Given Rangers off-field troubles back in 2012, Rangers fans wouldn’t have believed their team would reach another European final in the space of 14 years.
Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst and his players have booked their date with destiny against Eintrahct Frankfurt in sunny Seville on Wednesday night.
While the competition is now called the Europa League, the Ibrox club fell at the final hurdle in its previous incarnation as the UEFA Cup.
Following the high of their penalty shoot-out triumph over a Fiorentina side full of experienced internationalists in the semi-finals, the Gers were brought crashing back down to earth as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg in Manchester.
Two members of Walter Smith’s squad (Allan McGregor and Steven Davis) are remarkably set to feature at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium this week.
The current crop of players will hope they can honour Smith, who passed away last year, and legendary kitman Jimmy Bell by lifiting the iconic trophy in the Andalusian capital.
GlasgowWorld looks at the starting XI that night in 2008 and where their careers have subsequently taken them:
UNUSED: Graeme Smith (GK), Christian Dailly, Charlie Adam, Amdy Faye
NOT IN SQUAD: Allan McGregor (GK), Roy Carroll (GK), Alan Hutton, Thomas Buffel, Ugo Ehiogu, Alan Gow, Chris Burke, Ian Murray, Steven Naismith, DaMarcus Beasley, Andy Webster, Filip Sebo, Steven Smith, Daniel Cousin, Paul Emslie, Dean Furman, John Fleck
5. CARLOS CUELLAR - (LCB)
Spaniard left Rangers a few months after 2008 final, heading to Aston Villa in a £2.3m deal. Joined Sunderland four years later before a stint at Norwich City. Returned to his homeland with Almeria in 2015 and had spells with various clubs in Israel before retiring in 2019 Photo: SNS Group Alan Harvey
6. SASA PAPAC - (LB)
Bosnian international remains a firm favourite among supporters, Groin injury curtailed the end of his Gers career and was forced into retirement in 2012. Spell as technical director of Zeljeznicar but left in 2018. Was back at Ibrox for a recent legends match in March Photo: SNS Group Jeff Holmes
7. BRAHIM HEMDANI - (CDM)
Algerian defensive midfielder was a European specialist under Walter Smith. Not always a regular starter and the 2008 final proved to be his last match for the club after being frozen out the following season | Other 3rd Party Photo: SNS Group Steve Welsh
8. BARRY FERGUSON - (CM)
Suffered his only final loss as a player in this game during his second spell at his boyhood club. Left for Birmingham City in July 2019 and tasted League Cup glory with Alex McLeish. Spells at Blackpool and Fleetwood followed before stepping to management with Clyde. Led Kelty Hearts to the SPFL but was sacked by Alloa Athletic earlier this season Photo: SNS Group Jeff Holmes