Glasgow Rangers have been home to some of the greatest Scottish footballers of all time.
Jim Baxter, widely regarded as the most naturally gifted player Scotland has ever produced, won ten trophies in five years at Ibrox in the 1960s with a left foot that made the game look difficult.
Davie Cooper, the winger Ruud Gullit once called the greatest he had ever faced, spent twelve remarkable years at the club and is still spoken of in tones of respect by those who watched him play.
John Greig dedicated his entire career to Rangers, making 755 appearances, and was voted the greatest Ranger of all time in 1999.
|
Rangers all-time XI |
The player |
Years at Rangers |
|---|---|---|
|
He has a goalkeeper |
Andy Goram |
1991–1998 |
|
Right back |
Sandy Jardine |
1966-1982 |
|
Center back |
Richard Gough |
1987-1997 |
|
Center back |
John Greig |
1961-1978 |
|
Left back |
Terry Butcher |
1986-1990 |
|
Midfielder |
Graeme Souness |
1986-1991 |
|
Midfielder |
Jim Baxter |
1960-1965 |
|
Midfielder |
Paul Gascoigne |
1995-1998 |
|
The right wing |
Brian Laudrup |
1994–1998 |
|
Left wing |
Davie Cooper |
1977-1989 |
|
Striker |
Ally McCoist |
1983–1998 |
Scotland has produced brilliant footballers throughout the decades, and Rangers have always been their home. Generation after generation, Ibrox has been the stage where Scotland's greatest players have showcased their talent.
But when Sir Alex Ferguson – himself a proud Scot and one of the most astute judges of football the game has ever produced – was asked to name the greatest Scottish players of all time, his list included one Rangers player.
Sir Alex Ferguson said Souness was better than Gerrard
Indeed, Sir Alex named Dave Mackay, Kenny Dalglish, Denis Law and Graeme Souness as the four greatest Scottish players of all time.
Souness spent his final years at Ibrox, winning three league titles and four Scottish League Cups as a player and manager.
His best years came at Liverpool, with its famous history of great midfielders, but Ferguson believes Souness stands alone.
“Along with Graeme Souness, (Steven Gerrard) is probably the best midfielder Liverpool have ever had, although I have Souness above them all.”
The tough midfielder didn't just win things for Rangers though, he transformed the entire club, pulling them into a new era before handing over a team that would go on to dominate Scottish football for nearly a decade.
He earned 54 caps for Scotland, captaining his country with a commanding authority wherever he went.
And Ferguson was not alone in his fascination.
Alan Hansen, who played with Souness at both Liverpool and Scotland, said: “Graeme was a king.
High praise from a man who shares a dressing room with some of the greatest players of any generation – and a decision Sir Alex clearly shares.
Lionel Messi calls out top fans between Celtic and Rangers, calling them “the best”
The Argentine icon has played at Parkhead and Ibrox.
