Given their financial problems in recent years Rangers fans will just be grateful to be involved in this season’s Champions League.
The club and their Glasgow rivals, Celtic, have failed to make a mark in Europe’s elite competition in recent years, often failing at the qualifying stage.
However, the complicated qualification rules meant Rangers made it direct into the group stage this year and they look to be making the most of their opportunity.
Drawn in a tough group with Man United, Valencia and Bursapor they currently sit joint top after a brave 0-0 draw at Old Trafford – a result that would have upset many people who had placed a Champions League bet – and a narrow, but deserved, 1-0 win over Bursapor at Ibrox.
The 4-5-1 formation adopted by boss Walter Smith in the competition this year has given them a new solidity.
They comfortably held United at arm’s length and only some slack finishing and good goalkeeping prevented them from extending their lead over Bursapor.
Tougher challenges await. Valencia will prove troublesome and may have too much quality, especially when they meet at the Mestalla on Wednesday and the Champions League promotions suggest the Scottish side face a huge task. But their opening two games so far suggest Rangers may once again be able to make their mark on the competition.
Talk of semi-finals maybe a bit over the top, but after such a solid start reaching the first knock-out stage is not that a farfetched ambition for the Scottish giants.
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