Rangers F.C.

For other uses, see Rangers F.C. (disambiguation).

Rangers
Rangers Football Club Logo
Full name Rangers Football Club
Nickname(s) The Gers;
The Teddy Bears;
The Light Blues;
Founded March 1872 (1872-03)
Ground Ibrox Stadium,
Glasgow, Scotland
Ground Capacity 50,947
Owner The Rangers Football Club Ltd[1]
Chairman Dave King
Manager Mark Warburton
League Scottish Championship
2015–16 Scottish Championship, 1st
Website Club home page

Rangers Football Club are a football club in Glasgow, Scotland, which plays in the Scottish Championship, the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League. Their home ground, Ibrox Stadium, is in the south-west of the city.

Rangers have won more league titles and trebles than any other club in the world, winning the league title 54 times, the Scottish Cup 33 times and the Scottish League Cup 27 times, and achieving the treble of all three in the same season seven times. Rangers were the first British club to reach a UEFA tournament final and won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 after being runner-up twice in 1961 and 1967. A third runners-up finish in Europe came in the UEFA Cup in 2008. Rangers have a long-standing rivalry with Celtic, the two Glasgow clubs being collectively known as the Old Firm.

Founded in 1872, Rangers are one of the eleven original members of the Scottish Football League[2] and remained in the top division continuously until the liquidation of The Rangers Football Club PLC at the end of the 2011–12 season. With a new corporate identity, the club gained admittance to the fourth tier of the Scottish game in time for the start of the following season, and were promoted three times in four years to return to the top flight.

History

Formation, early years and William Wilton

The 1877 Scottish Cup Final Rangers team
The 1877 Scottish Cup Final Rangers team

The four founders of Rangers – brothers Moses and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath – met in March 1872 at West End Park, (now known as Kelvingrove Park). Rangers' first match, in May that year, was a goalless friendly draw with Callander on Glasgow Green. David Hill was also a founder member.[3] In 1873, the club held its first annual meeting and staff were elected.[4][5] By 1876 Rangers had its first international player, with Moses McNeil representing Scotland in a match against Wales.[6] In 1877 Rangers reached a Scottish Cup final; after drawing the first game, Rangers refused to turn up for the replay and the cup was awarded to Vale of Leven. Rangers won the Glasgow Merchants' Charity Cup the following year against Vale of Leven 2–1, their first major cup.[7] The first-ever Old Firm match took place in 1888, the year of Celtic's establishment. Rangers lost 5–2 in a friendly to a team composed largely of guest players from Hibernian.[8][9][10]

Chart of Rangers yearly table positions in League play.

The 1890–91 season saw the inception of the Scottish Football League, and Rangers, by then playing at the first Ibrox Stadium, were one of ten original members. The club's first-ever league match, on 16 August 1890, resulted in a 5–2 victory over Heart of Midlothian. After finishing joint-top with Dumbarton, a play-off held at Cathkin Park finished 2–2 and the title was shared for the only time in its history. Rangers' first-ever Scottish Cup win came in 1894 after a 3–1 final victory over rivals Celtic. By the start of the 20th century, Rangers had won two league titles and three Scottish Cups.[5][7][11][12] During William Wilton's time as match secretary and then team manager, Rangers won 10 leagues titles.

Bill Struth and Scot Symon

Taking over as manager from William Wilton in 1920, Bill Struth was Rangers' most successful manager, guiding the club to 14 league titles before the onset of the Second World War. On 2 January 1939 a British league attendance record was broken as 118,567 fans turned out to watch Rangers beat Celtic in the traditional New Year's Day Old Firm match.[13] Leading the club for 34 years until 1954, Struth won more trophies than any manager in Scottish Football history, amassing 18 league championships, 10 Scottish Cups, 2 League Cups, 7 war-time championships, 19 Glasgow Cups, 17 Glasgow Merchant Charity Cups and other war-time honours.[4][14] During the wartime regional league setup, Rangers achieved their highest score against old firm rivals Celtic with an 8–1 win in the Southern Football League.[15]

Scot Symon continued Struth's success, winning six league championships, five Scottish Cups and four League Cups, becoming the second manager to win the domestic treble in 1963–64 season, the era of 'Slim' Jim Baxter, one of the club's greatest players.[16][17] Rangers also lost by their biggest Old Firm margin of 7–1.[15]

