One unforgettable afternoon at Dens Park still sends a shiver down Bob Malcolm’s spine.
There’s a wince as he walks down memory lane with MailSport reflecting on a day at Dundee that almost cost Rangers the title.
A 2-2 draw, two penalty misses from Barry Ferguson, two dropped points.
The fear Alex McLeish’s men had blown a nine-point lead and were about to be pipped to the post by Celtic.
Fabian Caballero’s double for the Dark Blues in May 2003 came after Arthur Numan’s opener – but Mikel Arteta took over responsibility from the spot to give the Ibrox side a leveller.
The history books show it would be a happy ending for the Light Blues who swept the board with a domestic Treble which included a title secured on the last day and on goal difference.
But as Rangers head once more to Dundee today, with the title race at boiling point, Malcolm recalls an unfolding nightmare two decades ago.
He said: “It was a mental game. It’s remembered as the one when Barry missed twice from the spot – I remind him of that match now and again.
“Numan scored an early goal for us, we settled down and were doing well.
“All of a sudden it changed. Dundee scored twice, Barry missed a penalty and we went in at the break a goal behind.
“Barry then missed another penalty – we were given three that day – but Arteta scored the final one to get us a point.
“It was also the reason why Arteta became the man to hit the penalties.
“He went on to score the decisive sixth goal from the spot in injury-time against Dunfermline on the last day of the season to win the league for us on goal difference.”
Rangers started to hit the hurdles in the closing stages of the 2002-03 season after moving nine points clear with six games left at the start of April.
Malcolm admits he’s starting to see some similarities with the current campaign.
He said: “This season is shaping up as something similar. There is now no margin for error.
“And again we have Rangers going to Dens Park knowing only a win is acceptable.
“Looking back, it was our own fault it became such a close-run thing. We were nine clear but let that slip.
“We were dragged back and it was due to the type of bad result we had at Dundee.
“After a couple of bad results, the pressure only increases. It starts in the stands then spills out to the players.
“That’s what happened to us that season.
“One mistake now could prove costly and I don’t understand why Rangers aren’t turning up at some games.
“Draws with Dundee United and Motherwell could be decisive and the slips normally come after playing in Europe.
“Rangers were excellent against Red Star on Thursday but they can’t believe they can just turn up on the Sunday and get the results.
“They need to maintain the right attitude in every game.
“Maximum effort is the least you should expect. If they have that, you’d expect Rangers to come out on top given the quality in their squad.”
Rangers lost on away goals to Czech side Viktoria Zizkov in the first UEFA Cup qualifying round back in the 2002-03 season but Malcolm doesn’t believe this campaign’s Europa League exertions can be any excuse for possible domestic failings.
He said: “Europe shouldn’t be a distraction as Rangers have a big enough squad to be able to bring players in and out of the side.
“We are down to the nitty gritty now and ideally you don’t want to be changing too much.
“I hear people talking about how many games Rangers have had to play already and the high demands but I don’t buy into that.
“These players are looked after exceptionally well. If they can’t play 90 minutes on a Thursday then go again on a Sunday, they shouldn’t be playing.
“They are paid a lot of money to turn up and perform. Yes, players can suffer a bit of burnout but these are the games you want to play in.
“If you’re getting burnout at this stage, with so much at stake, then you need to have a right good look at yourself.”
Malcolm, who’s most recent role was assistant boss to Ferguson at Alloa, insists this campaign is too close to call.
He said: “It’s going to the wire. Old Firm games take care of themselves but the problem is about going to places like Dundee and Livingston and getting the right results.
“These teams are scratching for points themselves and Rangers face a side at Dens Park who are fighting to stay in the league. These are hard places to go to when your back’s against the wall.”
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