Rangers ... the 50 most memorable matches (50-46)

[ian1964 10,761]

By CHRIS JACK and MATTHEW LINDSAY:

 

 

 

RANGERS have recorded many memorable and momentous triumphs throughout their 142-year existence.

 

The Ibrox club has won the league on a world record 54 occasions as well as the League Cup 27 times and the Scottish Cup 33 times.

 

On the road to recording that incredible haul of domestic trophies, the Light Blues have claimed seven Trebles.

 

That is a feat no other football club on the planet has managed to match.

 

The Gers have also excelled in Europe over the years.

 

They have reached four finals in continental competition - in 1961, 1967, 1972 and 2008.

 

The Glasgow giants have also slayed some of the biggest names in football over the years - including Bayern Munich, Juventus, Leeds United and PSV Eindhoven.

 

And there have, of course, been numerous victories over Celtic which will never be forgotten by their legion of loyal followers.

 

But what are the 50 most memorable games in the history of Rangers?

 

Chris Jack and Matthew Lindsay trawled through the Evening Times archives in an attempt to come up with a definitive list of their biggest outings.

 

And in the coming fortnight in SportTimes, we will count down from 50 to 1.

 

Not every Rangers fan is likely to agree with their findings.

 

But starting today, we take a nostalgic look back at the most entertaining, most unlikely and most important results for Rangers since the Second World War.

 

It promises to be as much fun as watching them in action.

 

50

 

Game: Rangers 5 Celtic 1.

 

Date: November 26, 2000.

 

Competition: Scottish Premier League.

 

Venue: Ibrox.

 

Attendance: 50,083.

 

The most expensive player in the history of Scottish football made his debut as Rangers overwhelmed their Old Firm rivals at Ibrox.

 

Tore Andre Flo, the striker signed for £12million from Chelsea, netted on his Light Blues bow as Dick Advocaat's side bounced back from an embarrassing 6-2 drubbing at Parkhead in some style.

 

Rangers were miles off the pace in the title race, but this derby victory cut their arrears to the Hoops to 12 points and gave the Light Blue legions plenty to shout about.

 

Barry Ferguson, Ronald de Boer, Lorenzo Amoruso and Michael Mols were also on target for the Gers.

 

It was to prove a horror day for Martin O'Neill's side, who had got back into the game at 2-1 after Henrik Larsson scored before Alan Thompson saw red and Rangers romped to a victory to savour.

 

49

 

Game: Rangers 10 Valletta 0.

 

Date: September 28, 1983.

 

Competition: European Cup-Winners' Cup.

 

Venue: Ibrox.

 

Attendance: 11,500.

 

Rangers recorded their biggest-ever European victory, but few were inside Ibrox to see history being made.

 

Already 8-0 ahead from the first leg in Cyprus, John Greig's side turned on the style on home soil to also set a new aggregate score record and Scottish club record in Europe.

 

The Gers were off and running inside the first minute when David Mitchell scored and the game was won after 10 minutes, John MacDonald netting the first of a hat-trick before Mitchell completed his brace.

 

Ian Redford also scored twice and there were goals from Ally Dawson, Billy Mackay and Billy Davies as the Light Blues romped to victory.

 

48

 

Game: Rangers 2 Real Zaragoza 0.

 

Date: March 1, 1967.

 

Competition: European Cup-Winners' Cup.

 

Venue: Ibrox.

 

Attendance: 65,000.

 

The 1966/67 campaign is one of the most remarkable in Rangers' history, with the team that reached a European final humbled by Berwick.

 

Scot Symon's side would eventually win this tie, and book a place in the semi-finals against Slavia Sofia by virtue of a coin toss after a defeat in Spain left the scores tied after extra-time.

 

The crowd that packed into Ibrox would have been unaware of the drama that would unfold, especially after the Gers took control of the match and seemed to be heading smoothly for a last-four berth against the fancied Spaniards.

 

Dave Smith put the hosts ahead after just 10 minutes and when Alex Willoughby doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark, victory on the night was secured for Rangers.

 

47

 

Game: Kilmarnock 1 Rangers 5.

 

Date: May 15, 2011.

 

Competition: Scottish Premier League.

 

Venue: Rugby Park.

 

Attendance: 16,173.

 

In his final game as manager, Walter Smith bowed out in style as he led Rangers to their third successive SPL crown.

 

The Light Blues went into the Rugby Park clash a point ahead of Old Firm rivals Celtic on the final day, but blew Killie away to win the title inside seven minutes.

 

Kyle Lafferty scored twice, either side of a Steven Naismith strike, to settle the nerves and allow the Light Blue legions to start celebrating in Ayrshire. After the break, Nikica Jelavic beat Cammy Bell and Lafferty completed his hat-trick.

