Europe: Chasing Immortality.

Last updated : 31 October 2010 By Number Eight

A rival was crowned king of Europe in that vintage year, and from that tortuous day on, it has been my unwavering ambition to see Rangers conquer this European continent.

Initially, the expectation was that it would be managed within a year or two, but a failure to win the domestic title for nearly a decade put European Cup ambitions on the back burner, and although there have been one or two flirtations since then, the mighty bauble still eludes us. Now, informed opinion suggests that our chance of European glory has gone forever.

I'm not having it. I lived through an era where Celtic and England reached the highest pinnacle, and in each case they confounded the game's experts and pessimists.

Admittedly, times have changed since then, and money has made the game lop-sided and predictable. In truth, it has diminished the sport, but this uneven playing field is one Rangers must cope with if it is to claim the ultimate prize.

Rangers has flourished over many decades on a diet of national league titles, and despite our current financial difficulties, it has made us strong and healthy, but meat and potatoes should take a back seat every once in a while to make way for a generous helping of caviar.

It would be outrageous to suggest that our era of nine successive titles wasn't satisfying, but this pleasurable run of domestic bliss was never adequate compensation for our failure to conquer Everest. I was at almost every domestic game, home and away, during this era, and experienced several European jaunts too, but I was as troubled by our continental failings as I was delighted by our domestic success.

Just occasionally, Rangers have dined at the European top table, but never at its head, and although some are prepared to accept crumbs from it, I want to sample the best dish on the menu - washed down with champagne.

I know what you're thinking - we're cannon fodder now; extras on the main stage, minnows swimming with sharks, outsiders at an insiders' ball, but I say only one thing to that; we are Rangers, and it's because we are Rangers that we should always have an eye on the Olympic standard. This club does domestic success like no other, but it is vital that European glory remains as a primary ambition.

We head to Valencia this week with a squad that would ideally afford the manager more choice, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in spirit, organisation and determination.

The aristocracy in football is only a fraction as good as its hype, and although Rangers are outsiders to advance in this tournament, just as Inverness can take a point from Ibrox, Rangers should be able to bring home a tangible reward from Valencia.

When Rangers are in the Champions League, our season is alive and vibrant. People may think that expectation at this level nowadays is misplaced and naive, but if we ever scramble to the giddy heights of a Champions League final and win it, it will dwarf everything that has gone before.

When the prize is as big as this, it should be fought for with uncompromising ferocity, total commitment, the utmost self-belief and with all guns blazing.

Let this be the year, Rangers. Go on, make yourselves immortal.