IT is 50 years ago today that the Bears were crowned in Barcelona as Rangers lifted the European Cup Winners' Cup with victory over Dynamo Moscow.
Here is the story of the season and how those Light Blue legends earned their shot at glory in Spain with a remarkable European run.
FIRST ROUND
The road to Barcelona and Ibrox immortality began in France and it was one of the final heroes that got Rangers off and running against Stade Rennes.
A second half strike from Willie Johnston gave Rangers the lead and they still had the advantage in the tie heading into the return leg at Ibrox despite a late equaliser for the French side.
It was one they made the most of. Alex MacDonald netted the only goal of the game a fortnight later as Willie Waddell’s side progressed and set up a meeting with Sporting Lisbon.
SECOND ROUND
This tie would prove to be one of the most remarkable in Rangers’ European history as a 6-6 aggregate draw – after a 3-2 Ibrox win and 4-3 defeat in Portugal – was followed by a penalty loss.
It was, of course, a shoot-out that should never have taken place and it was only once the teams had left the field that Dutch referee Laurens van Raavens was made aware that Rangers should have progressed on the away goals rule. The result was overturned and Sporting were out.
Colin Stein netted four times in the tie and Willie Henderson scored twice as Rangers rightly booked their place in the last eight after a night of drama.
QUARTER-FINALS
Johnston was again on the scoresheet as Rangers earned a draw on the road and set themselves up for an occasion to remember at Ibrox as Torino were overcome. It was the first time that Rangers had seen off Italian opposition over two legs.
The Serie A leaders had given themselves hope when Paolo Pulici levelled the tie in Turin but a famous win back in Glasgow saw Rangers march on to the last four.
MacDonald was the hero on that occasion and his strike just after the interval was all that was needed to set up the historic tie with Bayern Munich as Rangers dared to dream.
SEMI-FINALS
An own goal from Rainer Zobel cancelled out a Paul Breitner strike that had given a formidable Bayern side the lead in the tie. It was just the start for Rangers.
Sandy Jardine struck inside the first minute to put the hosts ahead at Ibrox. The German giants were stunned and a raucous home crowd roared their side over the line and to a famous victory.
Youngster Derek Parlane – drafted in to take care of Franz Roth – marked his European debut with a goal on 22 minutes and there was no way back for one of the most revered Bayern sides and a group of players who would go on to conquer Europe and the world in the coming years.
