The 1996–97 campaign was one of Rangers’ finest under Walter Smith, as they clinched their ninth consecutive Scottish Premier Division title, equaling Celtic’s long-standing record. With stars like Brian Laudrup, Paul Gascoigne, Ally McCoist, and Andy Goram, Rangers dominated domestically, finishing comfortably ahead of Celtic. They also lifted the Scottish League Cup, beating Hearts 4–3 in a thrilling final. In the Scottish Cup, they suffered a shock defeat to Celtic in the fourth round. In Europe, Rangers competed in the UEFA Champions League group stage but failed to progress. The season cemented their domestic dynasty.
