KIRK BROADFOOT used to start every season knowing a Renfrewshire Cup Final was likely to be his only opportunity to get his hands on silverware.

More often than not, that would have seen him pitting his talents against the best that Morton had to offer.

Now Broadfoot stands on the threshold of being part of a Rangers squad that could go down in history. One match that could see his name cemented in Ibrox folklore alongside the Barca Bears of 1972.

Undoubtedly, the fact he finds himself just hours away from taking part in a Uefa Cup Final is something he could never have imagined in his wildest dreams.

The Rangers defender was hoping his big move to Ibrox at the start of the season would prove fruitful in terms of winning trophies.

But he never thought for a second he would go from playing in local cup finals to a European one within the space of 12 dramatic months.

With tonight's Uefa Cup clash with Zenit St Petersburg fast approaching, Broadfoot knows it is likely to be the biggest game in his entire career.

And when he thinks back to how far he has come in such a short space of time, it actually frightens him more than the prospect of facing the Russians.

"When I signed for Rangers I hoped there would be a chance for me to help the club be successful and win silverware," said Broadfoot.

"The club are always looking to try and win the league and the two domestic cup competitions, so you like to think there is a chance you could be involved in cup finals and things like that when you come on board at Ibrox.

"At St Mirren, we managed to win the league, but once we were promoted to the SPL, you know it's highly unlikely you'll be playing in cup finals.

"We used to play Morton at the start of every season in the Renfrewshire Cup Final, which was important for the fans of both clubs.

"But now I'm preparing for a Uefa Cup Final and it's something I could never have envisaged.

"The last time Rangers played in a European Final was 36 years ago and that just highlights how rare it is for a Scottish club to be involved in something like this.

"When you think of how far I've come in such a short space of time it's incredible. I suppose I can look back in the summer and reflect on how things have changed so dramatically for me, but for now I'm just concentrating on Zenit."

Since coming out on top in a penalty shoot-out with Fiorentina in the Artemio Franchi Stadium last month, Broadfoot and his team-mates have been eagerly anticipating the prospect of walking out in front of a packed City of Manchester Stadium.

But, with an SPL championship very much on their radar, Walter Smith's men have been too busy focusing their attention on Hibs, Motherwell and Dundee United to think that much about Dick Advocaat's side.

However, arriving in Manchester at the start of this week, Broadfoot and Co are now ready to take the field and hopefully emerge at the end of it with a winner's medal.

"We just want to get out there and get on with it," he said.

"We've had league games to occupy our thoughts since we secured our place in the final at the end of last month but, if we're being honest, this has always been in the back of our minds.

"It's likely to be the biggest game any of us will play in our careers.

"People still remember the Barcelona Bears after they won the Cup-Winners' Cup in 1972 and this is now our chance to join them in going down in history as only the second Rangers team to have ever won a European trophy.

"We trained at Murray Park on Monday morning and it was a good session and then we flew down to Manchester.

"Our training base is excellent, really quiet and we've been able to go about our business and prepare without getting caught up in the hype.

"But as the hours pass by, and the game gets closer and closer, you really do just want to get your strip on and get out there.

"That's the way the boys are feeling at the present time and hopefully we can go out there and do ourselves justice."

Broadfoot admits he probably could have sold out the City of Manchester Stadium on his own with the amount of ticket requests he has had recently, but he has been delighted to receive so much support in the build-up to tonight's game.

"I've had numerous text messages and phone calls since we reached the final, but most of them have been people looking for tickets," laughed the big defender.

"Seriously, though, it's been nice to receive so many good luck messages and support.

"I've had a lot of my former team-mates at St Mirren getting in touch to wish me all the best as well and that sort of thing is pleasing."

That will be nothing compared to the congratulation messages if he manages to help Rangers to Uefa Cup glory tonight.