Europa League: FCSB’s Rangers visit reminds Aberdeen fans of pain

Steaua have won 16 league titles since their continental zenith, but they have never got close to those sort of heights since, although a first championship in almost a decade last season has helped bring some good times back.

Their European journey so far this season has been a long one already.

Beginning in the first qualifying round of the Champions League, they came through Sanmarinese minnows Virtus before seeing off Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv.

They then ran into Czech champions Sparta Prague as they dropped down to the Europa League before ejecting Austrians LASK in the play-off.

And, while they travel to Ibrox sitting a disappointing fifth in the Romanian top flight, form has been found – form that has included two wins out of two at the start of their Europa League campaign against Riga and PAOK.

Star man and Romania striker Daniel Birligea has scored in both matches in the League phase. The 24-year-old has eight goals in his 17 games this season, his 14 league goals for CFR Cluj last season persuading Steaua to pay out £1.7m this summer.

Birligea did not play but was part of the Romania squad at Euro 2024 and his goal that opened the scoring against Dinamo in the Bucharest derby at the weekend was that of an international striker.

Young prospect Alexandru Musi sealed the victory deep into added time amid wild celebrations as they made it 10 games unbeaten.

Reports in Romania suggest that Cypriot head coach Elias Charlambous has been ordered to play a weakened side against Rangers with another derby against Rapid Bucharest next up domestically.

Influential captain Darius Olaru was sent off against POAK and is therefore banned for this one, while lynchpin midfielder Adrian Sut may not travel for personal reasons.

So it is unclear just who will take to the Ibrox pitch for the visitors, with former St Mirren, Heart of Midlothian and Hamilton Academical defender Mihai Popescu also in the ranks after his summer arrival.

With the pressure firmly on Rangers manager Phillipe Clement, it is clear the same importance is not being placed on the shoulders of his opposite number on Thursday evening as FCSB attempt to live up to the heroes of the past.