1971-72 CUP-WINNERS' CUP: How a journalist rescued the Euro dreams of Rangers on road to Barcelona glory

But the road to success was far from straightforward as Rangers had to rely on the rule book and overcome familiar foes before they could once again get within touching distance of the trophy.

After agonising final defeats to Fiorentina and Bayern Munich under Scot Symon, it was Willie Waddell who would ensure Rangers' name would be inscribed on the Cup-Winners' Cup.

There was heartache and then jubilation in Lisbon, and two of the finest ever performances from a Rangers side at home and abroad as the star-studded German giants - Beckenbauer, Muller, Maier et al - were famously

conquered on the road to glory.

There were also tales of hard luck and disappointment, but 11 men would write their name into the history books.

In the third part of our trip down memory lane, CHRIS JACK looks back at the road to Barcelona and how Rangers earned themselves another shot at glory.

FIRST ROUND

September 15, 1971

Rennes 1-1 Rangers

September 28, 1971

Rangers 1-0 Rennes

THE man who would become a legend and score the goals that won Rangers the Cup-Winners' Cup got them off the mark and set them on the road to glory in France.

Rennes may have cancelled out Willie Johnston's 68th-minute opener through Redon, but the 1-1 draw gave Rangers the foundation to build upon when they returned to Glasgow.

Willie Waddell's approach brought criticism from his French counterpart, but it was a disciplined display from his players and his studious approach paid off for Rangers.

In front of 40,000 fans at Ibrox, Alex MacDonald netted the only goal of the game to give Waddell's side a 2-1 aggregate triumph and set up what would be a remarkable tie against Sporting Lisbon.

Ronnie MacKinnon and Colin Jackson played both games against the French outfit, but neither would ultimately take to the field in the final as injury deprived them of their big moment in Barcelona.

SECOND ROUND

October 20, 1971

Rangers 3-2 Sporting Lisbon

November 3, 1971

Sporting Lisbon 4-3 Rangers (aet)

HAVING progressed in extraordinary circumstances against Real Zaragoza on their run to the 1967 final, there was more post-match drama for Rangers in Lisbon.

A Colin Stein brace and Willie Henderson strike inside 28 minutes had Rangers cruising at Ibrox, but the tie was far from over as Chic and Gomes netted late on to give the Portuguese side a chance going into the return leg.

Rangers arrived in Lisbon just 24 hours before the game due to a strike at Heathrow and fog, and lost 3-2 in 90 minutes as the tie went to extra time, Stein's two goals not enough to send the Light Blues through on the night that MacKinnon broke a leg.

After Willie Henderson scored on 100 minutes, Sporting found the net again to make it 6-6 on aggregate and signal the start of penalties, which Rangers lost.

Dejected and with their Euro dreams seemingly over, Rangers were given a reprieve when the officials were informed that Waddell's side should have progressed on the newly-introduced away goals rule before the shoot-out had taken place.

The intervention of journalist John Fairgrieve saw the result overturned and, after a remarkable tie, it was Rangers who would take a place in the quarter-finals.

QUARTER-FINAL

March 8, 1972

Torino 1-1 Rangers

March 22, 1972

Rangers 1-0 Torino

THERE was never any real chance of this tie turning into the 12-goal thriller of the Sporting showdown as Rangers went head-to-head with a tough Italian outfit.

Torino were challenging at the top of the table in their homeland and would eventually finish third in season 1971/72, scoring just 39 goals in 30 games as their defensive strength shone through.

But Waddell was fully prepared for the challenge and had his own tactical masterplan to help see off the Turin side as Jackson was joined at the back by Derek Johnstone, with Dave Smith utilised behind them.

A Willie Johnston goal after 12 minutes gave Rangers something to hold on to and the crucial away goal as they frustrated their hosts.

A Toschi effort just after the hour was all the Italians could muster and it was to prove their last goal in the tie as Rangers kept them out at Ibrox a fortnight later.

It only took one goal in Glasgow to send the Gers through to the last four, Alex MacDonald netting just 54 seconds into the second half to complete a job well done for Waddell's side.

SEMI-FINAL

April 5, 1972

Bayern Munich 1-1 Rangers

April 19, 1972

Rangers 2-0 Bayern Munich

RANGERS produced two of their best-ever performances to book their place in the final and settle an old score as Bayern were beaten five years after they denied Scot Symon's side in Nuremburg.

It was a star-studded Munich line-up, but Rangers handled the talents of Breitner,

Beckenbauer, Muller and Hoeness brilliantly and a Zobel own goal was no more than they deserved on the night.

Twice in the closing stages, Maier had to save smartly from Willie Mathieson as Rangers pushed for a goal that would have given them a famous win.

The Gers didn't have to wait long to triumph, though, and Ibrox was the scene of a superb showing and deserved victory.

A memorable strike from Sandy Jardine inside the first minute put them ahead in the tie and they never looked back as they controlled the game to progress to their third European final.

After Colin Stein had hit the bar, Derek Parlane, in for the injured John Greig, marked a night to remember with the second goal of the game as he converted a Willie Johnston corner on 23 minutes.

The Bayern stars, many of whom would win the World Cup with Germany just two years later, had no answer to Willie Waddell's side as a famous win was secured.

The Bears were heading to Barcelona.

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