Note:
Special thanks to @oldrangerspics for providing Reports and
the photographs necessary for this report.
FC
Koln and Rangers were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1978/79 Champions Cup.
The
West Germans under legendary Manager Hennes Weisweiler had won the domestic
Double the previous season.
The
squad included seasoned Internationals such as Heinz Flohe, Bernd Cullman, as
well as up and coming new and future Internationals such as Harald Schumacher,
Bernd Schuster and Pierre Littbarski.
They
had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating Iceland’s IA Akranes (4-1,
1-1) and Bulgaria’s Lokomotiv Sofia (1-0 away, 4-0).
The
Scottish Champions were managed by the long Serving Rangers Legend John Greig.
He had been appointed, just the previous summer at the conclusion of his
playing career with the club.
The
squad contained the likes of Sandy Jardine, Derek Johnstone and future
Internationals such as Davie Cooper.
They
had qualified from their opening rounds by defeating two of Europe’s
heavyweights: Italy’s Juventus (0-1, 2-0 at home) and Holland’s PSV Eindhoven
(0-0 at home, 3-2 away).
The
first leg, on March 6th, was played at Koln’s Müngersdorferstadion.
As
the home team Koln was expected to attack to rack up a large score.
Koln
striker Dieter Muller was going through a goalscoring slump and his Manager
Hennes Weisweiler had warned him that he must find his goalscoring form.
Koln
Captain Heinz Flohe was perceived as their main threat. He had just returned
from a long injury layoff and there were doubts about his capabilities for such
an important match.
Before
any match could take place, Rangers were faced with poor gamesmanship from
their German hosts.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 40, April 1979
(Rangers
Glasgow’s McCloy and Dawson, March 6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers
Glasgow 0)
|
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1718, March 13, 1979
(Heinz
Flohe and Sandy Jardine, March 6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers
Glasgow 0)
|
Rangers
were prohibited to train on Koln’s pitch, which was contrary to UEFA rules that
permitted visiting teams to train on the opponents pitch 24 hours before a
match. The reason given by the groundsmen was that torrential rain had made the
field unplayable.
The
Rangers delegation stood firm and demanded the right to train, which was
eventually granted (and the field was in good condition). However, this was not
the end of it, apparently the hosts did not provide match balls for training as
they were supposed to have done and this angered the Rangers squad further.
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1718, March 13, 1979
(Rangers
Glasgow’s Tom Forsyth saving a Dieter Muller header on the line, March 6, 1979,
Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers Glasgow 0)
|
Despite
these off the field mind games, Rangers Manager John Greig was confident that
his team could earn a draw or at worst lose by a single goal deficit. Greig
singled out Flohe and Herbert Neumann as the danger men for Koln.
According
to West German Magazine ‘Bild’, SV Hamburg’s English Superstar Kevin Keegan had
been solicited by British clubs (that were competing in Europe vs. West German
opposition) for information and tactics (Koln-Rangers in the Champions Cup and
Manchester City-Moenchengladbach in the UEFA Cup).
Apparently
Keegan had advised Greig on the told best way to counter Koln at Müngersdorferstadion and Ibrox.
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1718, March 13, 1979
(Koln’s
Pierre Littbarski, March 6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers Glasgow 0)
|
Keegan
felt at home Koln were excellent but away from home they were usually a shadow
of themselves.
Greig
had to contend with the unavailability of Derek Johnstone, not to mention the
fact that Forsyth, MacDonald and McLean were to play despite not being fully
fit. Usual reserve, Jim Denny was given a rare opportunity to start.
In
addition, Derek Parlane was suffering from severe toothache. The Rangers team
Doctor had wanted to use injections to relieve the pain.
 |
Photo
From: Onze, Issue 40, April 1979
(Koln’s
Roland Gerber, March 6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers Glasgow 0)
|
John
Greig refused this option as he was concerned with UEFA’s Drug Testing and
wanted to avoid any such problems.
The
player was forced to play with the pain, although the Team Doctor applied a
poultice.
Close
to 1000 police and stewards were on duty due to fear of fan trouble from
Scottish fans.
Koln
were missing the injured Belgian striker Roger van Gool and Japan’s Okudera was
left off the starting lineup.
 |
Photo
From: France Football, Issue 1718, March 13, 1979
(McLean
and Zimmermann, March 6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers Glasgow 0)
|
Koln
had expected to make a killing in the box office, but they were somewhat
disappointed at the turn-out (The match was being shown live on television).
