Rangers were forced to wear a one-off red Adidas kit in a 1996 Champions League clash against Grasshoppers due to a kit clash. The strip, never sold to the public, became a cult favorite despite a 3-0 defeat.
Emergency Kit Origins
In the 1996/97 season, Rangers faced Swiss champions Grasshoppers in the Champions League. Both Rangers' home blue and away white kits clashed with Grasshoppers' blue and white stripes, leaving the Ibrox side scrambling for an alternative. Adidas, the kit supplier at the time, produced a red version of the home template, identical in design but with a red base. This one-off strip was never sold to the public, though knock-offs have appeared on secondary markets.
A Night to Forget
The match ended in a 3-0 defeat for Rangers, with Andy Goram making several saves to prevent a heavier loss. The kit, now a cult item among fans, brought no luck in its sole appearance. Rangers' European struggles continued, as they failed to win an away game in Europe for four years between 1992 and 1996, facing powerhouses like Ajax, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund, as well as defeats to AEK Athens, Steaua Bucharest, and Auxerre.
Context of Rangers' European Challenges
Under Walter Smith, Rangers dominated domestically but struggled in Europe. The three-foreigner rule limited squad selection until the Bosman ruling changed football. Smith's first Champions League campaign in 1992/93 saw Rangers come close to the final, but subsequent years were tough. Despite stars like Brian Laudrup and Paul Gascoigne, the team failed to translate domestic success to the continent.
Other Kit Clashes
This was not the only time Rangers faced kit issues. The following season, after switching to Nike, a similar clash in the Champions League qualifiers against IFK Gothenburg forced another one-off strip, which also coincided with a defeat. Rangers were eliminated in the qualifying rounds.
According to the report, the red kit has gained cult status among fans, but official versions have never been sold to the public. The article notes that 'Rangers were left stumped as Grasshoppers' blue and white kits ruled out both of the Ibrox side's home and away kits for the 1996/97 season.'
