Rangers have had an eventful 8 years since their 2008 UEFA Cup final, but what has life been like for the XI who started that famous night?
Rangers team photo for the 2008 UEFA Cup final
A lot has happened since Rangers reached the final of the UEFA Cup back in 2008. Three consecutive SPL titles, financial meltdown, three promotions in four years and earning back a place in the SPL are just some of the high and lowlights of the last 8 years at Ibrox.
The game itself was only the second time a Scottish team had reached a European final in 20 years, and no Scottish team has managed to do so since. The Gers overcame the likes of Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina, to set up a tie with Zenit St Petersburg at what is now known as the Etihad stadium.
Zenit were managed by a man familiar to Rangers, Dick Advocaat, the Dutchman who won 5 trophies in 3 years at Ibrox. Ultimately, the Russian outfit had too much for Walter Smith’s side, and after dominating the possession in the first half, two second half strikes (one in injury time) secured the clubs first European trophy. Eight years on, we take a look at where that Rangers starting XI is now:
Barry Ferguson captaining Rangers in 2008
Neil Alexander
Former Rangers goalkeeper Neil Alexander spent 5 years at Ibrox before heading south of the border to join Crystal Palace in 2013, where he failed to make a single league appearance. The 38-year-old former Scotland international spent 2 years at Hearts between 2014 and 2016, before joining Aberdeen in the summer.
Kirk Broadfoot
As with Alexander, Kirk Broadfoot spent 5 years with the Gers, and when he left, it was for England. Blackpool was the destination of choice for Broadfoot, where he spent a couple of years before joining his current club Rotherham United.
David Weir
David Weir had an exceptionally successful career at Rangers, winning 8 trophies at the heart of the Gers defence. As seems to be something of a trend here, Weir too spent 5 years at the club, in which time he played more than 150 games and didn’t retire until the ripe old age of 42. The oldest man to ever play for Scotland, Weir is currently the assistant manager at Rangers.
Carlos Cuéllar
Carlos Cuéllar in action during Rangers 2008 UEFA Cup campaign
Uncapped Spanish defender Carlos Cuéllar spent just a single season with Rangers, although it was a memorable one, winning the double and reaching the final of the UEFA Cup. Having joined the club from Osasuna, he departed for Aston Villa in 2008, where he went on to have 4 successful years. Now aged 35, Cuéllar is currently starring for Maccabi Petah Tikva FC of the Israeli Premier League.
Sasa Papac
Former Bosnian international Sasa Papac spent 6 years at Rangers, in which time he won 8 trophies. He retired with the club in 2012, aged 32, having had difficulties overcoming a groin injury. Papac now works as a scout for the Bosnian national team.
Brahim Hemdani
The 2008 UEFA Cup final was the last game Brahim Hemdani played for Rangers, falling out-of-favour during the 2008/09 campaign and ultimately retiring at the end of that season. Born in France, Hemdani won 2 caps for Algeria, and played for Cannes, Strasbourg and Marseille.
Steven Whittaker
Steven Whittaker celebrates scoring for Rangers
A product of the Hibernian youth setup, Steven Whittaker joined Rangers in 2007, and left the club in 2012. The right-back played over 200 games for the Gers, winning 8 trophies before moving on to Norwich, where he remains and has played in both the Premier League and the Championship.
Barry Ferguson
Barry Ferguson spent 11 years at Rangers in two separate spells, playing 431 games for the club in that time, scoring 60 goals, captaining the team and winning 15 trophies. He left the club in 2009, spending 5 years in England, where he played for Birmingham, Blackpool and Fleetwood. Ferguson is now the manager of Scottish League Two outfit Clyde.
Kevin Thomson
Walter Smith’s Rangers team of 2008 reached the final of the UEFA Cup by being built on a formidable defence, and he took that one step further for the final, packing the midfield and playing two holding midfielders.
One of these was former Scotland international Kevin Thomson, who spent 3 years at Ibrox, before also heading south of the border to Middlesbrough. Thomson is now 31, and most recently had brief stints with Hibernian and minnows Tranent Juniors, but left the latter due to his media commitments.
Steven Davis
Steven Davis whilst playing for Rangers in 2011
Northern Ireland captain Steven Davis first starred for Rangers on-loan from Fulham, before making the move a permanent one. He went on to play over 150 games for the Gers before sealing a move to Southampton where he remains.
Jean-Claude Darcheville
Jean-Claude Darcheville had quite a nomadic career, representing nine different clubs, from five different countries. He was already into his 30’s when he joined Rangers in 2007, and stayed at Ibrox until 2009. The former French Guianan international is now 41, and retired in 2011, following a brief stint in Greece.
Former Rangers boss Walter Smith
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