THEY say a week is a long time in politics but, for Rangers, seven days in May 1967 proved to be cataclysmic.

Impressively, Scot Symon’s side had defeated holders Borussia Dortmund, Spanish side Zaragoza and Slavia Sofia en route to the Cup Winners’ Cup final having taken care of Glentoran in the first round.

They were to face West Germany’s rising power Bayern Munich – with Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Muller and Sepp Maier in the ranks – in the not-so-neutral venue of Nuremberg on May 31.

However, the leaden weight on their shoulders was the fact that Celtic lifted the European Cup in Lisbon against Inter Milan seven days earlier.

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They performed valiantly with a makeshift side but lost in extra time to Franz Roth’s hook shot and it took them years to recover.

The Rangers directors crudely dispensed with Symon’s services five months later, stung by Celtic’s success, but it was short-sighted and ill -advised.

The defeat in Nuremberg remains painful for stylish centre-half Ronnie McKinnon who was denied the opportunity of redemption when Rangers finally triumphed in Europe in Barcelona five years later – as he broke his leg in the quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon.

McKinnon said: “The fact that Celtic had won the European Cup the week before put an extra burden on our shoulders.

“It was a fantastic achievement by them because a lot of people thought they had no chance against a strong Inter team. From our point of view, it was hard luck to go that far and not complete the job. It was horrible to go all that way and lose a final in extra-time and it was such a sad trip coming home.

“Everyone on that plane knew how much that it meant. It was why Scot Symon got the bullet. There was a big fall-out and I think it took us years to recover. I think the chairman John Lawrence thought he was on for a knighthood if we had won the cup but we’ll never know.”

Significantly, Rangers had made scapegoats of Jim Forrest and George McLean for their humiliating Scottish Cup defeat by Berwick Rangers in January that year and sold both players. With old warhorse Jimmy Millar struggling for fitness, they had no recognised striker for the Cup Winners’ Cup final.

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McKinnon said: “We had a disjointed team in the final. We had to re-arrange and move players around and it wasn’t easy. We had a pattern of play that season and then suddenly it was gone. 

“We played Roger Hynd at centre forward that day and although Roger was a good player, he wasn’t a centre forward. He was a half back or a centre half and it upset the rhythm for us.

“Of course, ironically, the best chance of the game fell to Roger when he got the ball in the middle of their box. He didn’t get enough on the shot and Sepp Maier made the save. 

“That could have been the difference between winning and losing. Roger was played to upset Beckenbauer but it didn’t work. Beckenbauer just strolled about as if he was out on a picnic. He was unbelievable. 

“I felt I got on well against Gerd Muller. He never had a chance in the game so I was happy with that.

“There was nothing really between the teams and that was all the more 
impressive from our point of view because it was like a home game for them. 

“Nuremberg was only 100 miles north of Munich so they had the majority of fans. It surprised me they didn’t change the venue. They took their chances, we didn’t, but the ramifications from that final were significant.”

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Celtic went on to enjoy the greatest period in their history under Jock Stein but while Rangers lived in their shadow they ran them close in the league race each season, unlike current conditions.

McKinnon, part of the Wembley Wizards who won 3-2 against England a month before Nuremberg, feels for current Ibrox boss Pedro Caixinha because he needs support if he is to mount a challenge. The 76-year-old, like many Rangers supporters, is wondering when the promised investment from Dave King is coming.

McKinnon said: “There are so many people out there having a swipe at Pedro but he deserves a chance. 

“However, without money he will have a very difficult climb to get back challenging. We can all see where he needs to strengthen.

“The defence was wide open at times. He needs a leader in there to sort things out. They need players who can bring spark and excitement up front but you don’t get that unless you spend money. 

“So far the chairman hasn’t done that. I read recently that he’s going to give the season-ticket money to Pedro but he said he would come in with plenty of money once they were back in the top flight and there is no sign of it.”