 

It was the perfect way for Smith to bring the curtain down on his illustrious managerial career, with the celebrations continuing in front of thousands of fans when the team returned to Ibrox.

 

46

 

Game: Rangers 3 Aberdeen 1.

 

Date: April 28, 1996.

 

Competition: Scottish Premier League.

 

Venue: Ibrox.

 

Attendance: 47,247.

 

Rangers wrapped up eight-in-a-row to move within touching distance of the famous nine and did so thanks to a superb showing from Paul Gascoigne.

 

The England midfielder enjoyed a terrific first campaign at Ibrox and put the seal on the title with all three goals against the Dons to clinch the title for Walter Smith's side.

 

Gazza was the most expensive signing of the previous summer for Smith, who shelled out £4.3million to bring him from Lazio, and he took his tally to 19 goals with his hat-trick on the penultimate day of the season as he cancelled out Brian Irvine's opener and produced a world-class display to get the party started at a packed Ibrox.

 

Your shout ...

 

Now it's your turn to let us know what you think about Rangers' 50 most memorable matches. Get in touch with us via email at sport@eveningtimes.co.uk and have your say on the Light Blues' biggest games.

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/rangerscomment/rangers-the-50-most-memorable-matches-50-46-164912n.24311913

[the gunslinger 3,366]

If that's the first 5 must be some stinkers coming up.

[26th of foot 6,117]

I remember the Real Zaragoza game well, we were commanding throughout and found it hard to believe that the result had been reversed in Spain. I would like to confirm to all viewing Yahoos that the coin utilised in the toss, was a masonic penny. I am currently in Mallorca and both Paco and Pepe at Port Adriano Nautico have assured me that the Zaragosa players were seething.

 

Another thing I remember about the Zaragoza game, was the torrential rain at Ibrox that night, however Dave Smith glided majestically across the surface.

[jhunter 0]

A favourite of mine would be the Dynamo Kiev game in 87 , incredible atmosphere that night.

[Rangersitis 0]

The good, the bad and the ugly:

 

Rangers 0-1 Airdrie 75 - First memory.

Rangers 3-1 Hearts SCF 76 - First treble.

Lyon 0-3 Rangers - Surreal.

CSKA Moscow 0-1 Rangers 92 - Coldest.

Rangers 2-4 Celtic 83 - Nightmare.

Aberdeen 1-1 Rangers 87 - Overdue.

Rangers 1-4 Unirea 09 - Disgraceful.

Rangers 2-0 Kiev 87 - Loudest.

Fiorentina 0-0 Rangers 08 - Joyful.

Bohemians 3-2 Rangers 84 - Mental.

Rangers 0-2 Zenit 08 - Underwhelming.

Dundee Utd 0-1 Rangers 97 - Nine.

Rangers 2-2 Celtic 87 - Gough.

Rangers 3-2 Celtic 86 - McCoist.

Rangers 3-1 Aberdeen 96 - Gascoigne.

Rangers 4-1 Motherwell 99 - Mols.

 

Could go on and on and on......

[the gunslinger 3,366]

our cat wouldn't come near me for weeks after the 0-3 v lyon. such were the frights it got as each goal went in.

[buster. 5,257]

Some Europeans that may figure higher up the list..

 

R 2-0 Bayern Munich

R 3-2 Moscow D

R 2-0 Juventus

PSV 2-3 R

Leeds 1-2 R

R 2-0 D Kiev

 

 

Within that treble of 76 was a SC semi-final comeback that was notable

R 3-2 Motherwell

 

One Cup Final replay to be remembered in 1981

R 4-1 Dundee Utd

Thank's to the late Ian Redford for missing a last minute penalty on the Saturday, as we got to enjoy a DavieCooper inspired Rangers 4 days later.

Edited May 26, 2014 by buster.

[jhunter 0]

Souness at Easter road!!

 

Advocaat in his first game, 0-3 to Shelbourne at half time then the comeback

[ian1964 10,761]

Rangers ... the 50 most memorable matches (45-41)

 

 

 

Game: Rangers v Celtic. Date: Saturday, August 27, 1988. Competition: Premier Division. Venue: Ibrox. Attendance: 42,858. Result: Rangers 5 Celtic 1.

 

SURRENDERING the Scottish title to their age-old city adversaries Celtic in the Parkhead club's centenary year the season before had hurt Rangers badly.

 

But Graeme Souness's charges underlined their intention to win it back with a stunning showing in the first Old Firm game of the 1988/89 campaign.

 

They blew Billy McNeill's team away to equal their highest-ever win in a Glasgow derby match since the Second World War. It is a record that stands to this day.

