Of all the many shambolic episodes that coloured Rangers’ journey back up through the leagues, few could compare to their meeting with Annan Athletic at Ibrox in March 2013.
The club’s financial implosion of the previous year was still an open wound as they embarked on the first post-apocalyptic steps through the old Third Division.
Charles Green was still calling the shots and famously branded Ally McCoist’s stuttering side as the worst Rangers team in history.
If that quote was intended to prompt some kind of reaction, a 2-1 home defeat to the part-timers of Annan certainly wasn’t what anyone would have had in mind.
The fact that Rangers are now in a very different place goes without saying. With Danny Rohl continuing to do a fine job, they are upwardly mobile on and off the pitch.
But Annan return to Ibrox tonight in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup looking to cause another shock, a giant killing which would far outweigh that triumph 13 years ago and, indeed, Queen’s Park’s win there last season.
Annan travelled to Ibrox on League Two duty back in 2013 after Rangers were liquidated
Annan shocked Rangers, winning 2-1 with the aid of a goal from David Hopkirk
In last year’s Scottish Cup, Queen’s Park shocked Rangers again, with James Tavernier missing a penalty in their defeat
Many will view it as mission impossible. But the same would have been said of non-league Macclesfield dumping FA Cup holders Crystal Palace out of the competition last weekend.
‘You see it happens every year, there are upsets, look at Crystal Palace last weekend,’ said Annan skipper Tommy Muir. ‘I think it was only the other night that Paris FC beat PSG in a cup as well.
‘Real Madrid lost in the cup the other night as well [a 3-2 defeat to second-division Albacete]. It’s always happening. We’ve got that belief.’
Asked whether this would rank in terms of all-time shocks, Muir continued: ‘I think it would definitely top the Queen’s Park result last season.
‘That result last season gives us a bit of belief. We know it’s possible, it can be done.
‘I think that might factor into Rangers’ team selection as well. That result last season can happen, so they might not make as many changes.
‘I think it would be the biggest shock for a good few years anyway if we can do it.’
For Muir, it will be the proudest moment of his life when he leads his team out under the lights at Ibrox. The fixture has also caused a minor squabble in the family.
‘Most of my family are big Celtic fans, but my oldest brother, Robert, he’s a Rangers fan,’ explained the skipper, who is a self-employed joiner.
‘He took it from my grandad, so he was one of the first people I phoned when I got the draw. I just kind of tried to wind him up, saying I’m going to live his dream of playing at Ibrox!
‘He was actually winding me up saying he wasn’t going to bother coming to watch, but I’ve got him a ticket and he’s going to come up.
‘He’s going to be in the Annan end. He was telling me he was going to go in the Rangers end, which I wasn’t too happy about.
‘He got a few bites from me with that one, but he’s finally folded and got a ticket in the Annan end with the rest of my family, so it’ll be brilliant.
‘You get all the locals from both sides. The Celtic fans have been telling me to make sure I give them a good kick, stuff like that!
‘In Dalbeattie [where he is based], every time you’re in a builders’ merchant getting material, it’s all anybody has spoken about since the draw. It’s really exciting now it’s finally here.’
Annan Athletic captain Tommy Muir isn’t ruling out another cup upset on Friday night
Annan currently play in the SPFL’s League Two, where they sit seventh. Due to the recent cold snap and postponements, they haven’t played at all since December 27.
Willie Gibson’s side are part-time and train twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The long hours and travelling can make it a test of character and commitment, especially during the winter.
‘I don’t think people fully understand what’s involved when you are part-time,’ explained Gibson, the 41-year-old veteran who is player-manager.
‘I’ve got a few players based in the central belt area. They will leave the house in the morning when it’s still dark. They will then go and do an eight-hour shift.
‘Then they will jump in the car and drive down to Annan two nights a week for training when it’s dark as well and miserable conditions during the winter.
‘But they are dedicated and they do it. All the players have been fantastic in that regard, really committed, so this tie is a reward for them.
‘But, in saying that, we aren’t just going there to make up the numbers. It is a big tie and we’re looking forward to it. We’re going to try and do a job.’
Gibson has some personal history at Ibrox. In 2012, whilst playing for Queen of the South in a Challenge Cup tie against Rangers, he was sent off, only for the Doonhamers to win on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
Still going strong despite being the other side of 40, the former Kilmarnock, Dunfermline and Stranraer man is confident he can still do a job for his team on the pitch.
‘The last time I was there as manager of Queen of the South, I actually dropped myself and gave a young boy his debut at Ibrox,’ he said.
‘But I’ve played every game bar one due to a suspension this year, so I think it would be harsh if I was to drop myself.’
Rangers are expected to rotate their squad as Rohl looks to give minutes to some of the fringe players around the squad.
But, given the gulf in quality, Gibson won’t be suckered into believing that they would suddenly be vulnerable. The Annan boss also pointed to the £4million acquisition of Danish midfielder Tochi Chukwuani this week.
Player-manager Willie Gibson knows the odds are against his side but wants a performance Annan can be proud of at Ibrox
‘Rangers brought a boy in earlier this week, a midfielder, for £4million. That just shows you the difference,’ he said, with Gibson also confirming that Annan will take just over 1,000 fans to Ibrox tonight.
‘Whatever team they put out, it’ll be a top side. We know we are up against it and that the odds will be stacked against us.
‘We will go there, concentrate, and focus on ourselves. Hopefully we can deliver a performance that everyone associated with the club can be proud of.
‘Just before the draw was made, I think everyone had written them off. But Danny Rohl has come in and done a right good job to get them back into the title race.
‘Hearts are defying the odds at the moment, but I think Celtic and Rangers will push them all the way. For us to go there and get a result, it would surprise a lot of people.
‘But clearly this is a very different Rangers side now. We are massive underdogs, but we need to go there and have belief in ourselves.’
