The sign Rangers rattled Man Utd on last Old Trafford trip as moans of 2 stars were music to the ears of Ibrox camp
Kirk Broadfoot watched Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher give the Old Trafford groundstaff dog’s abuse.
It was then he knew Walter Smith’s Rangers had done a job on a top Manchester United side. The big defender was part of the Light Blues team that came away with a 0-0 draw away to the Red Devils in the 2010-11 Champions League. Smith had come up with a defensive masterclass that secured Rangers a point against one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s glory sides.
Broadfoot knew United were rattled when Fletcher and Ferdinand were both having a go at the ground staff for playing into Rangers hands by leaving the grass longer and not watering the pitch. The former Scotland international recalled: “I remember going off at half-time and a couple of the players were having a right go at the groundsmen. It was Rio Ferdinand and Darren Fletcher and they were complaining that they hadn’t watered the pitch enough and it was too sticky for their passing game. They were also saying the grass was too long.
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"When you hear that you know the way we had played was getting to them. It was music to my ears but at the same time we knew we still had another 45 minutes to finish off the job.”
United had their galaxy of stars from Wayne Rooney and Ferdinand, Ryan Giggs and Michael Owen. Rangers had been written off but Broadfoot knew that group, under the tactical genius of Smith, loved upsetting the odds and just a couple of years earlier had made the UEFA Cup final.
“Every game is massive when you are at Rangers,” he added. “They are even bigger when they are in the Champions League and you are up against the top clubs at the likes of Manchester United at Old Trafford. We were on a decent run and I remember going to United. United were big favourites but I remember Walter Smith had us well-drilled.
“He was more than happy for us to sit back in our shape and to invite United on to us. He wanted us to be disciplined because he knew that United would try and entice us out and then spring us once we were out of position.”
Broadfoot’s one regret from that Old Trafford clash was that Rangers never got the chance to claim a famous win. He was actually fouled in the box by Chris Smalling but United got the benefit of the doubt.
“We actually defended well and came away with a point but I still believe we should have had the chance to win the game,” Broadfoot insisted. “I was brought down in the box by Chris Smalling. It should have been a penalty, I think Graeme Souness on the television also claimed it was a penalty. But it wasn’t to be.
“We ended up taking a point. I remember Walter Smith came in and told us well done. He didn’t say much but we knew by his reaction how pleased he was. It was then on to the next game because that is the way it is at Rangers.”
Rangers almost got another result at Ibrox but were undone by a Wayne Rooney penalty. Lionel Messi famously called Rangers’ approach anti-football but for the Light Blues it was their best chance to get a result against Europe’s elite.
Broadfoot admitted: “We actually were unlucky not to get another point against United at home. Stevie Naismith just gave away the penalty, which Wayne Rooney scored. There wasn’t too much in the game and again we frustrated United but they managed to get that all-important goal.
“They would just have been relieved to get over the line because we really stifled them over the two games. Lionel Messi had previously called Rangers’ approach anti-football. The Manchester United players probably thought the same thing but they never went public with their views.
“In fairness, Walter Smith set us up to get results against the top teams and look at the results the team achieved. That same season went on to make the Champions League final and lost to Barcelona 3-1. When you look back and look at things we almost matched them all the way over those two games.”
Rangers are sitting in eighth place just one behind Manchester United. New boss Ruben Amorim claimed it was maybe the worst Manchester United team in history after they lost to Brighton at the weekend. Broadfoot knows they are not the force they once were and the timing of this game could be perfect for Rangers.
Clement’s side has struggled domestically but in Europe they have excelled with wins over Malmo, FCSB and Nice and draws with Tottenham Hotspur and Olympiacos. The point with Ange Postecoglou’s side will also have given the Rangers players a shot in the arm going into this one. Broadfoot acknowledged: “In fairness, it is as good a time as any to play Manchester United.
“They are still finding their feet under their new manager, who said at the weekend that this could be the worst Manchester United team in history. I’m not sure Philippe Clement and his players will be reading too much into that.
“They will just be concentrating on their own game. Rangers have done really well in Europe.
“They have got some great results and also surprised a lot of people getting that draw with Tottenham Hotspur. That will give them confidence that they can go and get a result against English Premier League opposition. I’m sure that Rangers will be confident that if they can perform then they will have a good chance of taking something.”
