ALLY MCCOIST started 'The Journey' with Rangers in the Third Division. Now Steven Gerrard has the chance to finish it in the Champions League.

There was a feeling of fate, an element of the achievement being written in the stars, when Rangers clinched the Premiership title in March. On the sixth anniversary of regime change, it was the ultimate reason to celebrate as 55 was won.

In Sweden this evening, there will be another unique quirk of circumstances. A decade after their last Champions League fixture, Rangers face Malmo once again bidding to move within one tie of the group stages.

The story of the intervening years is one of agony to ecstasy. Nobody knows that more than McCoist as Rangers - with their reputation on the continent restored - attempt to join Europe's elite once again.

“It would mean everything [to get back to the group stages]," McCoist said. "To see the club back in the group stages of the Champions League, well that would be it for me.

“We are 99 per cent back. All Rangers fans were greetin’ last year when we won the title.

“Let’s not kid ourselves, we were all in tears. It was an amazing experience, I had a wee chat with Walter and it meant so much to us all.

“But get us back into the Champions League and the good times will definitely be back.

“Of that there is no doubt and for me that would complete the journey.

“I would be so pleased and proud to see the club back in the Champions League.”

The moments that 55 was won and then celebrated will go down as the most significant and emotional of Gerrard's tenure, no matter what else he goes on to achieve at Ibrox.

His accomplishments in the Europa League are more than noteworthy, however. The ghost of Progres was banished at the first attempt and the progress since has been remarkable.

Three group stage appearances and two runs to the last 16 have laid the foundations for a crack at the group stages and Olympiakos or Ludogorets will lie in wait should Malmo be overcome.

“I have been so impressed with Rangers in Europe under Steven," McCoist said.

“It has been the foundation on which a lot of last season’s success was built.

“To make the group stages of the Europa League in each of his three seasons is remarkable.

“It’s remarkable progress given what had happened to the club in Europe just prior to him taking charge.

“The team is well prepared again. Last year in Europe, if you take away the Slavia Prague game, Rangers were so impressive.

“Overall they have to be delighted with their performances. It was a step up from the season before.

“I covered most of the games and I was well impressed. I was impressed with their quality on the ball and their work rate out of possession.

“They looked very comfortable at the level and now it’s time to kick on again.”

Rangers return to European action having got the defence of their Premiership title off to a winning start as Livingston were beaten 3-0 at Ibrox on Saturday.

Gerrard does not have his selection problems to seek, though. The situation regarding Alfredo Morelos, who was forced to quarantine following his return from the Copa America last month, is perhaps the most pressing issue at present.

“That is a concern," McCoist said when asked about Morelos. "And maybe that lack of killer instinct would be Steven’s only real concern at the moment.

“I would take Rangers scoring over there and getting a draw, I’ll tell you that right now.

“I was pleased Kemar Roofe came on at the weekend and got his goal and there’s no doubt Scott Wright’s brilliant strike will have helped his confidence too.

“Fashion Sakala looked sharp and he certainly has a lot of pace. But he might take a bit of time to settle and that’s perfectly understandable and acceptable.

“I can’t lie to you, I’d much rather be going into the game with a fully fit and firing Morelos. But it is what it is and there’s no doubt Rangers have the strength and depth to cope.

“Kent offers you something different. He offers something different compared with anyone else in the country. He can create goals and I think we will score over there.”

In 2011, McCoist's side would manage to get a goal on the road but the strike from Nikica Jelavic - which levelled the tie after a first leg defeat at Ibrox - proved in vain for Rangers. Red cards for Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra sealed their fate.

A defeat for the class of 2021 would not be as damaging for Rangers but the ambition is clear as Gerrard attempts to tick another box on his impressive track record.

McCoist said: “They were a very good side, probably not given the credit they were due at the time.

“But both games were hugely frustrating and ultimately disappointing from my point of view.

“We lost Davie Weir very early in the first leg to a hamstring injury. We had to change system and shape.

“They obviously got their away goal but we scored first in Sweden.

“We then got two red cards which ultimately took the tie away from us. Whitts went first with a straight red and ill discipline cost us.

“It was a wake up call. We certainly hadn’t underestimated them, we would never do that.

“But their season was up and running and the difference in fitness levels was there for all to see. Like I say, they were a very capable side back then.

“But Scottish teams always have this issue coming up against teams whose season is already well underway.

“It was never more evident on that occasion as far as I’m concerned. You could tell the team that had started its season.”