Johnstone calls on Gers to follow class of ’82 lead
THE blueprint is the same four decades on. If Rangers can replicate the results and the performances, it will be cherished for many years to come.
In 1982, the Ibrox club embarked on their first UEFA Cup campaign and were handed a tricky tie against Borussia Dortmund. A goalless draw in Germany and 2-0 victory back at Ibrox would take them through to the next round.
The achievement is not as notable as some of the other great duels against German opposition that Rangers have had throughout their illustrious and storied European history.
But the feats of John Greig’s side act as the perfect example for the stars of today to attempt to follow as Giovanni van Bronckhorst looks to mastermind victory over the Bundesliga giants.
Goals from Davie Cooper and Derek Johnstone earned Rangers the win that saw them set up a meeting with Cologne in the second round.
If the champions can return home with a shot at glory on Thursday night, it will be a job well done against a star-studded Dortmund side guided by Marco Rose.
“When it comes to knock-out ties in European football, going away from home and earning a 0-0 can rarely be classed as a negative result,” Barcelona Bear Johnstone said. “That was the case for us against Dortmund. We had to work hard for that draw over there, but it paid off and we were then able to finish the job at Ibrox.
“Davie Cooper scored from close range in the first half with what was a poacher’s finish and that – coming just before the break I’m sure – put us in control of the tie at that stage.
“I remember their keeper made a really good save from my header in the second half but then I scored late on, from a Coop cross actually, at the back post. That won us the game.
“Dortmund were a decent side then. They had finished sixth in the Bundesliga the season before to qualify for the UEFA Cup and going over there so early in the competition was never going to be an easy challenge for us.”
Victory in that first UEFA Cup tie was one of the few highlights of the season for Rangers as they were left empty handed domestically and finished well adrift in the Premier Division.
A decade on from their crowning moment in Barcelona, manager Greig and Johnstone – coming towards the end of his first spell at Ibrox – never looked like conquering the continent once again and the season was ultimately one to forget.
“Dortmund had some good players in an attacking sense and they were clearly capable of scoring goals but we felt we could get through them as well,” Johnstone said.
“So we knew that if we could defend well and keep it tight and deny them a goal then chances would come for us at the other end. That is how it panned out over the two legs.
“That season was the first time that Rangers had played in the UEFA Cup and we obviously wanted to go as far as we could in the competition. It wasn’t to be in the end.
“We were comfortably beaten by Cologne in the next round and our return to Germany certainly didn’t go to plan on that occasion unfortunately. We gave ourselves a chance with a good win at Ibrox but then lost 5-0 away from home and that was that.
“We had a difficult season all round to be honest. Our league form just wasn’t consistent enough to challenge for the title and to lose in the final of both cup competitions – one to Aberdeen and the other to Celtic – was really difficult to take.”
The task ahead of Rangers this time around is even more difficult. Dortmund may be off the pace being set by Bayern in the title race but their status as potential winners of the Europa League tells its own story.
The defence of their Premiership title must take precedence for the champions this term but the trip to Germany offers both a respite and an opportunity as Van Bronckhorst’s side aim to rise to the occasion.
“Everyone knows how impressive the Westfalenstadion is as an arena and I am sure the Rangers players will be looking forward to playing there next week,” Johnstone said.
“It is a shame the Rangers supporters won’t be able to travel in their numbers because it would have been a great trip for them and they would have given the side terrific backing.
“It will be strange seeing only 10,000 inside the ground on Thursday night and we will see what kind of impact that has on both teams and how they handle that reduced atmosphere.
“You certainly can’t say it is a negative for Rangers to have that home crowd down in number and making less noise, but it will still be a really difficult night for us and you only need to look at the Dortmund squad to see why they are amongst the favourites to actually go all the way in the Europa League this season.”
You certainly can’t say it is a negative for Rangers to have that home crowd down in number