ONCE in a lifetime events are, and the clue is in the name, not supposed to come around a second time, and certainly not twice in the space of four years. Try telling Lincoln Red Imps that, though.

Their win over Celtic in a Champions League qualifier – dubbed the ‘Shock of Gibraltar’ – caused more than a few trembles around Europe. A win over Rangers, one that would knock them out of the Europa League, would be off the Richter scale for the continental minnows.

That is now the dream for Lincoln. Players that are only household names within the confines of the British Overseas Territory have an opportunity – like Lee Casciaro before them – to make headlines far beyond their borders.

Steven Gerrard will take his side to Victoria Stadium with something to win but plenty to lose as Rangers look, like they did 12 months ago against St Joseph’s, to set off on a European adventure from the foot of The Rock.

The Red Imps will be written off once again but chairman Dylan Viagas doesn’t need any encouragement to believe that history can repeat itself as he targets a remarkable Old Firm double.

“For us, it is another big game and another big opportunity,” Viagas told Herald and Times Sport. “We did it once and we think we can do it again.

“Obviously this is a one-leg tie so it gives us that little bit more of a chance. We know that we will need to be at our best and have another very good day against Rangers if we are to beat them. But anything is possible and maybe this could be our time again.

“We do fancy our chances, especially on our pitch. We know that they came here last year to play and won the game. But we know that they don’t like playing on this surface after last year and we know they don’t like playing in this heat either.

“So we need to try and match up and use all of that to our advantage. We have done it once and we think we can do it again. We are looking forward to the game.”

It is just over four years ago that Casciaro became a Gibraltarian football legend and a Scottish football quiz answer. His goal, that win, remains fresh in the memory for Viagas.

Lincoln would ultimately lose to Brendan Rodgers’ side as Mikael Lustig, Leigh Griffiths and Patrick Roberts netted at Parkhead but the events of July 12 can never be taken away from them.

“Obviously it was one of the best nights in our club’s history and I remember it vividly,” Viagas said. “I was there at the UEFA draw when the pairings came out and it was the winner of us and an Estonian team would play Celtic.

“We knew that and when Celtic came out, it was like our destiny. We had the chance to play against a big Scottish team and I still remember the game very well.

“A lot of things went our way obviously but people will only remember the win. They will not remember that they maybe had 20 chances and we took the one that we had.

“That is football. People will remember the result and not anything else. It was difficult for us at Celtic Park but we knew that would be the case with 60,000 people.

“That was all new to us but I think we had a very good game. We got beat 3-0 and Patrick Roberts, who was on loan from Manchester City, played a blinder and was the difference in the game. This time it is very different, it is one game and anything can happen.”

It was on the plastic pitch, flanked by The Rock on one side and the airport runway on the other, that Rangers kicked off their campaign last term.

Ryan Jack, Sheyi Ojo, Connor Goldson and Alfredo Morelos won the tie in 27 minutes after the break ahead of the return to Ibrox. The surroundings will be the same, but the situation favours the hosts a little bit more this time around.

Viagas said: “It is a very different tie, it is just one game. It could be for 90 minutes, it could be for penalties. It is on a park that they don’t like playing on and they don’t like the heat. “We will probably play at five o’clock in the afternoon and in 30 degrees heat. It will be tough for us, but it will be tough for them as well.

“If you are in Gibraltar, the teams can change a lot from year to year. I remember watching the game with Rangers last year and it was 0-0 at half-time.

“They scored quite early on in the second half and then went on to win the game. But this is a difficult place to come and play.

“It is hot, the pitch is not what they like and if we have a good game and defend properly then we fancy our chances. It is a great game for us to have.”