As the song that has accompanied them on their maiden European adventure promised all along, Crystal Palace are on their way to Leipzig. Sixteen years after rescuing the club he supported as a child from administration, Steve Parish watched on from the stands with pride as Oliver Glasner’s side held off a spirited challenge from Shakhtar Donestsk to book a showdown with Rayo Vallecano in eastern Germany on 27 May.
The Austrian manager may be set to leave Palace after what will be the 60th game of a marathon season but whatever happens after this, he will always have a special place in the club’s history. Reports from Spain in the hours before kick-off suggested that Andoni Iraola – Palace’s preferred candidate to succeed Glasner – could yet be persuaded to take over at Selhurst Park next season despite having plenty of other suitors.
The lure of playing in the Europa League next season – their reward for winning this competition – could certainly help to convince him, as would retaining most of a squad that has proved it is capable of mixing it at this level after being cruelly demoted to the Conference League. A big summer awaits Parish and co. But for now he and Glasner can bask in the prospect of another day out to remember for the club’s supporters.
