Liverpool v Rangers: Latest instalment in football's Battle of Britain clashes

The battle of Britain between Liverpool and Rangers promises to be another special European night at Anfield.

It is the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides and takes place on the biggest stage of them all – the Champions League.

But it’s just the latest instalment in a long history of clashes between English and Scottish sides, as well as Welsh teams, in European competiton.

STV News takes a look back at some of the most memorable ties.

July 2019 – Kilmarnock 0-2 Connah’s Quay Nomads (2-3 on aggregate) in Europa League

Scotland boss Steve Clark guided Kilmarnock to a third-place in the Scottish Premiership when he was at the helm of the Ayrshire club in 2019.

Shortly after that achievement he departed Rugby Park to take the reins of the national side and his replacement, Angelo Alessio, suffered the embarrassment of being in charge when Welsh outfit Connah’s Quay Nomads sent Killie spiralling out of the Europa League in the first qualifying round.

Kilmarnock had a slender one-goal advantage following the first-leg in Rhyl but crashed out to the part-time visitors after Ryan Wignall and Callum Morris netted in the return fixture.

August 2018 – Burnley 3-1 Aberdeen (4-2 on aggregate) in Europa League

The Dons travelled south to Lancashire in buoyant spirits after drawing 1-1 with Premier League Burnley at Pittodrie in the first leg of this all-British Europa League tie.

Derek McInnes’ side went behind early on at Turf Moor but Lewis Ferguson scored a sensational overhead quick to equalise.

It took extra time but Burnley eventually proved too strong, running out 3-1 winners on the night and triumphing 4-2 on aggregate.

September 2016 – Celtic 3-3 Manchester City in Champions League

Pep Guardiola brought his star-studded Manchester City side to the east end of Glasgow on Champions League duty in September 2016.

In a thunderous atmosphere at Parkhead, Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic led twice in the first half through Moussa Dembele and an own goal by Raheem Sterling.

Fernandinho equalised for City to make it 1-1, while Sterling netted the visitors’ second. Dembele put Celtic ahead once again early the second half but Nolito’s strike ensured the points were shared in a classic encounter.

August 2012 – Liverpool 1-1 Hearts (2-1 on aggregate) in Europa League

Hearts travelled to Anfield still in their Europa League tie with Liverpool following a slender 1-0 defeat at Tynecastle in the first leg.

David Templeton’s late strike squirmed through Pepe Reina’s hands with six minutes remaining and it looked as though Hearts were set to force extra-time in this play-off.

But there was heartbreak for the Edinburgh side when Luis Suarez scored two minutes from time and sent the Reds into the group stage.

August 2011 – Tottenham 0-0 Hearts (5-0) on aggregate in Europa League

Hearts only had pride at stake when they travelled to White Hart Lane in 2011 after being demolished 5-0 by Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham in the first leg at Tynecastle.

And pride was indeed restored as the Jambos left the capital with a 0-0 draw against a youthful Spurs team. Jamie MacDonald saved a penalty from Harry Kane, who was making his first-team debut for the club.

Kane has since gone on to become England’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, just two behind Wayne Rooney.

November 2010 – Rangers 0-1 Manchester United in Champions League

Talking of Rooney, it was the Liverpudlian who scored the only goal of the match when Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United won 1-0 at Ibrox in the Champions League group stage in 2010.

Rooney’s late penalty in Govan put Manchester United in a strong position in the group. Rangers got a point in Turkey against Bursaspor in their final match to finish third – dropping into the Europa League as a result.

August 2009 – Arsenal 3-1 Celtic (5-1 on aggregate) in Champions League

Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Parkhead had the Gunners firmly in control of this Champions League play-off tie when Celtic came calling to the Emirates in 2009.

A contentious penalty further strengthened Arsenal’s advantage and Celtic were 3-0 down on the night in London when Massimo Donati scored a very late consolation with the last kick of the game.

November 2008 – Celtic 1-1 Manchester United in the Champions League

Gordon Strachan gave 19-year-old Cillian Sheridan his Champions League debut in this 2008 Champions League clash against Manchester United.

But the Parkhead side’s first goal in this season’s competition came via Scott McDonald, with the Australian lobbing Ben Foster to give Celtic the lead.

Ryan Giggs spoiled the party, however, with a late header ensuring the points were shared.

November 2006 – Celtic 1-0 Manchester United in the Champions League

Shunsuke Nakamura will forever be immortalised at Celtic for his outrageous free-kick against Manchester United in 2006.

The Japanese curled an unstoppable 30-yard effort beyond the stretching Edwin van der Sar to take Celtic through to the knockout stage.

Artur Boruc also saved a last-minute penalty from Louis Saha. Parkhead has seen many famous European nights but this victory is well up there as one of the best.

October 2003 – Rangers 0-1 Manchester United in the Champions League

Sir Alex Ferguson came face-to-face with Scottish opponents in a competitive match for the first time during his tenure as Man Utd boss when he took his side to Ibrox for a Champions League group clash in 2003.

Phil Neville’s goal after less than five minutes was enough to send Fergie away happy from his home city as the Reds won 1-0.

November 2002 – Blackburn Rovers 0-2 Celtic (0-3 on aggregate) in UEFA Cup

Celtic embarked on a memorable run to the UEFA Cup final in the 2002-2003 season.

Martin O’Neill’s team eventually lost out to Jose Mourinho’s Porto in the final, but they took out Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, Stuttgart, Celta Vigo and Boavista en route to the showpiece match.

In the second round of that season’s competiton, Celtic defeated Blackburn 1-0 at Parkhead and then won 2-0 at Ewood Park with goals from Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton against his former club.

October 1992 – Leeds United 1-2 Rangers (2-4 on aggregate) in the Champions League

Rangers claimed the unofficial title of British champions when they defeated Howard Wilkinson’s Leeds in the last game between the champions of both leagues in Europe.

Gary McAllister gave Leeds the ideal start at Ibrox inside two minutes, but a John Lukic own goal got Rangers back in the game and Ally McCoist gave them a crucial lead going in to the second leg.

Mark Hateley scored within two minutes at Elland Road and McCoist put the tie beyond doubt before Eric Cantona got a consolation late on.

October 1980 – Aberdeen 0-1 Liverpool (0-5 on aggregate) in the European Cup

Terry McDermott’s early goal at Pittodrie gave Liverpool the advantage over Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen when the sides met in the second round of the European Cup in 1980.

Bob Paisley’s side had several Scots in the starting line-up including Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Alan Hansen.

Liverpool secured a convincing 4-0 victory in the second leg to cruise through to the next stage of the tournament.