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Rangers XI when GTA V was released will make supporters feel their age

The 2013 Rangers side featured several familiar names as Ally McCoist's team continued their journey back through the Scottish football pyramid.
GTA IV, Cyberleek And Netflix Photo Illustrations
GTA IV, Cyberleek And Netflix Photo Illustrations | NurPhoto/GettyImages

With GTA VI finally edging closer to release, it is difficult to comprehend just how much time has passed since Rockstar Games launched GTA V.

The fifth instalment in the hugely popular Grand Theft Auto series was released in September 2013.

At the time, Rangers were amid their ‘journey’ back through the Scottish football pyramid, with Ally McCoist's side competing in League One after financial disaster and subsequent demotion in 2012.

And one Rangers XI from that era provides a fascinating snapshot of just how different life at Ibrox was more than a decade ago.

When Rangers travelled to face Queen of the South in the Ramsdens Cup in September 2013, McCoist named a starting XI containing several players who are now firmly part of the club's history.

17/09/13 RAMSDENS CUP QUARTER-FINAL.QUEEN OF THE SOUTH v RANGERS.PALMERSTON PARK - DUMFRIES.Rangers defender Bilel Mohsni (right) tussles with Michael Paton
17/09/13 RAMSDENS CUP QUARTER-FINAL.QUEEN OF THE SOUTH v RANGERS.PALMERSTON PARK - DUMFRIES.Rangers | Alan Harvey - SNS Group/GettyImages

Rangers XI when GTA 5 was released

Cammy Bell

Ricky Foster, Bilel Mohsni, Lee McCulloch, Lee Wallace

Arnold Peralta, Robbie Crawford, Nicky Law, Stevie Smith

Jon Daly and Andy Little

Subs: Seb Faure, Nicky Clark, David Templeton, Steve Simonsen, Barrie McKay.

It was a very different Rangers from the one supporters see today.

McCulloch captained the side from the back, while Wallace operated at left-back and Daly led the line alongside Little.

There were also some less familiar names to modern Rangers supporters, including the late Honduran midfielder Arnold Peralta and controversial defender Bilel Mohsni.

17/09/13 RAMSDENS CUP QUARTER-FINAL.QUEEN OF THE SOUTH v RANGERS (0-3).PALMERSTON PARK - DUMFRIES.Steven Smith in action for Rangers.
17/09/13 RAMSDENS CUP QUARTER-FINAL.QUEEN OF THE SOUTH v RANGERS (0-3).PALMERSTON PARK - | Alan Harvey - SNS Group/GettyImages

Rangers progressed at Palmerston

The match itself ended in a comfortable 3-0 victory for Rangers, who ended Queen of the South's defence of the trophy and progressed to the semi-finals.

The hosts had started brightly, with Michael Paton threatening early on before Rangers took the lead from a set piece.

Peralta delivered a corner which was headed back across goal by McCulloch, allowing Mohsni to volley home from close range.

Daly then doubled Rangers' advantage after Queen of the South defender Chris Higgins was sent off for a second booking.

Nicky Law's free-kick was met by Daly, who headed beyond Calum Antell.

McCulloch completed the scoring shortly afterwards, nodding home from another set piece to register his seventh goal in three games.

17/09/13 RAMSDENS CUP QUARTER-FINAL.QUEEN OF THE SOUTH v RANGERS.PALMERSTON PARK - DUMFRIES.Rangers midfielder Nicky Law (left) is challenged by Gavin Reilly
17/09/13 RAMSDENS CUP QUARTER-FINAL.QUEEN OF THE SOUTH v RANGERS.PALMERSTON PARK - DUMFRIES.Rangers | Alan Harvey - SNS Group/GettyImages

A snapshot from another Rangers era

GTA 5 was released while Rangers were playing in the third tier of Scottish football. The club had just begun rebuilding after one of the most turbulent periods in its history.

Now, as the release of GTA 6 approaches, looking back at that starting XI is a reminder of the sheer passage of time.

Most players have retired. Others have moved into coaching or new careers. And the young substitute sitting on the bench that night, Barrie McKay, is now an experienced professional.

GTA 5 was new. Rangers were in League One. And that entire starting XI now belongs to another era of Ibrox history.

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