Rangers fans have travelled across Europe in great numbers to see their side in action over the years – but few have been immortalised in song like the Cup Winner’s Cup clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers which took place 59 years ago today.
The Gers had been drawn to face the FA Cup holders in the semi-final and demand for tickets was huge with 80,000 packing Ibrox and just as many left disappointed in their bid to see Scot Symon’s side in action.
A 2-0 win at Ibrox set the scene for the Light Blues to travel to the Midlands as they looked to become the first British side to reach a European final.
Over 10,000 Rangers fans flooded into Wolverhampton, with the programme notes at the time extending the sort of welcome few clubs are given in modern football.
“We have been privileged to receive distinguished clubs from other countries to our ground.
“None of them, however, have been more welcome than the famous Rangers.
“We can promise another 90 minutes when the roars from the terraces will be urging the English side into action, just as the crowd at Ibrox sought to inspire their favourites three weeks ago.”
Wolves had lost just one of their seventeen home games that season and Stan Cullis’ side were regarded as one of English football’s premier teams at the time.
A 1-1 draw at Molineux saw Rangers triumph and book their place against Fiorentina in the final – and just like the run to the 2008 UEFA Cup final, it is the semi-final that lives long on the memory of Gers fans.