Twelve years ago today, Rangers completed a rollercoaster journey to the Uefa Cup final. It was a path which started on July 31, 2007 when the team hosted crack Montenegrin outfit Zeta in the second qualifying round for the Champions League.
The Ibrox side reached the group stages, beating Stuttgart, recording a famous 3-0 win in Lyon and drawing with Barcelona in their first three fixtures but still failed to reach the knockout stage after three straight defeats. The path diverged into the Uefa Cup where Rangers, thanks to some robust and resilient defensive performances saw off Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting CP and then Fiorentina.
We look back at the team which defeated the Italian side on penalties in Florence to set up a final showdown in Manchester with Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.
We look back at the team which defeated the Italian side on penalties in Florence to set up a final showdown in Manchester with Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg.
![The Bosnian made a crucial intervention to clear a chance off the line. Calmly slotted his penalty in the shootout. Now retired.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjgxNWQ4Yzg4LTAyNjctNDM5My1hNjQwLTlhMTIwODFhYjBlYjo5OGUwZjE2ZS1lYjgyLTQ0MDQtYjJiNS1iZmU0Y2M1NDMzNDM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Sasa Papac
The Bosnian made a crucial intervention to clear a chance off the line. Calmly slotted his penalty in the shootout. Now retired. | Getty Images Photo: ANDREAS SOLARO
![Had a long-range effort denied by a fine Sebastian Frey save. Was a very useful player for Rangers that season in different positions. Back at Hibs.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjRkYThhNjcyLTNmOGQtNGFjZS1iOTE0LTk1YTdmOWJiZjljNTo5ZGFhYzk1MS0wMjJhLTQwZGItYThiNS05NGU3MWE3NmQyOGE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Steven Whittaker
Had a long-range effort denied by a fine Sebastian Frey save. Was a very useful player for Rangers that season in different positions. Back at Hibs. | Other 3rd Party Photo: SNS Group Steve Welsh
![An unsung hero in the Rangers midfield, especially during the European campaign. Netted in the shootout. Rangers were his last club in 2009 aged just 31.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjVmZjJiYTA5LTllNWEtNGUzYy04ZTgxLTVmZTU0NDgzNDljOTplMGQzMDFlMy0xMjExLTQ1Y2YtYTgwMy02MzQzMTQxZTAzOWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Brahim Hemdani
An unsung hero in the Rangers midfield, especially during the European campaign. Netted in the shootout. Rangers were his last club in 2009 aged just 31. | Other 3rd Party Photo: SNS Group Steve Welsh
![Had Rangers' first effort on the night. Signed halfway through the season and is back at Ibrox now.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjQ1OGM1NmU0LTk0MzctNDJiOS1hZDI3LWYwN2MxZDgzMTIyOTo2MmZmNTBiZi01MzJlLTQ0M2MtYTA4MS1iMjYxZDI5ZjExOWU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Steven Davis
Had Rangers' first effort on the night. Signed halfway through the season and is back at Ibrox now. | Other 3rd Party Photo: SNS Group Jeff Holmes