Premier League manager picks out two Rangers heroes for star-studded all-time XI
Today at 03:30 PM
Liverpool manager Arne Slot might not be selecting any current Rangers players for his all-time Champions League XI.
After all, whilst Rangers were part of the original eight members of the 1992 reincarnation of the competition, it's a trophy which has always proven elusive for the Ibrox side.
But that doesn't mean several who've left their mark on the competition haven't walked through the gates in Glasgow with the Gers having a storied history of former winners having made an impact at Ibrox.
Now Liverpool manager Arne Slot has selected two former Rangers heroes in his all-time Champions League XI.
Ajax hero whose brother stole Rangers hearts
Whilst twin brother Ronald is more associated with his time at Rangers, Frank de Boer did have a spell in Glasgow back in 2004.
Spending six months at Ibrox, De Boer made 17 appearances for the club and scored two goals, including a near-post header to rescue a point against Aberdeen.
Remembered predominantly for being a glamour signing for the club, Frank de Boer's contribution to Rangers is dwarfed by the defender's brother Ronald.
Whereas Frank spent six months in Glasgow, Ronald de Boer spent four years.
But before his time in Glasgow, Frank de Boer carved out a successful career at the highest level playing with Ajax, Barcelona and the Dutch national team.
The 112-times capped defender is one of the most decorated Dutch players of his generation and lifted the UEFA Champions League with Ajax in 1995.
Also lifting the UEFA Cup with the Dutch giants in 1992, De Boer won the European Super Cup with Ajax in 1995 and played at two World Cups and three European Championships.
Dutch coach Arne Slot – who was speaking as part of an Amazon Prime Sports Champions League special on YouTube – slotted Frank de Boer in at left-back.
"In this position I'm going to go for Frank de Boer who won it at Ajax," said Slot.
"I think one of those players should be in the team that I select.
"Frank de Boer was really special back then at Ajax."
A legend in Liverpool, a God in Glasgow
The other Rangers-linked star on Arne Slot's all-time Champions League XI never played for the Ibrox side, but he had a bigger impact than Frank de Boer ever did.
Legendary former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard took charge of Rangers as manager in 2018 and left an indelible mark on the club over three-and-a-bit seasons in Glasgow.
Going unbeaten to win the Scottish Premiership title in 2021, Gerrard reinstated Rangers on the European stage and made a huge impact on the club's training and stadium facilities.
Widely credited with returning Rangers to the standards of old, Gerrard's exit to Aston Villa stung the Ibrox support but the role of the club's hierarchy in this is now subject to much discussion.
Being Liverpool manager, it would be sacrilegious for Arne Slot to pick anyone else with Steven Gerrard inspiring the Miracle of Istanbul in 2005.
With Liverpool 3-0 down to AC Milan at half-time in the Champions League Final, Gerrard inspired a stunning comeback with the Reds eventually lifting the trophy on penalties after a 3-3 draw.
"If you would've asked me this a year ago I would've probably said Andres Iniesta," Slot said.
"But I think now I'm going to go for Steven Gerrard, being the Liverpool manager.
"Why he might deserve to be in my team is that the other ones, like Iniesta like Zinedine Zidane they played with incredible team-mates.
"Of course Steven Gerrard played with good to really-good teammates but I don't think he played with the same level of players where Iniesta or Zidane played with.
"And then being so special for the club. Winning, lifting the trophy once, playing so long for this club. He meant so much for it."
Arne Slot's all-time Champions League XI
GK – Alisson (Liverpool)
DL – Frank de Boer (Ajax)
DR – Trent Alexander Arnold (Liverpool)
DC – Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
DC – Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
CDM – Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
CM – Luka Modric (Real Madrid)
CM – Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
RW – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
ST – Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
LW – Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid)
