Mikel Arteta has just sent a message to Rangers in wake of their Europa League heroics last night

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Glasgow Rangers cult hero Mikel Arteta has congratulated the Ibrox outfit for reaching the Europa League semi-finals.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s charges beat Braga 3-2 on aggregate after a pulsating extra-time win at Ibrox on Thursday.

Rangers took the lead in their quarter-final second leg just two minutes in.

Borna Barisic whipped in a cross from the left which Joe Aribo flicked on for James Tavernier to slide home.

Rangers then went on to double their lead from the penalty spot just before the break.

Vitor Tormena was sent off for the foul on Roofe which led to the spot kick, Tavernier making no mistake.

However, Rangers were wasteful in the second half and Braga took full advantage.

David Carmo headed home from a corner late on to level the tie and take the match to extra time.

Kemar Roofe had one goal ruled out by VAR, and another for offside. He also struck the underside of the bar.

But then, the £4m man finally got the goal he and Rangers deserved, tapping in Aribo’s ball across the face of goal.

Rangers will now face RB Leipzig in the semi-finals, the first time the Gers have got this far in Europe in 14 years.

Arteta, speaking ahead of Arsenal’s Premier League meeting with Southampton, commented on the Light Blues’ heroics.

“I was delighted,” he told football.london.

“The connection I have with that club is forever and I’m so happy to see what they did last night. So congratulations!”

An all-British Europa League final could be on the cards. West Ham face Eintracht Frankfurt in the other semi-final tie.

Up next for Rangers is Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final clash with Old Firm rivals Celtic at Hampden Park.