Annan Athletic player-manager Willie Gibson is embracing the challenge of taking his side to Ibrox this Friday, as the League Two outfit face Rangers in the Scottish Cup Fourth Round.
Currently sitting seventh in League Two, Annan arrive in Glasgow in solid form after a positive run of performances in December, with the borders side unbeaten in their last four league outings.
Gibson, now 41, remains a key figure both on and off the pitch, leading by example as he balances his dual role as player and manager.
“We’ve been in good running form ourselves, playing on the front foot,” Gibson said after his sides 2-2 draw with Stranraer.
“You’ve seen East Kilbride scoring an early goal against us last week and we reacted to that really well and turned it around.
“Full credit to the boys. I was disappointed we finished 2-2, more so because of the performances we’ve been putting in.”
That confidence will be tested against a Rangers side chasing silverware under Danny Röhl, but Annan’s history against the Gers provides some belief.
The clubs last met in the Scottish Cup in January 2022, when Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s Rangers won 3-0 at Galabank on the night Aaron Ramsey made his Gers debut.
More famously, Annan stunned Ally McCoist's Rangers with a 2-1 victory at Ibrox in 2013 in the Third Division – a result that remains one of the greatest moments in the club’s history and one of the most embarrassing of Rangers.
Gibson himself has his own memorable Ibrox story. In 2012, while playing for Queen of the South, he helped knock Rangers out of the Challenge Cup in dramatic fashion.
Gibson scored in a 2-2 draw at Ibrox before being sent off, with Queen of the South eventually winning 4-3 on penalties.
Now, more than a decade later, the former Scotland midfielder returns to the famous stadium as a player-manager, guiding Annan through another high-profile cup tie.
Support for the Galabank side has been strong in recent weeks, and Gibson expects a significant travelling contingent in Glasgow.
“It was a good turnout at Galabank from both sets of fans,” he said.
“Local derby, two teams playing well and on a good run of form – I expected that.
“There’s still a buzz about the Rangers game. Tickets have sold really fast and I think our allocation’s almost gone.”
With Gibson’s experience, a confident squad, and memories of past Ibrox success to draw upon, Annan will head into Friday’s clash determined to make their mark – even if Rangers remain overwhelming favourites.