“I love this club, but it’s a fact” – Rangers legend on club’s fall from grace

Former Rangers striker Shota Arveladze remains a much-loved figure at Ibrox, years after his successful spell with the club between 2001 and 2005.

During his time in Glasgow, the Georgian forward made 125 appearances and scored 52 goals across all competitions. He also helped Rangers win two Scottish Premiership titles and two Scottish Cups, cementing his place in the club’s history.

Speaking to TeleRadioStereo ahead of Rangers’ Europa League showdown with AS Roma, Arveladze expressed his enduring affection for the club.

“Glasgow Rangers are a massive club, but unfortunately, they’ve faced many problems over the past 15 years. From relegation to climbing back up through the leagues — it’s been a tough journey. I love this club deeply and have so many wonderful memories, but that’s the reality,” he said.

Reflecting on Rangers’ situation compared to other historic sides, Arveladze added:

“It’s a strange time for many great clubs with rich histories — just look at what’s happening at Manchester United. Rangers aren’t alone in that sense. But unlike many others, they have truly incredible fans. Ibrox always has a magical atmosphere — anything can happen there.”

Rangers’ opportunity against Roma

Looking ahead to the upcoming clash, Arveladze believes Rangers have a real chance against the Italian giants.

“It’s still a European night, and on occasions like this, the usual struggles can vanish. Ibrox is a magnificent stadium — it gives you energy and pushes you to perform, even against very strong opponents. Roma will be without Dybala, which makes it a very open match.”

Rangers have endured a difficult Europa League campaign so far, still searching for their first win in the group. Roma, meanwhile, head to Glasgow with several injury concerns — Paulo Dybala, Angelino, and Evan Ferguson are all ruled out.

That could give Danny Rohl’s side a vital opening. As Arveladze noted, Ibrox nights are never easy for visiting teams, and with Roma struggling for goals, Rangers will view this as the perfect chance to revive their European campaign and regain momentum this season.