Gers omen in on the trophy

May 11 2008 By Scott McDermott

FORMER boss Alex McLeish holds the unwanted record of being the only Rangers gaffer to have lost to Russian opposition but history is on the Ibrox club’s side as they head to Manchester.

The Light Blues must see off Dick Advocaat’s Zenit St Petersburg side if they want to lift the UEFA Cup on Wednesday.

And their form against teams from that part of the world should give them hope in the City of Manchester Stadium.

Before big Eck’s side were defeated by CSKA Moscow three years ago in a Champions League qualifier Gers had NEVER been beaten by a Russian side.

Rangers’ first match against a Soviet side came on the greatest night in the club’s history – when they lifted the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972 against Moscow Dynamo in Barcelona.

Goals from Colin Stein and Willie Johnston sealed a 3-2 victory and the vision of skipper John Greig lifting the trophy at the Nou Camp will never be forgotten.

Gers saw off Moscow Dynamo again in 2001 in the UEFA Cup second round and have also notched victories against four other Russian sides – Dynamo Kiev, CSKA Moscow, Alania Vladikavkaz and Anzhi Makhachkala.

The only black spot on Gers’ record came in 2004 when former Celtic star Jiro Jarosik ended McLeish’s side’s Champions League hopes with the winning goal in a 3-2 aggregate victory.