Dynamo Kyiv and Partizan Belgrade profiled as Rangers memories stirred of epic European night after sneaky Souness move

There isn't much margin for error for Philippe Clement in his quest to reach the Champions League group stage.

And one of his potential qualifying opponents were left with little room to play with at Ibrox by one of the Belgian's predecessors in the Rangers hot-seat. The Light Blues face either Dynamo Kyiv or FK Partizan Belgrade in the first of two qualifying hurdles to join Europe's elite. And the former from Ukraine throws up memories of an epic night for Rangers supporters of a certain vintage. It was an evening when Ibrox rocked in what is considered one of the greatest ever atmospheres witnessed at the Govan ground.

It was 1987 when then-boss Graeme Souness welcomed one of the continent's most powerful forces to Glasgow. And following a 1-0 defeat in the first leg in Ukraine, Souness tricked his rivals by NARROWING the pitch. During their customary training session on the eve of the match, Souness spotted the amount of balls being sprayed out wide and wanted to contain the threat of the legendary Oleg Blokhin.

Ally McCoist, who scored along with Mark Falco in the famous 2-0 win at Ibrox that sealed an aggregate win, recently said of the sneaky move: "The night before the game Graeme brought the pitch in five metres either side. Made the pitch really narrow so our full-backs could get a kick at Blokhin. They were absolutely raging… I can remember (the manager’s) interview after the game, he was absolutely livid. Genius from Souness."

Neither the men from Ukraine or Partizan are the force they once were but Rangers won't get it easy, especially minus the raucous Ibrox atmosphere on a European night with Hampden their temporary home. Here, Record Sport looks at the two potential rivals.

Who are Dynamo Kyiv?

Ukrai