With a huge clash against FC Ufa coming up tonight, we take a look at Rangers’ record against Russian teams throughout their history.
Rangers have played 11 matches against teams from Russia in European competition. The club have met them in both the Champions League and the Europa League stretching back to 1972.
Impressively, Rangers have scored 13 goals on their four trips to Russian soil. Thursday’s game will come at Ibrox however, where the Gers have also netted seven in four meetings with Russian sides.
During their time in Europe, it’s CSKA Moscow who the Gers have become most accustomed to. They’ve faced the side from the Russian capital four times, winning and losing just one whilst drawing the other three.
Russian Memories
Rangers’ most iconic day in their history came against a Russian outfit back in 1972. Dynamo Moscow faced the Gers in the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
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Many of the Ibrox faithful could rhyme off the day. In the end, Rangers stormed into a three-goal lead and managed to hold on for a sensational triumph. Despite a late Moscow comeback in the second half, the Bears took the trophy.
This isn’t the only time Rangers have faced Dynamo however.
In the 2001-02 UEFA Cup, Rangers powered to two impressive victories over their old foes. A 3-1 win at Ibrox combined with an incredible 4-1 mauling in Moscow meant Rangers qualified for the third round against PSG.
Earlier on in the same competition, just a round previously, Rangers had also knocked out Anzhi Makhachkala in Warsaw after the tie had to be moved to a neutral ground. This was due to the increased fighting at the time in Chechnya.
A Bert Konterman goal was enough to see off Anzhi, before their tremendously dominant display against Dinamo.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing against the Russians however.
Cup final heartbreak
In the UEFA Cup final of 2008, Rangers lost out 2-0 to Zenit St Petersburg. That day was perhaps more memorable for the ugly scenes in Manchester. However, a terrific Rangers effort ultimately ended in heartbreak in England.
However, Rangers’ biggest success against a Russian side wasn’t against any of these big-hitters.
Instead, it was against a little-known outfit called Alania Vladikavkaz in the qualifying round for the Champions League. The club played in the Soviet Top League during the Communist era. They have only ever won one Top Russian League title back in 1995.
Rangers made quick work of them in 1996. A 3-1 win at Ibrox and an incredible 7-2 win in Russia showed the difference in quality and stature. It was ironically Rangers’ biggest but least known win against a Russian side.
So overall, Rangers certainly can’t complain when it comes to their results against Russian teams.
FC Ufa will provide fresh competition. However, Rangers don’t need to have any fear when you take a look at their history.