Rangers' proud home record against Turkish opposition examined ahead of Galatasaray tie

Milan Rapaic (left) steals possession from Rangers midfielder Fernando Ricksen with a well timed tackle in 2001

Rangers face Galatasaray for the second time in 20 years when the Turkish side visit Ibrox tomorrow night in the UEFA Europa League play-off round.

It will be the fifth time the Gers have met opposition from Turkey in competitive action – and they will have to maintain a proud record if they want to guarantee progress.

Rangers have not conceded against a Turkish side at Ibrox, a record that stretches all the way back to the 1970s, when John Greig hit a double in a 4-0 win against Ankaragucu in a 4-0 win which marked Rangers’ return to European competition after their Cup Winners’ Cup success in 1972.

Ronald de Boer takes on Korkmas Bulent during the 0-0 draw in 2000. Picture: Gary M Prior/Allsport

Fenerbahce and Galatasaray have both visited Edmiston Drive since, and while neither conceded a goal on their trips to Scotland they failed to score as well. The same couldn’t be said for Bursaspor in 2017 though when a Steven Naismith goal gave Rangers the home win.

Here’s a look back through the history books at the previous encounters with Turkish teams and the Ibrox club.

1973-74

EUROPEAN CUP WINNERS' CUP1st Round

Kirk Broadfoot tackles Ali Tandogan of Buraspor

ANKARAGUCU 0

RANGERS 2

Conn 11, McLean 50

RANGERS 4

Greig 9, 80, O'Hara 78, Johnstone 89

ANKARAGUCU 0

2000-01

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Bursaspor's Milan Stepanov vies with Steven Naismith (MUSTAFA OZER/AFP via Getty Images)

GALATASARAY 3

Bulent 51, Hakan Unsal 57, Jardel 70 RANGERS 2

Kanchelskis 72, van Bronckhorst 90

RANGERS 0

GALATASARAY 0

2001-02

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE3rd Qualifying Round

RANGERS 0 FENERBAHCE 0

FENERBAHCE 2

Revivo 4, Akin 71

RANGERS 1

Ricksen 73

2010-11CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

RANGERS 1

Naismith 18

BURSASPOR 0

BURSASPOR 1

Yildirim 79

RANGERS 1

Miller 13