To
advance the Koln players had promised a bonus of 2500 £ each.
As
predicted Koln came out to win and attacked in droves from the start.
Rangers
goalkeeper McCloy was tested constantly but held firm.
The
surprise starter, Denny also impressed with his job of containing Neumann.
As
for his German counterpart, Harald Schumacher was a virtual spectator.
 |
Photo From: (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
(Dieter Muller, March 6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC
Koln 1-Rangers Glasgow 0) |
The
deadlock finally broke in the 58th minute. Heinz Flohe crossed into
the box from the right side and after a scramble Dieter Muller headed in the
winner.
He
also scored another goal that was ruled out due to an infraction.
Despite
keeping up the pressure, Koln could not score another goal (In total Koln had
29 shots on goal).
 |
Photo From: (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
(March
6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers Glasgow 0)
|
Koln
had been so dominant that DfB President Hermann Neuberger felt they produced enough
chances to win three matches.
Koln
Manager Weisweiler was somewhat unsatisfied, as he had wanted at least a
three-goal margin. His only satisfaction was that at least they had not
conceded a goal at home.
He
did praise Rangers’ performance that he described as ‘fairly, like sportsmen’.
Weisweiler
believed if his players battled at Glasgow as they did at home, qualification
would be assured.
 |
Photo From: (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
(March
6, 1979, Champions Cup, FC Koln 1-Rangers Glasgow 0)
|
Rangers
were praised for a brave performance away from home, where they had absorbed
much of the pressure.
Greig
praised his team’s performance (and only a one goal deficit) given the many
injury problems.
In
the end, the heavy security was not needed with the fans. The Koln Police
spokesman described the Scottish fans as ‘drunk but happy’.
March 6, 1979
1.Fußball-Club
Köln (West Germany) 1-Rangers Glasgow Football
Club (Scotland) 0
Champions
Cup- Quarter Finals, First Leg
Venue: Koln- Müngersdorferstadion
Attendance: 40,000
Referee: Erik Frederiksson (Sweden)
Goalscorers: (Koln): Dieter Muller 58th
(Rangers Glasgow): None
Lineups:
1.FC
Koln:
Harald
Schumacher, Harald Konopka, Herbert Zimmermann, Bernd Schuster, Roland Gerber,
Bernhard Cullmann, Jürgen Glowacz (Dieter
Prestin 78th), Heinz Flohe, Dieter Muller, Herbert Neumann, Pierre
Littbarski
Coach:
Hennes Weisweiler
Other Substitutes: Gerald Ehrmann, Yasuhiko Okudera (Japan), Thomas
Kroth
Team
Captain: Heinz
Flohe
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Erima
Shirt
Sponsor: No Advertisement on Shirt
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks
Rangers
Glasgow:
Peter
McCloy, Sandy Jardine, Alistair Dawson, Tommy Forsyth, Colin Jackson, Alexander
MacDonald, Thomas McLean, Robert Russel, Derek Parlane (William Urquhart 68th),
Gordon Smith, James Denny (Alexander Miller 72nd)
Coach:
John Greig
Booked: James Denny 51st (Foul on Neumann)
Other Subs: Kennedy, Davie Cooper, Eric Morris
Team
Captain: Sandy Jardine
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro
Shirt
Sponsor: No Advertisement on Shirt
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
The
second leg, on March 22nd, was played at Glasgow’s Ibrox Stadium.
Once
again off field issues dominated the headlines before the match. For a start
the match had to be postponed for a day due to snow.
Then
the issue of the Television Match Transmission had to be resolved.
Initially,
the Scottish Federation had refused live transmission of the match nor would it
authorize to be broadcast on tape delay.
As
a result STV offered the rights to BBC, but BBC in solidarity stood with their
Scottish counterparts and refused.
In
the end a solution was reached and match was shown live on Television.
The
main talking point prior to the match was whether Rangers’ Derek Johnstone
would be fit to start.
 |
Photo From: (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
(March
22, 1979, Champions Cup, Rangers Glasgow 1-FC Koln 1)
|
In
case of his availability, Weisweiler’s believed Strack should be a must in his
defense to counter him.
Greig
decided to wait until the last moment to verify Johnstone’s availability.
Similarly
Weisweiler also decided to chose his squad at the last possible moment. He
believed a single goal was sufficient for his team to advance.
After
inserting Strack in defense (stopper), he moved Schuster into the midfield with
Glowacz making way. Roger van Gool also started in place of the young
Littbarski. Weisweiler had hinted at Okudera’s presence but in the end did not
play him.