Rangers reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1960, losing to German club Eintracht Frankfurt by a record aggregate 12–4 for a Scottish team.[18] In 1961 Rangers became the first British team to reach a European final when they contested the Cup Winners' Cup final against Italian side Fiorentina, only to lose 4–1 on aggregate.[19] Rangers lost again in the final of the same competition in 1967, by a single goal after extra time to Bayern Munich.[12]

Ibrox disaster, European success and Jock Wallace

The Ibrox Disaster memorial statue, commemorating the 1971 tragedy
The Ibrox Disaster memorial statue, commemorating the 1971 tragedy along with previous disasters

The Ibrox disaster occurred on 2 January 1971 when large-scale crushing on a stairway exit at the culmination of the New Year's Day Old Firm game claimed 66 lives. An enquiry concluded that the crush was likely to have happened ten minutes after the final whistle and to have been triggered by someone falling on the stairs.[20] A benefit match to raise funds for the victims' families took place after the disaster, a joint Rangers and Celtic team playing a Scotland XI at Hampden, watched by 81,405 fans.[21]

In 1972, Rangers emerged from the tragedy of the previous year to finally achieve success on the European stage. A Colin Stein goal and a Willie Johnston double helped secure a 3–2 victory over FC Dynamo Moscow at the Nou Camp, Barcelona, to lift the European Cup Winners' Cup. Captain John Greig received the trophy in a small room within the Nou Camp following pitch invasions by Rangers fans reacting to the heavy handed tactics of the Spanish police, the majority of whom had been brought in from outwith Catalonia. The following season Rangers were invited by Barcelona FC to take part in their pre season tournament at the Camp Nou.[22] Rangers were banned from Europe for two years for the behaviour of their fans, later reduced on appeal to a year.[23]

Emerging from the shadows of Jock Stein's Celtic side, Rangers regained ascendancy with notable domestic success under the stewardship of manager Jock Wallace. In his first season in charge – the club's centenary – Rangers won the Scottish Cup at Hampden in front of 122,714 supporters.[24] In 1974–75, Wallace led Rangers to their first League championship triumph in eleven years, before winning the treble the following season, repeating the historic feat in 1977–78.[25]

John Greig and Jock Wallace returns

John Greig served as manager for 5 years but was unable to achieve the success as a manager that he had as a player. Unable to win the league during his reign, he was replaced by Jock Wallace returning in 1983. Unfortunately Jock Wallace was unable to repeat the success of his first period in charge with a win ratio of less than 50%. He was himself replaced by Graeme Souness in 1986.

Graeme Souness and Walter Smith – 9 in a row

Every year from the 1988–89 season until the 1996–97 season, Rangers won the league title. This nine-in-a-row achievement equalled Celtic's record, set prior to the forming of the Scottish Football League Premier Division, subsequent to which competing teams met four times a season. The first three of these seasons the club was managed by Graeme Souness; the latter six under the stewardship of Walter Smith.[26][27]

Notable seasons included 1990–91, which culminated in a final-day finale, Rangers securing a 2–0 victory at Ibrox over Aberdeen, who needed only a draw to secure the championship. Season 1992–93 was notable for a domestic treble of trophies, as well an extended run in the inaugural UEFA Champions League, the club at one stage only one goal from securing a place in the final.[28]

Rangers' ninth consecutive championship title was secured at Tannadice Park on 7 May 1997, with a single-goal victory over Dundee United.[29]

Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish

In 1998, Dutchman Dick Advocaat became the club's first foreign manager.[30] Nine-in-a-row era stalwarts having moved on, Advocaat invested heavily in the team with immediate results, leading the club to their sixth domestic treble. The league championship was won with a 3–0 victory at Celtic Park on 2 May 1999.[31] A second-consecutive league title was won by a record 21-point margin,[32] the club securing a domestic double with a 4–0 Scottish Cup final victory over Aberdeen. Rangers' campaign in the Champions League saw them defeat UEFA Cup winners Parma en route.[33][34]

Advocaat's third season saw Rangers fail to compete domestically against Celtic under new manager Martin O'Neill. Despite investment in the team, including Tore Andre Flo for a club-record £12 million,[35] European success beyond the Champions League group stages again proved elusive.[36] After a slow start to the following season, Advocaat resigned from his post in December 2001 and was replaced by Alex McLeish.[37]

