How Rangers could have lined up had they kept hold of their best players.
Back in February 2012, Rangers had entered administration. Eight months later, they plunged into the liquidation process.
Other member clubs of the then Premier League refused to allow them to adopt the league membership of the former team.
So down the leagues they went, landing in the third division of Scottish football. Now, they are finally back in the top tier after failing at four consecutive promotions at the first time of asking.
If Rangers hadn’t sold their best players before and because of the dreadful situation they found themselves in, what would their best XI look like back in the big time?
Allan McGregor — A product of the Rangers youth academy, the goalkeeper went on to make over 200 appearances for the club, winning 11 major honours in the process.
McGregor joined Turkish club Besiktas following meltdown at Ibrox, before moving to Hull City, where his No 1 spot is untouched when fit.
The best Scottish keeper the club’s supporters have experienced since the days of Andy Goram, McGregor’s position in this side is unquestionable.
Steven Whittaker — Posted on the right side of the defensive back four, the Scot chose against sticking with the club in 2012 and joined Norwich City in the Premier League.
The defender, still at the Canaries, was far better going forward than with his defensive abilities under Walter Smith and Ally McCoist.
80 appearances at Carrow Road since arriving 4 years ago, he has experienced mixed results down south, not always being a first-team regular.
However, the Rangers fans would likely welcome back Whittaker with open arms after a fine time at Ibrox.
Phillipe Senderos — Joined this summer, penning a one-year deal at Ibrox following a successful trial.
The Swiss defender will bring bags of experience, having played for the likes of Arsenal, AC Milan, Everton and Valencia, as well as representing his country at three World Cups.
Senderos could prove key to Mark Warburton’s side this season and should be one of the first names of the teamsheet after the poor start his new team have made defensively this campaign.
Madjid Bougherra — The Algerian spent three very successful years at Rangers, winning the same number of league titles and a domestic cup in each too.
That is certainly no coincidence. The robust defender became a popular figure at Ibrox, a massive part of driving the major honours toward the blue side of Glasgow.
Bougherra moved to Qatar in 2011, continuing to be huge influence after winning the league title twice with Lekhwiya.
He may be in this fantasy XI, but the centre half playing in Scotland’s top tier could become a reality once again after telling STV that a return could be on the cards through Kilmarnock.
Lee Wallace — Current captain of the club, the left-back has been through the thick and thin with Rangers after signing from Hearts in 2011.
He became an instant favourite amongst the supporters and looked a class above when he was competing in the lower divisions.
The 29-year-old is key to Mark Warburton’s eleven, with a lot of emphasis placed on the full-backs when attacking. And Wallace certainly produces.
Sone Aluko — Having previously starred for Aberdeen in the Scottish game, the winger would be pretty hard to stop in full flight.
Aluko was hugely popular during his short stay at Rangers between November 2011 and the summer of 2012.
Twisting and weaving through the midst of opponents, he made an immediate impact when he pulled on the famous blue of the Gers.
Aluko joined Hull City, where had been ever since before moving to Fulham this summer. The supporters at Ibrox would love to see the excitement he brought back on their turf once again.
Steven Davis — The Northern Irishman held on long enough during the hard times so that Rangers were due some money from his new side Southampton.
Signed on loan in 2008, the midfielder would go on to become Rangers captain after the deal was made permanent.
Industrious and hard-working in the middle, it was evident Davis could play outside the domestic game in Scotland.
He is now one of the most underrated midfielders in the Premier League, shining at St Mary’s since leaving Glasgow.
Niko Kranjcar — If the Croatian midfielder can get himself anywhere near fit enough, then his move this summer could represent the best piece of business from Warburton.
Sublimely creative, the 32-year-old is a game-changer who can produce something out of nothing when required and should find the Premiership a smooth run.
A Premier League maestro in his day, Kranjcar played for Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur in England’s top tier, often producing a piece of magic.
Vladimir Weiss — If you asked the Rangers fans one player they could pick to have back from this side, most would probably say this man. And it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it actually happen.
The winger recently looked at the top of his game again at the Euros this summer, continuing his fine form from spells with Lekhwiya and Al-Gharafa in Qatar.
The Slovakian came off the bench in the 2011 League Cup Final against Celtic and provided the assist for the winning goal, lifting the cup after the title that year.
Clearly still an avid fan of his former club, Weiss has remained hugely popular since leaving and has marinated an excellent relationship with the Rangers supporters.
Steven Naismith — Like Whittaker, objected to his contract being transferred to the new side after regularly professing his love and loyalty to the club.
Never arresting, he used his fearless nature and natural zest to be a workhorse in the Rangers team, setting up goals more than often scoring his fair share too.
After leaving in 2012, he signed for Everton and proved to be a steal for the Merseyside club on a free. Naismith is still trying to find his feet at Norwich City after signing in January.
Nikica Jelavic — During his 18 month stay at Rangers, the forward was a player the supporters knew would be subject to interest from sides in England.
Superbly talented and clearly the best striker in the league, the Croatian netted 30 goals in 45 matches.
Jelavic joined Everton during the winter transfer window of 2012, destroying hopes that he’d wait until the summer to depart. But there wasn’t much ill-will because of his popularity.
Though unsurprisingly getting off to a decent start at Goodison Park, he fell out of favour and the goals dried up. Spells at Hull City and West Ham United followed, and is now enjoying life at Beijing Renhe in the Chinese second divison.
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