 

Frank McAvennie gave the visitors the lead after just a few minutes. It was, though, not a taste of what was to come.

 

Ally McCoist was magnificent up front and netted two goals. New signing Kevin Drinkell and Mark Walters also got on the scoresheet.

 

But the 20-yard volley rifled home by Ray Wilkins was the pick of the bunch.

 

44.

 

Game: Dundee v Rangers.

 

Date: Saturday, May 31, 2003.

 

Competition: Scottish Cup (final).

 

Venue: Hampden.

 

Attendance: 47,136.

 

Result: Dundee 0 Rangers 1.

 

THIS Scottish Cup final was by no means a classic. Having won the Scottish title on goal difference from Old Firm rivals Celtic the week before on a final day of unparalleled drama, the Rangers players looked jaded.

 

But the narrow 1-0 victory they recorded on a baking hot day in Glasgow, thanks to a second half goal by captain Lorenzo Amoruso, meant they completed their seventh domestic Treble. That remains a world record.

 

Alex McLeish's side was dealt a blow before the game when Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta was ruled out. Bob Malcolm had to replace him in central midfield and he never looked entirely comfortable in the role.

 

Barry Smith hit the crossbar for Dundee in just the fourth minute. Michael Mols responded shortly afterwards by heading against the woodwork. The game then degenerated into a nervy, tense affair.

 

It was settled in the 66th minute when Amoruso glanced in a Neil McCann free-kick. It was the Italian's last game for Rangers and he broke down in tears after the final whistle. "This is the best gift I can give to the fans," he said.

 

43.

 

Game: Rangers v Hearts.

 

Date: Sunday, November 24, 1996.

 

Competition: League Cup (final).

 

Venue: Celtic Park.

 

Attendance: 48,559.

 

Result: Rangers 4 Hearts 3.

 

A DOUBLE from striker Ally McCoist in the opening half an hour of this League Cup final looked to have effectively sewed up the silverware for the Ibrox club. Hearts, though, had other ideas.

 

Jim Jefferies' side, for whom future Gers winger Neil McCann was absolutely outstanding, battled back bravely and had levelled before the hour thanks to goals from Stevie Fulton and John Robertson.

 

Walter Smith's charges needed to produce something special to reclaim the lead. Fortunately for them, they had one Paul John Gascoigne in their ranks. The Englishman won the game with two goals in the space of just three minutes.

 

Davie Weir, another player who would go on to enjoy great success for Rangers, netted for Hearts with a just few minutes left. But the Light Blues held on in what was a captivating cup final enounter to secure a record 20th League Cup triumph.

 

42.

 

Game: Rangers v Hearts.

 

Date: Saturday, May 18, 1996.

 

Competitition: Scottish Cup (final).

 

Venue: Hampden.

 

Attendance: 37,730.

 

Result: Rangers 5 Hearts 1.

 

GORDON DURIE scored a second half hat-trick as Rangers romped to the largest Scottish Cup final win since the Second World War and their second largest ever.

 

But this game will forever be known to Gers supporters as "The Laudrup Final" due to the outstanding personal performance of Danish magician Brian Laudrup.

 

Hearts had no answer for the pace, close control, trickery and vision of the winger. He netted two goals himself and set up all three of his team-mate's strikes.

 

The emphatic triumph ensured that Walter Smith's charges, who had sewed up Eight-In-A-Row earlier in the 1995/96 campaign, landed the league and cup double.

 

41.

 

Game: Rangers v Slavia Sofia.

 

Date: Wednesday, May 3, 1967.

 

Competition: European Cup- Winners' Cup (semi-final).

 

Venue: Ibrox.

 

Attendance: 70,000.

 

Result: Rangers 1 Slavia Sofia 0.

 

HAVING won the first leg of this European Cup-Winners' Cup semi-final to Slavia Sofia 1-0 in Bulgaria a fortnight before courtesy of a solitary Davy Wilson goal, Rangers already had one foot in the final.

 

But Scot Symon's side booked their place in Nuremberg, where they would come up against German giants Bayern Munich, with a convincing triumph.

 

Their dominance was not reflected in the narrowness of the scorline. Simeon Simenov, the visitors' keeper, produced a succession of outstanding saves.

 

But Willie Henderson netted from 20 yards on the half-hour mark, after Roger Hynd had headed a Willie Johnston corner into his path, to send Rangers through.

 

YOUR SHOUT...

 

Now it's your turn to let us know what you think about Rangers' 50 most memorable matches. Get in touch with us via email at sport@eveningtimes.co.uk and have your say on the Gers' biggest games.

 

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/rangerscomment/rangers-the-50-most-memorable-matches-45-41-165019n.24326923