As the Europa League rolled to a halt on Thursday evening, Rangers could look down at a group containing Benfica, Standard Liege and Lech Poznan in a record-breaking campaign.
The 14 points earned by the Gers is a record Scottish points total but that isn’t the only majorly impressive aspect of the club’s Euro campaign this season.
The fact we went unbeaten is huge, as are those disappointing draws with Benfica, but Thursday’s results prove that beating Standard Liege 2-0 at their home ground really was quite the feat.
Prior to Rangers travelling to Belgium and leaving with a clean sheet and three points, Standard hadn’t been beaten in 16 home European ties.
Dutch outfit Feyenoord were the last team to defeat Standard at home and thumped the Belgians 3-0 way back in 2014.
The likes of Arsenal, Eintracht Frankfurt, Ajax, Sevilla and Celta Vigo have come to the Stade Maurice Dufrasne and left without victory between then and Rangers beating Philippe Montanier’s side was a real achievement.
Rangers won on the night courtesy of a James Tavernier penalty and a worldie from his own half from striker Kemar Roofe, but even Benfica couldn’t beat them as they played out a 2-2 draw.
This means Rangers are the only side to win at Liege out of the 18 clubs who’ve visited since that Feyenoord defeat in 2014,
It was an iconic night for Rangers and one which will live long in the memory knowing just how difficult it is to go to that ground and leave with three points.
The Ibrox side can now look forward to the round of 32 in the Europa League with one eye already on Monday’s draw.
Whilst Rangers fans are excited about the prospect of more European football after Christmas, there is one side in particular they’d like to avoid.
