Sunday, September 4, 2016

Memorable European Confrontations, Part 26-1979 Koln vs. Rangers Glasgow


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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