Rangers have a grand total of one European trophy in their history. They have reached five finals, the most recent of which came in the 2021-22 Europa League.
While that record doesn’t exactly look like that of a superpower on the continental stage, a trip to Ibrox on a European night is still a special occasion, even if they aren’t the safest team to back when placing an online football bet.
An appearance in the 2022-23 Champions League group stage is Rangers’ first time in the premier continental club competition in over a decade.
While expert football tips still aren’t expecting a deep run from The Gers, it is a welcome return of Champions League football to Ibrox.
The run to the Europa League final in 2021-22 featured some classic nights at the 50,817-capacity stadium, and similar can be expected upon their Champions League comeback.
Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side have a tough draw with Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool, but the hostile atmosphere at Ibrox will provide a challenge for each of those teams.
Rangers defeated Sparta Prague, Brondby, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig at home in the Europa League last season and will be eyeing a Champions League predictions upset or two in 2022-23.
Where some atmospheres are no more than a myth, Ibrox’s noise levels are sustained and impressive. Graeme Souness, a former Rangers and Liverpool player, cited a specific night as the best atmosphere he ever played in.
Bouncing at full time at Ibrox@sunsetandvine @btsportfootball pic.twitter.com/DGHPT8E3zK
— Grant Philips (@PhilipsGrant) May 5, 2022
The Sky Sports pundit said, "I'd also pick out the Kiev game. I have to say that in all the big stadiums I've played in and all the wonderful nights of European football at Liverpool – and there was a lot of them - that night against Kiev was the greatest atmosphere that I've ever played in.
"We managed to win 2-0 that night and go through after losing the first leg 1-0."
Of course, Souness isn’t alone in his praise of the famous Ibrox European night atmosphere.
Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi witnessed his son star as Rangers beat Braga in thrilling fashion at Ibrox in 2020 – the elder Hagi cited the significance of the crowd on the night.
"The fans helped the team to come back a lot, as the atmosphere created pressure for the opponent. They encouraged throughout and helped provide the players with the state of mind to overcome themselves, so they felt that, together, anything is possible.
"The intensity, the atmosphere, the emotions they convey are often reflected in the team’s game. Rangers can be proud to have such a fantastic atmosphere.”
Howard Wilkinson was Leeds manager for a dramatic Champions League playoff against Rangers back in 1992, when the thunderous noise from the crowd again had an impact.
Wilkinson said, “You think you’ve seen it all but, until you’re in that situation, it far outweighs anything you could have anticipated. In that sense it can a huge advantage — if you’re not used to dealing with it, it can take some getting used to…
"It’s as if all of it just joins, to make this white noise. We were fortunate that Leeds had that similar reputation but it was a unique occasion. Ibrox is a proper old stadium — not like some of the Premier League era ones that can be like Hollywood."
More recently, summer signing Antonio Colak struggled to explain the feeling of playing at Ibrox after scoring in a Champions League qualifier against Union Saint-Gilloise.
"Even for me, it is difficult to explain Ibrox. I get the goosebumps walking out, it is a special feeling. It makes us stronger every game."
A football atmosphere is more than decibels and attendances. Ibrox isn’t the biggest stadium, nor is it necessarily the loudest. Yet, it is clear Rangers’ home makes people feel something on both sides.
Intimidating for visitors and uplifting for the hosts, Ibrox on a European night should sit alongside the Milan derby and the Superclasico on a checklist of must-visits for football fans worldwide.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 6th September 2022
