The early season priority was qualification for the group stages of the Champions League and this was secured with hard-fought victories over FK Zeta and Red Star Belgrade.

However, the European adventure continued for Rangers as they progressed to the semi-finals of the competition by beating Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Sporting Lisbon.

They played Zenit Saint Petersburg, managed by formed Gers boss Dick Advocaat, in Manchester on 14 May.

[2] Rangers had also had a domestic league game postponed to aid their European campaign which resulted in fixture congestion towards the end of the season.

This did not prove to be decisive, as Celtic beat Dundee United 1–0 while Rangers surrendered their hopes of landing the championship with a 2–0 defeat away to the Dons.

However having to play four competitive matches (including a UEFA Cup Final) in the last eight days of the season proved just too much of a problem for Rangers to overcome.

The match was tied 2-2 after extra time, with both goals coming from Kris Boyd who also scored the winning spot kick.

The club played Queen of the South in the final on 24 May 2008 and won the match 3-2 thanks to goals from DaMarcus Beasley and a double from Kris Boyd.