[The Exiled Heretic]

While the Internationals are upon us thought it might be a good time and reflect on some of the better moments from our history. It's been a long time since we've tasted European success so this should be a good time to reflect on better days.

It's been 33 years but for some it's been even longer. In 1972 Rangers went to the Nou Camp in Barcelona to contest a European final. It was the third time they'd been to the final. In 1961 they had lost the final against Fiorentina 3-2 over two legs. In 1967 they were level after 90 minutes against Bayern Munich but lost out to a single goal in the second period of extra time. This time would be different.

The European Cup Winners Cup is no longer in existence. This cup and the UEFA Cup were merged in 1999 as one after Lazio won it for the last time. In it's day it was a major European trophy and won by the big names across Europe- Rangers name is among that list.

It was not an easy voyage to the final and Rangers had to overcome opposition from France, Portugal, Italy and Germany to get there. Get there they did though to meet Soviet champions Dynamo Moscow. This is how they got there.

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ECWC Round 1

15th Sep 1971

Stade Rennais 1-1 Rangers

28th Sep 1971

Rangers 1-0 Stade Rennais

Rangers win tie 2-1 on aggregate.

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ECWC Round 2

20th Oct 1971

Rangers 3-2 Sporting Club

3rd Nov 1971

Sporting Club 4-3 Rangers

Match finished 6-6 on aggregate but Rangerswon the tie on away goals ruling.

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ECWC Round 3

8th Mar 1972

Torino 1-1 Rangers

22nd Mar 1972

Rangers 1-0 Torino

Rangers win tie 2-1 on aggregate.

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ECWC SEMI-FINAL

5th April 1972

Bayern Munich 1-1 Rangers

19th Apr 1972

Rangers 2-0 Bayern Munich

Rangers win tie 3-1 on aggregate.


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ECWC FINAL

24th May 1972

Rangers 3-2 Dynamo Moscow

Rangers win the EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS CUP

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The Rangers fans spill onto the pitch at the Nou Camp after the final whistle blows

Rangers captain John Greig holds the trophy up before the fans.

The Rangers players parade around Ibrox with the European trophy held aloft.


Many thanks to the Barcelona 72 site from where most of the pics were taken.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

I doubt there is a person on this forum that would know anything from the games unless they'd watched the DVD. It's a big part of our history though so will always be talked about somewhere, unless we win another European trophy in the future.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

And here was me beginning to think that you were really ancient

Lol, way before my time I'm glad to say. I do remember Aberdeen winning the same trophy for which Alex Ferguson was hailed as a hero.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

I read that too about the Sporting Game. Someone from the Rangers Camp apparently ran on with a rule book to show to the referee. :howler:

Rangers lost the Super Cup 3-1 to an awesome Ajax team to as a result. A team that included Johan Cruyff.

That Bayern team were apparently a great side and had players in the ranks from the NT that went on to lift the World Cup 2 years later.

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

I didn't know you had beaten Bayern Munich on route to the final. :eekani:

They had one of their best ever teams during the early 70s, Rangers must have had some team then to beat them. :thumbsup:

They were apparently a real quality side in that era. Bayern and Ajax were the top sides in Europe. Before the arrival on of Liverpool. From 1971-73 Ajax took won the European Cup followed by 1974-76 when Bayern won it.

The winners of the ECWC met the winners of the European Cup in January of the following year, 1973. We may have beaten a great Bayern side but the Ajax side showed their real class winning 3-1 at Ibrox and then 3-2 in Amsterdam.

My third cousin (or something) Ron McKinnon broke his leg in one of the games against Sporting. I don't think he played for Rangers again.

Well, he ended up playing for Hong Kong Rangers but that's different.

Do you know if he still picked up a medal?

I wonder why this thread was started :rollani:

For a full explanation read the first post mate although the fact this is the Rangers forum should be a dead giveaway. :smileani:

 

[The Exiled Heretic]

I never knew that. So our winning of the European Cup Winners Cup in some way went to the invention of the European Super Cup? Pioneers in Europe. :happy:

I just read the full story on the UEFA site. Thanks for that. :thumbsup: