Rangers

Today we remember a valiant effort in the UEFA cup a decade ago, a 2:0 win over Kilmarnock, four goals from the gaffer twenty years ago and a fine win in Europe against Turkish opposition from 1973.

In 2002, Rangers’ European dream for the season ended in the cruellest fashion at Ibrox when a Viktoria Zizkov away goal late in the tie squeezed the Czechs through to the next round of the UEFA Cup.

A goal from Ronald de Boer in either half had warmed up the crowd on a chilly autumn evening to take the tie into extra-time and when substitute Neil McCann volleyed home a third goal it looked as if Rangers had done what many beforehand had deemed an impossible task.

However, when Marcel Licka levelled the tie once more around the 100 minute mark, a chaotic final period ensued that saw a penalty awarded to the home side then retracted some staggering last-gasp defending and even the incredulous sight of goalkeeper Stefan Klos powering a header goalwards as Rangers pushed for another goal.

Sadly it was not to come as the Czechs held on to stake their place in the second round to deny Alex McLeish's men. Final score 3:1 to Rangers, losing only on away goals after extra time.

You can read a match report of the game here and reaction to the match from der Goalie, Stefan Klos here.

A renaissance of Rangers form after some poor performances continued apace at Ibrox in 2004 as they earned their fifth consecutive clean sheet in a comfortable 2:0 victory over Kilmarnock.

Goals from Marvin Andrews - a revelation in both defence and attack - and a late clincher from Nacho Novo completed a great week for Alex McLeish's team.

Only some sloppy finishing and industrious defending from the visitors prevented Rangers from adding to their tally and there were some nervy moments before Novo netted with just nine minutes left.

You can read a match report of the game here and reaction to the match from manager Alex McLeish here.

Elsewhere, in 1992, Ally McCoist was the hero after scoring four times in a 4:0 win over Falkirk and in 1973 Rangers beat Turkish side Ankaraguu thanks a double from John Greig and goals from Derek Johnstone and Alex O’Hara.

You can see pictures from the games mentioned in today's article in our gallery of pictures below (via RangersPics).

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