It was Marvin Andrews who famously coined his “keep believing” mantra as against all odds Rangers snatched title joy on Helicopter Sunday.
But Nikica Jelavic reckons that motivating motto could just as easily have been applied to his side’s championship push six years later as the Ibrox outfit ensured Walter Smith signed off in style.
And the former Light Blues hero thinks that keeping the faith should also be the guiding principal for Gio van Bronckhorst’s current crop as they look to pip Celtic down the final straight of this season’s sprint to the finish line.
The 2010/11 season was legendary gaffer Smith’s final campaign in charge after two trophy-ladden stints in the Gers hot seat.
But for a large chunk of the campaign, his side were left playing catch-up as Celtic led the way while Rangers had games in hand.
It looked like hope was fading away when the Hoops produced a crushing display in a 3-0 Parkhead pasting in that year’s third derby duel but when Celtic slipped up a week later at Motherwell, Gers were given a second chance.
They needed a third at Ibrox in the final Old Firm encounter of the season as Allan McGregor kept out a Georgios Samaras penalty and kept Rangers in the championship chase.
But when Neil Lennon’s men crashed and burned in Inverness, it opened the door for the Ibrox men to scorch away to a memorable league victory, sealed amid jubilant scenes on the final day at Rugby Park.
Jelavic just hopes today’s team have learned a lesson from the class of 2011 as they prepare for this weekend’s crucial showdown with Ange Postecoglou’s table-toppers.
The retired Croatia ace told Record Sport: “All I can say to the players this week is just play your best because this game means so much to the supporters and the club, especially this season.
“The team is behind in the league so we have to win but I’m sure Gio’s players are aware of this and will be on fire.
“Listen, the bad games can happen. We lost 3-0 at Parkhead in 2011 but we still managed to win the league.
“On Sunday, it’s a really important game but it’s not like Rangers have to win.
“There are still another six games to play so what’s most important is not to lose.
“If you lose, the gap will grow and it will be tough for Rangers to catch Celtic.
“A win would be great but a draw means you’re still in it.
“I remember my title. Celtic was also in front of us for a long time.
“We got a draw against them in the final Old Firm game at Ibrox to stay just in front but they still had a game in hand. Then they went to Inverness and lost and we were able to take the title away from them.
“We managed to win all the games from there to the end of the season, so that just shows that everything is possible. The players just have to believe.
“And they must make sure they stay in the race until the last match.”
Jelavic added the final flourish to Smith’s sparkling tenure with his sweet set-piece as Gers hit Kilmarnock for five.
But it may have been an altogether more painful ending had McGregor not proved himself Rangers’ spot-kick saviour as he palmed away Samaras’ Ibrox effort.
Eleven years have now passed since that memorable moment but Jelvaic can’t believe his old pal - now 40 - is still leaping about making stops just as crucial for van Bronckhorst’s modern-day side.
The former Rapid Vienna, Everton and Hull striker said: “He’s unbelievable, honestly.
“I was really surprised to see him playing - but not only playing but performing at a good level, making big saves in Europe.
“He’s a true Rangers legend. He’s one of the best I’ve played with. We were also together at Hull in the Premier League so I actually played with Greegsy at two clubs.
“I was lucky to play with many good keepers like Stipe Pletikosa with Croatia national team and Tim Howard at Everton but McGregor is definitely one of the best.
“I saw his performance against Red Star in Belgrade. He kept Rangers’ Europa League season alive that night. Hopefully he can do the same for their League plans on Sunday.”
Jelavic was back in Glasgow last weekend to take part in the legends game marking the club’s 150th anniversary.
It was a date he feared might not come around. Jelavic was sold to Everton in January 2012, just two weeks before Craig Whyte’s disastrous reign saw the club plunged into administration.
But he’s now convinced Gers are back to their former standing at home and abroad after seeing the pull the club was able to put on as it attracted a host of big name stars to mark its latest birthday.
He said: “It was an amazing experience, honestly. I travelled over with Sasa Papac and took my whole family over. We had a great couple of days back in Glasgow.
“The game was great and the organisation was amazing. It was just so good to be back at Ibrox.
“Since I left the club, I’d only been back to the city once and that was for Walter Smith’s memorial service.
“But this was the first time I’d been back at the stadium since I moved to Everton.
“The whole day was perfect - even the weather was nice!
“I got to see some old friends and to see some guys I hadn’t met before.
“Meeting Paul Gascogine was great. He’s a legend and it was great to see the reception he got, especially when he scored!
“Not many clubs can put one this kind of exhibition game and get almost a full stadium. It’s unbelievable and that’s down to the amazing Rangers supporters.
“That tells you just how big a club Rangers is. You saw how many legends were there, all these guys who have done so much in football like Kaka and Figo.
“When I left the club, it was going through its financial problems.
“It was a sad situation at the time but I’m just so glad Rangers are back.
“I think a lot of thanks has to go to all these players who made sure the club came back up from the fourth division and the supporters who made sure the stadium was full every game.
“When Steven Gerrard arrived, the club came back. With him, the players made sure that once again Rangers is viewed as one of Europe’s top clubs.”
