The current Rangers team is eerily similar to one that came so close to achieving immortality in 2022.
Led by a talismanic, if frustrating striker, supported by a winger capable of winning games on his own with a defence that could keep a series of clean sheets before throwing in the cheapest of goals – sound familiar?
Domestically, there are also traits that are shared, in particular, the current Rangers manager struggles against teams that set up to defend, something that Giovanni van Bronckhorst never really adjusted to.
Three years since famous Rangers win over Borussia Dortmund
That Rangers squad is universally accepted as being stronger, however, a three-year flashback shows what is possible if Philippe Clement is brave.
On the 17th of February 2022, Van Bronckhorst took his team to Germany to face a Borussia Dortmund side that would reach the Champions League final the following season.
Expectations were low, however, what followed was a performance that will forever be remembered.
There was no Erling Haaland due to injury, but a teenage Jude Bellingham was showing the early signs of why Real Madrid would pay £88.5m to secure his services – he scored in both legs against Rangers.
Ryan Kent was at his mercurial best, turning full-back Manuel Akanji inside out to the extent that the now Man City defender tore his hamstring trying to keep up.
Mats Hummels looked finished as an elite level defender after being bullied by Alfredo Morelos.
At 36-years old, he is still playing in Serie A after one of the best seasons of his career, Morelos has moved back to Colombia.
At 3-0 and 4-1 up, Marco Reus was left shaking his head, wondering what was going on, Rangers were in “dreamland in Deutschland”.
Who could Rangers face on their route to the Europa League final this season?
Rangers find out their Europa League fate on the 21st of February and who they have in the last 16 and, potentially, the quarter-finals.
At the moment, Fenerbahce – who beat Anderlecht 3-0 – and Twente, who have a narrow lead over Bodo/Glimt, look the most likely opponents.
After that, heavyweights like Porto, Roma, Lazio and Athletic Club are potential opponents, should Rangers reach the quarter-finals.
Teams like Man Utd, Tottenham Hotspur and Eintracht Frankfurt will all be avoided until the semi-final stage, if Clement can repeat the feats of his predecessor and keep the European dream alive.
