FORMER Rangers star Shota Arveladze knows a thing or two about qualifying for the Champions League.

The Georgian famously scored the winner as Alex McLeish’s men got the better of FC Copenhagen 19 years ago to reach the group stage.

Fast forward to 2022 and Antonio Colak was the hero for the Ibrox club as he notched the decisive goal in Eindhoven to get Rangers into Europe's elite competition for the first time in 12 years.

Arveladze, now in charge of English Championship side Hull City, says Colak’s goal brought back fond memories of his strike in the Danish capital.

He recalled: “I remember my goal in Copenhagen, definitely. I remember everybody was happy, it was a great memory.

“I watched the game against PSV, I have to give huge credit to Gio, he’s doing a fantastic job. It started last year when he won the Scottish Cup final and took them to the Europa League final. It was an unbelievable run and this year has started so well also.

“Being involved in the Champions League is where I believe and I always feel Rangers must be.

“I’m really happy to see them being in there with top teams and top clubs.”

Despite going up against European heavyweights in Liverpool, Napoli and his former club Ajax, Arveladze believes the Ibrox side has a fighting chance.

He said: “They have that experience from coming up against Champions League teams last year.

“Dortmund is a Champions League team, RB Leipzig is a Champions League team, Eintracht Frankfurt is a Champions League team.

“Of course, there are five, six, seven clubs which are spending £400m so it’s tough and you cannot do much but the way they have got there is good to see.

“That’s what we want to see, they deserve it and that’s what makes us fans happy.”

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Arveladze rolled back the years and further endeared himself to the legions of fans who adored him during his playing days when he scored a bullet header in the 150th-anniversary match against a World Legends XI at Ibrox back in March.

The Georgian admitted he even surprised himself when he found the back of the net: “I think that was the best header I ever scored because I never expected to fly so much at this age,” he joked.

“The way the supporters reacted was absolutely unbelievable, it was absolutely amazing. I would say it was the longest I ever lost my brain after I scored a goal, it was unbelievable.

“My parents watched the match online and my son and my brother were there. They couldn’t believe it. I was like, ‘You guys don’t believe I can still score?’

“I said to them, ‘Even at 50 or if I’m going to be 85, if the cross is there I’m going to score!’

“I couldn’t stand up and run again after I scored the goal but with that last touch, I could feel the supporters again.

“It was fantastic to see everyone and have fun with each other again, that always makes it especially nice. We’re all Rangers supporters and everybody was happy to see each other and kick a ball again.”

After a stellar career as a player, Arveladze is hoping to make a similar impact from the touchline. After success in Uzbekistan, he replaced Grant McCann as Hull boss in January and helped guide the Tigers away from relegation trouble.

The target is promotion back to the Premier League but despite a decent start to their Championship campaign, Arveladze concedes it will be a tough task.

He said: “I received a very good welcome to the club when I arrived. I appreciate the support from all of the supporters which gives me a good feeling.

“We go step by step. Last year, our target was to stay in the league and we did this with four games to go and with a good gap of 14 points.

“It was a chance to build a little bit this summer. We have a new team and we’re at a stage where we’re still trying to combine players with each other which takes time.

“It’s been a good start. We just want to challenge in this league, make our supporters happy, play good football, try and dominate if we can and then see what’s going to work out.

“Of course, getting promotion is going to be very tough. The league is very difficult. We have a new team with nine new players which takes some time but the club is doing everything to make that step forward.

“It’s just game after game after game after game but we have a dream to work in the Premier League. We all know it’s not easy but we’ll work hard every day to do well.

“We feel we can make this club and the people happy and at least challenge.”