Barcelona 72

"Barcelona 72"

European Cup Winners Cup Final 24th May 1972, probably the greatest moment in Rangers long and distinguished history. Domestically 1971-72 had not been a great season for the Bears, but in May all roads led to Spain as around 20,000 Bears fans descended on the Catalan capital to witness a new chapter in the story of this famous club. Along the way the Gers had seen off some of the top sides in Europe including Bayern Munich, who formed the backbone of the 1972 West German European Championship winning side and World Cup Winning side of 1974. In the Final they faced Russian aces Moscow Dynamo. A goal by Colin Stein and two from Willie Johnston put the Gers on easy street, until Eschtreckov pulled one back on sixty minutes. As Rangers reeled the Russians mounted pressure on the Bears goal. With three minutes remaining they scored again. Makovikov broke through to smash the ball passed McCloy to ensure a nail-biting finish. But the Bears held on to win. As the Rangers Fans invaded the pitch to celebrate, heavy handed Spanish Police caused a battle, which stopped the players accepting their accolade. The scenes that followed robbed Rangers of the chance to defend the trophy when they were banned from European Competition.

(Scroll down for video highlights of the Semi-Final and Final)

The captains exchange pendants before kick off

Rennes (France) Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) Torino (Italy) Bayern Munich (West Germany) Moscow Dynamo (Russia)
Pendants the Gers were given during thier European campaign

Round One

15th Sep 1971
Rennes 1 Rangers 1
(Redon) (Johnston)
Att 13,993

Colin Stein out jumps the Rennes defence at Ibrox

28th Sep 1971
Rangers 1 Rennes 0
(McDonald)
Att 44,000
Agg 2-1

Round Two

Willie Henderson in action v Sporting at Ibrox

20th Oct 1971
Rangers 3 Sporting Lisbon2
(Stein (2), Henderson) (Chico, Gomes)
Att 50,000

3rd Nov 1971
Sporting Lisbon 4 Rangers 3
(Yazalde,Tome, Gomes, Perez) (Stein (2), Henderson)
Att 60,000
Agg 6-6 Rangers on away goals after toss of a coin fiasco.

Round Three

8th Mar 1972
Torino 1 Rangers 1
(Pulici) (Johnston)
Att 40,000

Alex McDonald scores against Torino at Ibrox

22nd Mar 1972
Rangers 1 Torino 0
(McDonald)
Att 75,000
Agg 2-1

Semi Final

5th April 1972
Bayern Munich 1 Rangers 1
(Breitner) (Zobel(og))
Att 44,000

Click above for highlights of the Ibrox clash

19th Apr 1972
Rangers 2 Bayern Munich 0
(Jardine, Parlane)
Att 80,000
Agg 3-1

Smith and Mathieson block Hoeness at Ibrox

The players enjoy their victory

Final
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24th May 1972
Rangers 3 Moscow Dynamo 2
(Stein, Johnston(2)) (Eschtrekov, Makovikov)
Att 35,000

Team: McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Johnstone, Smith, McLean, Conn, Stein, MacDonald, Johnston

Click above for highlights of the Final

Stein opens the scoring in the Nou Camp

Johnston heads number two

Captain Marvel with the trophy which was presented in a cupboard under the stairs.

Joyous Bears take to the field for a square go with the Spanish Police.
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Gers players show there prise at a rain soaked Ibrox