Different decade, new icon, same ambition – Champions League qualification.
Back in 2011, Rangers were about to descent through the trap door and to keep falling.
Ally McCoist’s Rangers side suffered a Champions League qualifying exit at the hands of Malmo in the second leg of the tie in Sweden ten years ago today which was followed by a Europa League exit to Maribor then the unravelling truly fastened at the turn of the year.
Another footballing icon in the form of Steven Gerrard now wears the expectation and its demands as manager of Rangers.
The club is in a totally different place at present and McCoisr is only looking forward, following the return of the league crown to Ibrox and now the club is on the brink of Europe’s flagship club tournament once again.
55 meant everything to the club and the supporters but tis is now seen as the final step, as alluded to by Super Ally.
“It would mean everything (to get back to the group stage),” said McCoist.
“To see the club back in the group stages of the Champions League, well that would be it for me.”
“We are 99 per cent back. All Rangers fans were greetin’ last year when we won the title.”
“It was an amazing experience, I had a wee chat with Walter Smith and it meant so much to us all.”
“But get us back into the Champions League and the good times will definitely be back.”
“Of that there is no doubt and for me that would complete the journey.”
“I would be so pleased and proud to see the club back in the Champions League.”
It is one of those things that has a habit of happening in football, now Rangers decade has been book-ended with visits to Malmo on Champions League duty.
There will still be business to be done at Ibrox next week, as well as hopefully in the next stage before the goal can be achieved but the symbolism is huge as Rangers go from strength to strength on the pitch and hopefully to make up for what happened last time at the hands of the Swedes.