History tells us it will be no waltz in Vienna for Blues
RANGERS face a tough task in Vienna tonight, with only a victory in the Austrian capital enough to send Steven Gerrard’s side into the knockout rounds of the Europa League.
While Rangers’ record against Austrian opposition could provide a glimmer of hope to supporters of the Ibrox team, it’s their form away from home which could be of concern.
Graham (Gartcosh) asks: Reflecting upon Rangers’ 3-1 win over Rapid Vienna back in October, how have Rangers fared in their overall record against Austrian opposition?
A: Coincidently, Rapid were the first Austrian team that Rangers faced in European competition back in season 1964/65. They met in the first round of the European Cup and Rangers won the game 3-0 on aggregate. This victory took the Ibrox club to the quarter-finals where they faced Inter Milan – but were knocked out after losing 3-2 over two legs.
It would be 35 years until Rangers faced Austrian competition once more. In season 2000/01 they met 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 Sturm Graz in the group stage of the Champions League. Rangers found some success against their Austrian opponents, winning 5-0 at Ibrox but lost 2-0 at Arnold Schwarzenegger Stadion.
In 2004/05 Rangers faced Grazer AK in the UEFA Cup group stage and won 3-0. Sadly this victory and their only other win against Amica Wronki were not enough to take them through. With the upcoming Old Firm match at Ibrox starting to whet the appetite of some festive fans, Ryan Gyte (Waterfoot) asks: Who was the last Celtic player to score three goals against Rangers at Ibrox and what were the circumstances?
A: Celtic hat-tricks at Ibrox are rare occurrences. In fact this feat has only been achieved on one occasion.
The player concerned was Bobby Lennox and the game was a Glasgow Cup tie on August 23, 1966.
Billy McNeill opened the scoring with a well-struck volley, rare for Big Billy, in the eighth minute, and Lennox followed up with goals in the 32nd, 81st and 83rd minutes to give Celtic a 4-0 away victory.
Stevie Chalmers had also scored three against Rangers in January 1966 in a league match at Parkhead. Harry Hood repeated the feat against Rangers in the 1973 League Cup semi-final but that game took place at Hampden Park.
More recently Moussa Dembele scored three against Rangers in a 5-1 Premiership victory at Celtic Park in 2016.