Rangers played key role as architects of Champions League and their legacy remains enshrined in revamp

It may be more than four decades since a Scottish club last lifted European silverware, but Rangers' role in shaping the Champions League leaves a lasting impression.

Europe's premier club competition was radically overhauled for this season, with the previous 32 club eight group tournament axed in favour of a new 36 team single league format - where clubs are guaranteed at least eight games, rather than the previous six. However it was former Rangers secretary Campbell Ogilvie who first mooted the idea of a league system, as he looked for ways for the Ibrox club to maximise the number of European games they played after a barren few seasons in the knock-out format of the European Cup.

Initially the former Scottish Football League secretary saw his plans thrown out by UEFA top brass - twice. Before they eventually endorsed his push for a group stage format, leading to the formation of the tournament that would go on to become the most sought-after - and richest - in club football. Figures have shown that more than 400 million people watch the Champions League Final worldwide and the current TV deal is worth more than £1.5bn.

After pressure from the Glasgow club - and others - a group phase was introduced for the 1991/92 European Cup with the eight qualifiers splitting into two sections of four. Rangers didn’t make it as they were knocked out in the first qualifying round on away goals to Sparta Prague, whilst English champions Arsenal went out to Benfica in extra time in the second qualifying round.

But that was still the tournament named the European Cup, with the watershed moment arriving in 1992 - as the Champions League was born - with centralised TV and sponsorship deals agreed and a team of marketing experts