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Ross Pilcher

Rangers 2008 UEFA Cup XI - where they are now ahead of Europa League final?

Fourteen years on from their last European final, Rangers are preparing to take part in another.

They have a date with destiny against Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville this Wednesday.

The competition may be called the Europa League these days, but the Ibrox club made it all the way to the last hurdle in its previous incarnation as the UEFA Cup.

Read more: Steven Davis set to join elite Rangers group but humble star 'avoids spotlight'

A 2-0 defeat to Russian cracks Zenit St Petersburg was a painful one for the blue half of Glasgow.

Two of their 2007/08 squad are set to feature at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan this week - Allan McGregor and Steven Davis - proving the incredible longevity both have shown over glittering careers.

Sadly, legendary manager Walter Smith passed away last year, although the current crop can honour him and the late Jimmy Bell by lifting the trophy in Spain.

Football Scotland has taken a look at the starting XI that night at the City of Manchester Stadium [now the Etihad] and where their careers have taken them since.

Neil Alexander

The goalkeeper got his final chance after Allan McGregor was ruled out through injury.

Moved on to Crystal palace before making a Championship title winning return to Hearts in 2014.

Spells at Aberdeen, Livingston and Dunfermline followed. Retired from playing in 2018 and became Dundee United goalkeeping coach and is currently part of John Hughes’ backroom team at Dunfermline.

Read more: Martin O'Neill sends Rangers a simple message ahead of Europa League final in Seville

Read more: Glentoran boss Mick McDermott reads riot act after "inexcusable" European play-off collapse

Kirk Broadfoot

Left Rangers in 2012 after the club's liquidation and joined Blackpool before moving on to Rotherham United.

Returned to Scotland in 2017 with Kilmarnock then returned a year later after a short spell with St Mirren.

Joined Inverness CT last summer and could help lead the Highlanders back to the Premiership with a play-off final clash with St Johnstone to come this week.

David Weir

The veteran defender retired in 2012 and had a short spell managing Sheffield United after initially coaching at Everton.

Returned to Ibrox as Mark Warburton’s assistant after the pair worked together at Brentford.

Left after Warburton was sacked in 2017 and is now technical director at English Premier League outfit Brighton.

Carlos Cuellar

The Spanish centre back left Rangers just a few months after the 2008 final, joining Aston Villa in a £2.3million deal.

Spent four years at Villa Park before joining Sunderland, and then on to Norwich City from the Stadium of Light.

Returned to Spain with Almeria in 2015 before spells with several Israeli clubs prior to retirement in 2019.

Sasa Papac

The Bosnian left back was a firm favourite at Ibrox.

A persistent groin injury caused problems towards the end of his time in Govan though, and he was forced to retire after leaving the club in 2012.

Had a spell as technical director of Zeljeznicar in his homeland but left there in 2018.

Was recently back at Ibrox for a legends match to mark the club’s 150th anniversary.

Brahim Hemdani

The Algerian was something of a European specialist for Rangers as Walter Smith regularly drafted him into midfield for the big Euro nights.

The final proved to be his last match for the Light Blues after he was frozen out the following season and left in January 2009.

Barry Ferguson

Former Rangers captain Barry Ferguson (Getty)

The 2008 final ended up being the only final Ferguson ever lost as a player.

His second spell at his boyhood club came to an end in July 2009 when he left for Birmingham City.

He tasted League Cup success with the St Andrews club under Alex McLeish.

Spent three years at Blackpool, which included a loan to Fleetwood Town before hanging up his boots.

His managerial career saw him take charge of Clyde before leading Kelty Hearts to the SPFL.

Stint in charge of Alloa didn’t go well and Ferguson was sacked earlier this season.

Is a regular radio pundit and newspaper columnist these days.

Kevin Thomson

Thomson left Rangers two years after the Manchester defeat to Zenit, signing for Gordon Strachan’s Middlesborough.

Injuries hampered his time on Teeside though, and he rejoined formative club Hibs in 2013.

The Hibees suffered relegation the following season though, and Thomson signed a one-year deal with Dundee.

Was back at Easter Road for a third spell a year later, and helped the Easter Road club win the 2016 Scottish Cup.

Finished his playing career with a brief spell at Tranent Juniors before returning to Rangers as an academy coach.

Replaced former teammate Ferguson as Kelty Hearts boss last summer and led them to the League Two title this campaign.

Steven Whittaker

Left Ibrox after liquidation in 2012 to sign for Norwich City.

Spent five years at Carrow Road before re-joining Hibs in 2017.

Three years back at Easter Road ended when he signed for Dunfermline and was recently first team coach until agreeing to become Scott Brown’s assistant at Fleetwood Town last week.

Steven Davis

Rangers and Northern Ireland star Steven Davis pictured at Seville airport. (Tony Nicoletti Daily Record)

Incredibly, is about to be involved in his second European final with the Gers, 14 years on from the last one.

Spent seven years at Southampton from 2012 until 2017, then returned to Rangers for a second spell, initially on loan.

Is unlikely to start in Seville and is out of contract at the end of the season, but what better way to sign off than with a Europa League winners medal?

Jean-Claude Darcheville

Led the line for Rangers that night, but departed the club the following January to return to France with Valenciennes.

Spent a year in Greece before returning to France and retiring in 2014.

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