How is everyone with the news yesterday of Jimmy Bell’s passing? What have you said in the dressing room to keep everyone’s spirits high as they can be?

Yesterday wasn’t about keeping the spirits high. We were all very shocked about the news that Jimmy passed away. It was a hard day for all of us. I think everyone was really down which you can imagine so yesterday we didn’t do a lot. We were at the training ground but, of course, the atmosphere was very down and still in shock. Spirits high? I don’t think we had the feeling to keep our spirits high yesterday. We talked about him, we shared stories we had about Jimmy, our personal stories and today we look ahead to Leipzig tomorrow. It was a really big game already but we’re all very determined to go out tomorrow and give everything we can to make everyone proud, especially tomorrow to make Jimmy proud. Today we are back and we are going to try to prepare as good as possible for tomorrow.

How are the players feeling?

We still mourn, we’re still down but I think the character of my players is the best I’ve seen in any team I’ve coached. I’m sure that tomorrow the character, the belief and determination will be there and we’ll do everything to reach the final so I think we’ll be ready.

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Is there any update on team news? Is Kemar Roofe going to be able to play tomorrow?

I don’t know yet. We still have one day to prepare. Of course, he and Aaron [Ramsey] were pushing to be ready for the game tomorrow. Today will be an important day for both. At the moment I cannot tell you if they’re in the squad tomorrow or not.

How big an atmosphere are you expecting and how much of a role can that play in helping you get to the final?

We all have the same goal which is to reach the final. My players, my staff, we all will do our best to prepare for tomorrow. I think the fans are always important for us at home and they’re a big factor in the atmosphere so tomorrow will be the same. I think we’re going to have a noisy night and a noisy night is what we need to overcome this opponent. It will be emotional but we will be ready when the whistle goes.

Does the incredible fitness shown by the players in previous games give you confidence tomorrow night?

Yes. Physically we have been good. Of course, we have missed players with injuries but I think physically a lot comes from your mental strength and we have that. Every game we have played in the last few weeks has been big, against very good opponents but we were there every game. Tomorrow will be the same because we play against a strong team, not only technically but also physically but I think we are able to match them and to give everything we can to be the winners tomorrow. The character is amazing in my team but physically they are good as well. It's not easy. You have to rest, recover well and do everything you can to be as fit as possible for the games. The players are doing that with the support of all the backroom staff we have at the club.

Have you had a chance to sit and consider how close you are to something very special to yourself and the club?

Of course, you have goals in your career as a player and as a coach. You want to achieve great things and you dream of coaching teams in finals. You have that as a player, you have that as a coach. You have the drive to keep going. We are one step away from reaching the final. We are getting closer and closer. This year's campaign has been great and we want to make sure we extend that to the final.

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Only three managers have led the team to a European final, could you afford to think about that now?

No, I'm not thinking about any personal goals. I'm thinking about being successful with the club. The club is the most important thing now. There are not many times the team has made the final in Europe so hopefully, we will be joining a very elite group. That's all that matters. We are here to bring trophies and success to this beautiful club. That's always my main target.

Are you going to give Roofe and Ramsey to the last minute?

Depending on how the training will go. When they got injured we knew we'd work towards the game tomorrow and I will wait as long as possible. The most important thing is they are able to physically play a part in tomorrow's game. That's always the deciding factor for me.

What did you think about Leipzig's loss on Monday and will it have any impact on how Rangers approach the match?

I can only talk about my players and my team. We have seen their last games in the league. They haven't had the results they wanted so they are now in fifth place. Champions League football is also important for Leipzig so they will do everything they can to win the game tomorrow. We have played against them already last week so I have a better feel for their players, qualities and strengths and weaknesses. We have to prepare for a really tough game against a really good opponent. We both want to reach the final but I'm the Rangers manager and I'm doing everything I can to reach the final in Seville.