In his first full campaign, the 2002–03 season saw McLeish become the sixth Rangers manager to deliver a domestic treble.[38] The championship was won on goal difference during a dramatic final day 6–1 triumph over Dunfermline Athletic at Ibrox,[39] securing Rangers' 50th league title, the first club in the world to achieve the feat.[40] Major expenditure sanctioned by chairman David Murray had burdened Rangers with considerable debts in the region of £52m.[41] The club's worsening financial state saw many of the team's top players leave in the summer of 2003, the following season failing to deliver any trophies, only the second such occasion since 1985–86.[42]

The 2004–05 season restored success to Rangers, who were boosted by signings such as Jean-Alain Boumsong,[43] Dado Pršo[44] and Nacho Novo,[45] along with the return of former captain Barry Ferguson after a spell in England with Blackburn Rovers.[46] The club's league championship triumph culminated in a dramatic final-day finish. The destination of the trophy changed unexpectedly, with Celtic conceding late goals to Motherwell at Fir Park whilst Rangers led against Hibernian, requiring the helicopter carrying the SPL trophy to change direction and deliver the prize to the Easter Road ground in Leith.[47][48]

Despite beginning as favourites to retain the championship, Rangers suffered an unprecedented run of poor results between September and November, a club-record run of ten games without a win. Included within this period, a 1–1 draw with Inter Milan took Rangers into the last 16 of the Champions League, the first Scottish team to achieve the feat since 1993,[49] the club eventually exiting on the away goals rule to Villarreal.[50] On 9 February 2006, it was announced by David Murray that McLeish would be standing down as manager at the end of that season.[51]

Paul Le Guen and Walter Smith's return

Rangers F.C. showing French card display at Ibrox to welcome Paul Le Guen
Card display at Ibrox to welcome Paul Le Guen

Frenchman Paul Le Guen replaced Alex McLeish as manager after season 2005–06.[52] The season started with an early exit from the League Cup[53] whilst Celtic built a commanding lead at the top of the table.[54] In the UEFA Cup, Rangers became the first Scottish side to qualify for the last 32 of the competition, since the introduction of the group phase, after finishing their group unbeaten.[55] However, amid claims of disharmony between the manager and captain Barry Ferguson,[56] it was announced on 4 January 2007 that Le Guen had left Rangers by mutual consent.[57] On 10 January 2007, former boss Walter Smith resigned from his post as Scotland manager to return to the Ibrox helm, with Ally McCoist as assistant manager.[58]

The 2008 UEFA Cup Final in Manchester which Rangers contested
The 2008 UEFA Cup Final in Manchester which Rangers contested.

The following season Rangers contested the UEFA Cup after dropping into the competition from the Champions League.[59] The club reached the final, defeating Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina along the way.[60] The final in Manchester against Zenit St. Petersburg, who were managed by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat,[61] ended in a 2–0 defeat.[62]

The 2008–09 season saw Rangers recover from an early exit from the UEFA Champions League to FBK Kaunas of Lithuania.[63] The club secured its 52nd league championship on the last day of the season with a 3–0 victory at Dundee United.[64] Rangers also successfully defended the Scottish Cup, a 33rd competition triumph, defeating Falkirk 1–0 in the final.[65]

The 2009–10 season saw Rangers reach their fifth consecutive domestic final: against St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup, the club overcame a two-men deficit from red cards, a late deciding goal from Kenny Miller securing a record 27th victory in the competition.[66] The league championship title was retained, with three matches remaining, at Easter Road, defeating Hibernian 1–0 with a Kyle Lafferty goal. The 2010–11 season, Smith's final season in charge, saw Rangers retain the League Cup, defeating Celtic at Hampden with a Nikica Jelavić goal in extra time.[67] A third consecutive title was won by beating Kilmarnock 5–1 on the last day of the season, Smith's final match in charge of the club.[68]

Ally McCoist, insolvency and the lower leagues

Ally McCoist took over from Walter Smith in June 2011 but season 2011–12 started with Rangers eliminated from two European competitions before the end of August: losing to Swedish side Malmö FF in the Champions League third round qualifying match,[69] and to Slovenian side Maribor in a Europa League qualifying match.[70] While good league form saw Rangers in top spot after being unbeaten for the first 15 games, they were knocked out of the League Cup by Falkirk[71] and the Scottish Cup by Dundee Utd at Ibrox.[72] Rangers was placed into administration on 14 February 2012 resulting in the club being deducted 10 points as per SPL rules.[73] Though Rangers avoided having Celtic win the championship at Ibrox on 25 March by winning the game 3–2, Rangers ultimately finished 20 points behind Celtic in second place.[74] A failure to reach agreement with creditors on 14 June 2012 led to The Rangers Football Club Plc (since renamed RFC 2012 Plc)[75] entering the process of liquidation.[76]

