Rangers make their first return to the scene of one of the most bittersweet triumphs in their history tonight, with the match against Barcelona in Camp Nou conjuring memories of the 1972 Cup Winners' Cup final. The Ibrox side claimed their solitary European trophy in Catalonia 25 years ago with a 3-2 victory over Dynamo Moscow.
What followed proved the first of several spats between Rangers and Uefa. The Scottish side were fined and handed a one-year European ban on account of their fans' over-exuberant celebrations. Even Willie Waddell, the then manager, openly castigated his support, labelling them "hooligans, louts and drunkards".
Rangers' class of 2007 will have up to 20,000 travelling fans backing them tonight, even though the club's official ticket allocation was only a quarter of that number, a matter which has ensured Spain's anti-violence commission has classed this as a high-risk encounter.
Riot police clashed with Rangers fans during a match against Osasuna in Pamplona in March.
The Scots were also fined for sectarian chanting and an attack on the Villarreal team bus by supporters during their previous visit to Spain in March 2006.
Yet Ally McCoist, the assistant manager, has praised supporters for travelling in such high numbers. "I think it's fantastic," said McCoist. "As soon as the draw was made, this was the tie everybody wanted to go and watch. I just hope they go and behave themselves and enjoy themselves, because it's a wonderful city as well."
In football terms, Rangers have little to lose. Their scoreless draw against Frank Rijkaard's side in Glasgow a fortnight ago added to a return of seven points from three group games; Rangers will qualify for the last 16 for the second time in three years, no matter the outcome tonight and in their forthcoming trip to Stuttgart, if they defeat Lyon on December 12th.
Manager Walter Smith, though, believes there is no such thing as a "no pressure" game for his team and is all too aware of Barca's threat, particularly from set-pieces.
"Everyone knows about Barcelona," said Smith, whose side are, impressively, undefeated in their last nine Champions League outings, "but an aspect of play that we have to be careful of is not giving away too many free-kicks in and around the box. That is something we have tried to preach before all the Champions League games."
Kevin Thomson misses out through suspension, but Jean-Claude Darcheville has returned to full fitness and should play.
The hosts can call on Thierry Henry and Ronaldinho, who scored once and twice respectively in Sunday's 3-0 win over Real Betis.
