TWENTY-THREE years ago, Rangers were at the peak of their powers in the nine in a row era – en route to the Treble and having come within a whisker of reaching the Champions League Final.
However, they were brought crashing to the ground by Partick Thistle on an incredible night at Firhill when assistant boss Gerry Collins compared the Jags to the mighty AC Milan.
Desperately needing a victory to stay in the Premier Division, Thistle romped to a 3-0 victory with goals from Ray Farningham, Grant Tierney and Gerry Britton on May 4, 1993 and it represents the last time the Jags have enjoyed success over Rangers.
Read more: Abdul Osman says Partick Thistle will show Rangers no respect
Tomorrow they head to Ibrox where Mark Warburton is under increasing pressure to deliver after collecting just two points from their last four matches and Britton feels Thistle have ever justification to feel they can pile on the agony.
Britton, Thistle’s Youth Academy director for the past three years, said: “I can’t believe it’s 23 years since we last beat Rangers so I suppose it shows you how rare these things come about.
Read more: Abdul Osman says Partick Thistle will show Rangers no respect
“That game in 1993 was massive for us because it effectively kept us in the top division for another season.
“Ranger had just been crowned champions the weekend before but we had everything to play for.
“Their focus was not just as sharp as it might have been if they were still trying to win the title but they still had a lot of the heavy hitters out like Gough, Hateley and Durrant.
“To get the victory was sensational but to achieve it in the manner that we did was fantastic us. We didn’t just win, we won with a bit of style.
“I’ll never forget Gerry Collins in the dressing room after the game.
“He gets excited at the best of times and tends to get carried away in matches.
“He said ‘You played like AC Milan tonight boys!’.”
Britton would love to see Thistle end their winless run against Rangers tomorrow but he respects Mark Warburton’s style of play and feels they have the quality to recover from their recent troubles.
He added: “There is a bit of pressure on Rangers right now but the players they have are there for a reason. They are good player and the coaching staff is also excellent.
Read more: Abdul Osman says Partick Thistle will show Rangers no respect
“It goes with the territory when you’re involved in the Old Firm that you get stick when things are not running smoothly.
“If you want to be the best then you have to deal with it and I’m sure a lot of the Rangers players will be keen to show they deserve to be at a big club.
“I like the way Mark Warburton plays his football and it has permeated trough to the youth teams.
“We have had a few matches against the different age groups and they all play in a similar way.
“They have an attacking style that is very difficult to play against. They put you under pressure and play with pace and purpose.”
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