For
Rangers, William Urquhart started in place of Parlane and Davie Cooper started
in place of Denny.
 |
Photo From: (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
(March
22, 1979, Champions Cup, Rangers Glasgow 1-FC Koln 1)
|
In
the end Johnstone did not start and the man chosen to counter him, Strack, did
not last that long either.
He
was injured in the 25th minute and replaced by Prestin.
Rangers
fought bravely, as always, at home, but poor finishing was their undoing.
Their
fate was sealed early in the second half. In the 49th minute,
Konopka took a free kick from the right side that was flicked in from close
range by Dieter Muller.
Right
after the goal, Greig sent on Johnstone as a last ditch effort.
Just
minutes before the end, Rangers scored with a quickly taken free kick by
McLean. But it was too little too late, as they still needed two goals in just
a few minutes to overturn the deficit.
Despite
the elimination, Greig praised his players for once again making Ibrox proud
with their bravery.
Weisweiler
believed Rangers did not play with the same ‘skill and method’ as in Koln.
 |
Photo From: Glasgow Herald (Tuesday,
March 23, 1979) (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
(Sandy
Jardine after the final whistle, March 22, 1979, Champions Cup, Rangers Glasgow
1-FC Koln 1)
|
Rangers
did not end up empty handed that season, they won the two Domestic Cups
(Scottish FA and League Cup), but did lose out on the League title to rivals
Celtic.
This
was Koln’s last chance for any silverware, as they would finish a dismal sixth
in the Bundesliga, just outside of UEFA Cup zone.
Koln
were to face England’s Nottingham Forest in the semifinals.
It
was announced that Nottingham Forest Manager Brian Clough would meet with Greig
to learn about Koln. It must have helped as Nottingham Forest eliminated Koln
and went on to win the Champions Cup.
March 22, 1979
Rangers
Glasgow Football Club (Scotland) 1-1.Fußball-Club Köln (West Germany) 1
Champions
Cup- Quarter Finals, Second Leg
Venue: Glasgow- Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 44,000
Referee: Angel Franco Martinez
(Spain)
Goalscorers: (Rangers Glasgow): Thomas
McLean 86th
(Koln):
Dieter Muller 49th
Lineups:
Rangers
Glasgow:
Peter
McCloy, Sandy Jardine, Alistair Dawson (Derek
Johnstone 50th), Tommy Forsyth, Colin
Jackson, Alexander MacDonald, Thomas McLean, Robert Russel, William Urquhart
(Derek Parlane 64th), Gordon Smith, James Denny (Alexander Miller 72nd)
Coach:
John Greig
Booked: Tommy Forsyth 42nd (Foul on Zimmerman)
Other Subs: Kennedy, Alexander Miller, James Denny
Team
Captain: Sandy Jardine
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Umbro
Shirt
Sponsor: No Advertisement on Shirt
Uniform
Colors: Blue Shirts, Blue Shorts, Blue Socks
1.FC
Koln:
Harald
Schumacher, Harald Konopka, Herbert Zimmermann, Gerhard
Strack (Dieter Prestin 25th), Roland Gerber, Bernhard Cullmann, (Dieter Prestin
78th), Bernd Schuster, Heinz Flohe, Dieter Muller, Herbert Neumann,
Roger van Gool (Belgium) (Jürgen Glowacz 72nd)
Coach:
Hennes Weisweiler
Booked: Heinz Flohe 68th (For Protesting)
Other Substitutes: Gerald Ehrmann, Pierre Littbarski, Yasuhiko Okudera
(Japan)
Team
Captain: Heinz
Flohe
Official
Kit Supplier/Designer: Erima
Shirt
Sponsor: No Advertisement on Shirt
Uniform
Colors: White Shirts, White Shorts, White Socks
References:
France
Football, Issue 1718, March 13, 1979
France
Football, Issue 1720, March 27, 1979
Onze,
Issue 40, April 1979
World
Soccer, April 1979
World
Soccer, May 1979
Glasgow
Herald (Tuesday, March 6, 1979) (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
Glasgow
Herald (Tuesday, March 7, 1979) (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
Glasgow
Herald (Tuesday, March 8, 1979) (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
Glasgow
Herald (Tuesday, March 21, 1979) (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
Glasgow
Herald (Tuesday, March 22, 1979) (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
Glasgow Herald (Tuesday, March 23, 1979) (thanks to @oldrangerspics)
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