Rangers played key role as architects of Champions League and their legacy remains enshrined in revamp
It may be more than four decades since a Scottish club last lifted European silverware, but Rangers' role in shaping the Champions League leaves a lasting impression.
Europe's premier club competition was radically overhauled for this season, with the previous 32 club eight group tournament axed in favour of a new 36 team single league format - where clubs are guaranteed at least eight games, rather than the previous six. However it was former Rangers secretary Campbell Ogilvie who first mooted the idea of a league system, as he looked for ways for the Ibrox club to maximise the number of European games they played after a barren few seasons in the knock-out format of the European Cup.
Initially the former Scottish Football League secretary saw his plans thrown out by UEFA top brass - twice. Before they eventually endorsed his push for a group stage format, leading to the formation of the tournament that would go on to become the most sought-after - and richest - in club football. Figures have shown that more than 400 million people watch the Champions League Final worldwide and the current TV deal is worth more than £1.5bn.
How did Rangers shape the Champions League?
After pressure from the Glasgow club - and others - a group phase was introduced for the 1991/92 European Cup with the eight qualifiers splitting into two sections of four. Rangers didn’t make it as they were knocked out in the first qualifying round on away goals to Sparta Prague, whilst English champions Arsenal went out to Benfica in extra time in the second qualifying round.
But that was still the tournament named the European Cup, with the watershed moment arriving in 1992 - as the Champions League was born - with centralised TV and sponsorship deals agreed and a team of marketing experts brought onboard.
Rangers qualified for the inaugural season, famously beating English champions Leeds United home and away in a game dubbed 'The Battle of Britain' to qualify. They were unbeaten in their group but missed out on reaching the final by a whisker to Marseille who went on to beat AC Milan. However, Msrseille were prevented from defending the trophy by UEFA after match-fixing charges in the French League.
From there the tournament began to grow and expand, moving away from the traditional model of champions only. It moved to four groups of four and knockout rounds in 1994 and from 1997 second-placed clubs were allowed in for the first time. Two years later it was four clubs from the top countries and since 2018 the 16 clubs in the top four divisions automatically qualify for the group phase.
What did Campbell Ogilvie say about its growth?
Speaking to the Scottish Daily Express in 2022, Ogilvie said: "I could not envision where it would lead and where we are now and I have to say I’m not comfortable with the imbalance where the stronger clubs in Europe are so strong and fourth position in the major leagues means direct qualification.
“Conversely the champions of smaller nations have to play up four qualifying rounds so that’s not right in my view. It’s more and more difficult for Rangers and Celtic now. The financial aspect has just exploded. I remember when Rangers beat Parma to qualify in 1999 and the difference between the money from 1992/93 was hugely significant and it continued to spiral."
What do the eight stars represent?
It's a great pub-quiz question. The eight stars in the Champions League logo represent the first eight teams to compete in the tournament following its rebrand: Rangers, Marseille, AC Milan, IFK Goteborg, Club Brugge, Porto, CSKA Moscow and PSV Eindhoven.
