Gers crumble when they face Spanish inquisition
I remember going to Rangers’ last games against Villarreal including at El Madrigal in 2006. Could you provide details of the matches and tell me how Rangers have fared in their overall record against Spanish teams? Alistair (Greenock)
The teams met in the round of 16 of the 2005/06 Champions League. The home tie played on February 22, 2006 did not start well for Rangers, Juan Roman Riquelme scored an eighthminute penalty after a Dado Prso handball, Peter Lovenkrands equalised after 22 minutes, but Diego Forlan restored Villarreal’s lead just over 10 minutes later in controversial fashion as his goal should have been ruled offside, though the Uruguayan had had an earlier effort incorrectly chalked off for offside.
Rangers scored a late equaliser through a Pena own goal from a Thomas Buffel cross. The second leg in El Madrigal on the March 7, 2006 saw Rangers take an early lead through Peter Lovenkrands but a second-half equaliser from Arruabarrena was enough to GET the lowdown on Scottish football’s fascinating history with a visit to the National Stadium. There’s fun among all the exhibits for every family member. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sunday 11am-5pm. Adults £6, U16/concs £3, U5 free. Tel: 0141 616 6139 or visit www. scottishfootball museum.org.uk send the Spanish team through on away goals. Rangers’ overall record against Spanish teams is not great – in 12 two-legged ties they have only won four games out of 24 and lost 12.
It seems as if Celtic play Rosenberg every season. How often have they met and what is the head-to-head record?
Joe D (Simshill) Understandable that you have that impression as the Celts are about to play Rosenberg for the second time this season having also met them in the Champions League last season.
The clubs first met in 1972 in a European Cup tie which Celtic won 5-2 on aggregate. They did not meet again until 2001 in the Champions League group stages when Celtic won 1-0 at home and lost 2-0 away, both Rosenberg goals being scored by former Celt, Harald Brattbakk.
Last season, in Champions League qualifying, Celtic came out on top after a 0-0 draw at home was followed by a 1-0 away win.
Earlier this year, again in Champions League qualifying, Celtic won 3-1 at home and drew 0-0 in Norway.
So on the four occasions they have met so far the Hoops have emerged victorious three times. They are due to meet tonight and again on November 29.
The only other Norwegian team Celtic have met in European competition is Molde, who beat them home and away in the Europa League group stages in 2015-16.