RANGERS hero Ian Durrant has been impressed with the manner in which his former team have reached the Europa League final - even though it could hardly be more different from the way that Walter Smith's side made it to the UEFA Cup final in 2008.

The ex-Ibrox midfielder was part of Smith's backroom team as the Glasgow club made it all the way to the final of Europe's secondary club competition 14 years ago by grinding out narrow wins over their opponents.

The current crop's European run has been a lot more forward-thinking. Giovanni van Bronckhorst's men have come out on top of high-scoring encounters with Borussia Dortmund, Braga and Leipzig on their way to booking their place in Seville, and Durrant can't help but notice the huge contrast in playing styles.

He still thinks his team could have defeated Van Bronckhorst's but the former Scotland internationalist admits that the Dutchman's gung-ho side have been one of Europe's most exciting teams this season.

“This team has certainly done it in a completely different way," Durrant told the Scottish Sun.

“Just watching them attacking is frightening. This Rangers side is one of the best teams I’ve seen going forward.

“I saw the games last week with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Liverpool. Rangers are equally as good to watch, attacking-wise, in Europe.

“Back in 2008, we parked all the buses we had.

“At times, you thought the way the teams were attacking against us, if they got one goal then the scoreboard might’ve blown up.

“But we hung in there, defended for our lives, and we managed to nick a goal here or there.

“It would be an interesting game between the two teams. I’d maybe still fancy us!

“We had a great work ethic, as do these boys, but the present team certainly score a lot more goals than we could ever do.

“The number of attacking options is incredible, particularly with the full-backs.

“You know if Borna Barasic crosses it, then James Tavernier is in the penalty box.

“They are top of so many impressive stats in Europe. Alfredo Morelos has the most shots on target, Tavernier the most goals scored.

“Rangers are top on most tackles, balls recovered, saves, completed passes.

“But there’s one thing they’ve certainly got that we had too —  a great togetherness. And that’s taken them far.”