The Gers have enjoyed an impressive European campaign to date, with away victories over both Malmo and OGC Nice standing out, with the Light Blues currently occupying eighth place in the standings having taken 10 points from five matches thus far.
Here’s everything you need to know about our English opponents:
HISTORY
A more than well-established English top-flight club, Tottenham have been crowned champions of their nation on two previous occasions, with the first coming back in the 1950/51 season, before adding to that tally exactly ten years later.
They are also one of the most successful clubs in the most prestigious national cup competition in the world, the FA Cup, winning the trophy on eight occasions, most recently in 1991.
Spurs were one of the five clubs that pushed for the founding of the Premier League back in 1992 and went a long period until the mid-2000’s finishing mid-table most seasons but winning few trophies, with their last piece of major silverware coming in the form of the League Cup back in 2008, whilst achieving a highest league finish of second back in 2017, losing out to eventual title winners, Chelsea.
On the European stage, the Londoners are two time winners of the Europa League in its formerly known name as the UEFA Cup claiming successes in the 1971/72 campaign and then again in 1983/84.
Prior to last season, Spurs had enjoyed a run of 13 consecutive years competing in European competitions, with a particular highlight seeing them as the runners-up in the 2018/19 Champions League final in Madrid.
After a one-season absence, the Lilywhites are back on the European stage having achieved a fifth-place finish in the Premier League last season and like their Thursday opposition, have also taking 10 points from five matches in this season’s competition so far.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Whilst the competitive meetings in the past between the teams is extremely brief, the two sides have faced off in a number of friendly matches at Ibrox Stadium.
You have to go back to the 1962/63 Cup Winners Cup for the first fixtures between the two, with the English side prevailing 8-4 on aggregate over two legs which included a 3-2 win in front of 80,000 fans in Glasgow, before they went on to win the trophy that season.
Jimmy Pearce was the match winner in a friendly match at Ibrox in 1969 in a 1-0 win, whilst it was the Gers that came out on top in a win by the same scoreline two years later, with Willie Johnston making the difference on that occasion.
Further friendly matches in the 80’s took place, with four in total, with the two teams sharing a win a piece in that period.
Closer to the present, Rangers and Spurs met for the first time in the 21st century in 2004, with Nacho Novo and Dado Prso making the difference in a 2-0 win at Ibrox on July 28.
The most recent meeting between the two teams came two years ago when then Spurs manager, Antonio Conte, brought his team to Glasgow and ran out 2-1 narrow winners with a double from English forward Harry Kane, with Antonio Colak finding the back of the net that day for the Gers.
CURRENT FORM
Whilst enduring a recent sticky domestic spell, Spurs still hold their fair share of threats and will pose a difficult test for the Gers this evening.
The English side have won just once in their last seven outings in all competitions, albeit with that being a more than impressive 4-0 triumph at the Etihad over last season’s champions Manchester City on November 23.
Their most recent fixture saw them fall on the wrong end of a 4-3 thriller against London rivals Chelsea at the weekend, with the side currently occupying 11th in the Premier League table after 15 matches.
On the European front and likewise with their opponents this evening, they have taken 10 points from their opening five matches and sit nineth in the standings heading into tonight’s round of games.
They began their Europa League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Qarabag before a further two victories over Ferencvaros and AZ Alkmaar were to follow. They have stumbled in their matches of late with a narrow 3-2 away defeat to Galatasary of Turkey before playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Italian giants AS Roma on matchday five.
MANAGER
The English outfit are managed by Ange Postecoglou, who took charge of Tottenham at the beginning of last season and guided them to a fifth place finish in the Premier League table.
Born in Greece, the 59-year-old grew up in Melbourne, Australia, and whilst being a player himself from 1984 to 94, is more known for his coaching successes in that part of the world.
Indeed, he lead Brisbane Roar to becoming the first team to win back-to-back A league titles and in doing so became the most successful coach in the region, winning four league titles.
He has also been in charge of his nation having been appointed the Australia national team manager in October 2013, leading them at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil where they were competitive against the likes of Spain and the Netherlands before ultimately being eliminated at the group stages.
A spell in Japan at Yokohama F.Marinos was to follow, where he guided the club to their first J league title in 15 years. Fans in Scotland will more know the Spurs manager from his two-year spell in the Scottish Premiership.
KEY PLAYER
Son Heung-min has been regarded as one of the most dangerous attacking talents across the globe since his switch to English football back in 2015.
A versatile forward who can play in any of the attacking roles, he is known for his two-footed ability, pace, positioning, movement, close control and finishing.
He has been named the best footballer in Asia on nine previous occasions, whilst in 2021/22 was named the Premier League golden boot winner and finished in the league’s team of the season.
At 32 years of age his consistently levels have been second to none for a number of campaigns, and despite not hitting the heights of recent years this season so far, he has still provided four goals and four assists in 12 league outings and found the back of the net on one occasion in three in Europe so far and will provide a real test to the Gers backline this evening.
WHAT WE’RE SAYING
Manager, Philippe Clement, said of tonight’s visitors: “It is a big challenge but that is what we like, that is what we love and that is what you want here also.
“We have already in this past year had a few really good opponents here on European nights and this club has a big history of that, so for the players these are very challenging and really nice evenings that they can write history in that way. That's why players want to play for Rangers also.”
You can also watch the below ahead of tonight's match against Tottenham Hotspur:
RTV Studios: Battle of Britain - Rangers v Tottenham - 1962
Ibrox Stadium 125 Years | Rangers v Tottenham Hotspur 2004
Press Conference: James Tavernier 11 Dec 2024
Press Conference: Philippe Clement 11 Dec 2024
