you. The one person I’d have loved to see you is your great-grandad John, who your middle name is dedicated to.

He was the biggest Bluenose around and would have been in awe of this. Your great nana wouldn’t let Rangers be discussed in the house as she said it didn’t pay the bills or put food on the table but you’d have a good comeback for that now!

The last time Rangers were in the final you were four. Your dad and granda wanted to take you to Manchester for it but no way was I letting you go at that age without me — and the big screen didn’t come on, so this one has to go better!

It’s hard to find the words to describe how proud I am of you. To come from a scheme in Glasgow to be part of the squad is all down to your hard work.

We as a family could not be more proud of you if we tried. Go out to Seville and show them what you are made of!

We love you, Mum x

Paul Aladejare, Calvin Bassey’s first mentor

To be 22 and appearing in a European final is a major achievement but making such progress in the last six months is no surprise to me having seen how you adapted to life after signing at Leicester.

I first saw you when one of my coaches at Crown Pro Elite, Luke Porter, introduced you to me as he was from the same area as you in London.

He asked me to come and watch a few players and it was clear you had raw ability as soon as you started training, but I’m sure you’d agree it needed refining.

We took you to Wolves and even Barnet before you won a deal at Leicester, but they didn’t give you anything. On Wednesday I might ring the chairman to remind him that you were that left-back they let slip!

The thing that is different about you is how quickly you take on information and applied it. You were so hungry to improve that I’d tell you something and the next second you had learned it.

There are some players you need to keep repeating things to but all I’d say is ‘Calvin, do this to change your body shape’ and the next time you’d already done it. You were like a sponge.

You’re such a big personality and I knew that would stand you in good stead. You bring such an energy to everyone’s social life and every changing room and training session.

You are so dedicated and committed that it couldn’t have happened to a better person. I pray that you get the result you want!

Teemu Virervirta, Glen Kamara’s former coach

To think that the little seven-year-old playing in Espoo has gone from that little shy boy to now playing with such confidence on the big stage makes me a happy man.

I can’t find the words to describe it other than I knew you were destined to play big games, but not these big games. It wasn’t always easy for you growing up but your hard work has paid off and to see my kid playing in the final is as bigger dream than I could have imagined.

When you scored that wonderful goal in the semi-final, I was shocked but also not shocked. You used to be a striker for our team and would score whenever you liked but I didn’t know you could play with your left foot!

The calmest man in Glasgow! 😎

Glen Kamara strokes the ball home and there’s a nod to Jimmy Bell as he celebrates.

Rangers are in control at Ibrox! 👊#UEL pic.twitter.com/KSvILvBO7T

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 5, 2022

Do you remember I used to give you a can of Coca-Cola every time you scored or were man of the match? I might need a few on Wednesday!

Five years ago, you were making your way but now you are ruling every game I see and everyone from Espoo knows who you are as soon as you say your name.

It would be great to speak again and come to a game at Ibrox to say hello.

We are all so proud of you and we’ll be cheering for you wherever you go in your career.

Jon Taylor, Connor Goldson’s best man

I can’t believe I’m writing this… but you are about to play a European cup final!

You have worked so hard all your life to get to this point and I am so proud of you. You deserve every accolade you get. What a role model you are to your two sons.

I’m absolutely devastated I can’t be there to watch you but I’ll be supporting you as always. Go and bring back that trophy.

Pauline Aribo, Joe’s mum

On behalf of the whole family, we are extremely proud of what you have achieved so far in your career. We give all glory to the almighty God.

Over the last few years we have witnessed this incredible journey unfold as your hard work and dedication has paid off, taking you from Kinetic Academy and Staines to Charlton and now Rangers.

You know we are your No 1 fans. We always knew you could do it, now continue achieving your dreams.

I want to send you and the whole Rangers team the best of luck in the final. We back you all the way!

(Design: Sam Richardson for The Athletic)