After the CVA proposal was rejected, the Administrators completed a going concern sale of the business and assets to a new company Sevco Scotland Ltd, later renamed The Rangers Football Club Ltd.[77][78] When the new company failed to secure the club's previous place in the Scottish Premier League,[79] Rangers were accepted into the Scottish Football League and placed in the lowest division, the Third, rather than the First Division as the SPL and SFA had sought.[80] The transfer of Rangers' SFA membership was agreed by the SFA upon acceptance of a number of conditions, including a one-year transfer ban, in time for the club to begin the 2012–13 season.[81]

With most key first team players having refused to transfer to the new company, a very different Rangers team lined up for the first league match in Third Division. Despite this, Rangers secured a comfortable 5–1 victory over East Stirlingshire in front of a crowd of 49,118, a world record for a football match in a fourth tier league.[82][n 1] Away from home, Rangers started their league campaign with three successive draws before losing 1–0 to Stirling Albion, at the time the bottom club.[84] Rangers were defeated in the third round of the Scottish Challenge Cup by Queen of the South at Ibrox,[85] in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle[86] and in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup by Dundee United.[87] Rangers beat their own new record against Queens Park with an attendance of 49,463[88] and again against Stirling Albion with an attendance of 49,913.[89] Rangers clinched the Third Division title on 30 March after a goalless draw at Montrose.

Apart from being defeated 2–1 by Forfar Athletic in the first round of the League Cup on 3 August, season 2013–14 got off to an excellent start with Rangers winning maximum league points in their first 15 games in League One, before being held to a draw at home by Stranraer on Boxing Day 2013. Rangers secured the League One title and promotion to Scottish football's second tier on 12 March 2014 and went on to end the season unbeaten in league football.[90] Rangers also reached the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup, in which they lost to Raith Rovers[91] and the semi-final of the Scottish Cup, in which they lost 3–1 at Ibrox to Dundee United.

Playing in the Scottish Championship in season 2014–15 provided Rangers with a more difficult challenge, with the club losing home and away to both Hibernian[92][93] and Hearts[94][95] and also losing away to Queen of the South[96] in the first half of the season. Rangers also failed to beat Alloa either home or away in the league before losing 3–2 to Alloa in the semi-final of the Scottish Challenge Cup.[97] Amid mounting criticism,[98] McCoist submitted his resignation intending to honour his 12 months notice period but was placed on 'gardening leave' and replaced by Kenny McDowall on a caretaker basis.[99] McDowall remained in charge for just three months before resigning in March 2015. During his time in charge, Rangers won just three matches. Rangers then named as manager former player Stuart McCall, their third manager of the season, for what remained of the season.[100] Under McCall, Rangers finished third in the league and then reached the Premiership play-off final, which they lost 6–1 on aggregate to Motherwell.[101]

Mark Warburton

In June 2015 it was announced that Mark Warburton had been appointed manager on a three-year deal.[102] Rangers went on to win the 2015–16 Scottish Championship and promotion to the Scottish Premiership, ending their four-year stint in the lower divisions. The club also reached the 2016 Scottish Cup Final, beating Old Firm rivals Celtic in the semi-final at Hampden.[103]

Crest and colours

Crest

Unusually for a football club, Rangers have two different official crests. Today the original scroll crest appears on the club's strips whereas the lion rampant club crest is used by the media, on club merchandise and on official club documents. Both crests have undergone minor variations since their introduction. It is believed that the scroll crest, representing the letters RFC overlapping, has been used since the club's formation in 1872, although the oldest remaining piece of memorabilia containing this crest is from the 1881–82 season. The scroll crest was replaced in 1959 with the lion rampant club crest which featured a lion rampant, an old-style football and the club's motto Ready, which was shortened from Aye Ready (meaning Always Ready in Scots), all surrounded by the team name, Rangers Football Club. The lion rampant club crest was modernised in 1968; the lion rampant, team name, club motto and old style football all remained. It was again updated ever so slightly in the early 1990s to the current version. The modern circular crest is regularly used on club merchandise and by the media; it has never featured prominently on the club strip. Since 1968 Rangers have had two crests, the scroll crest made a return appearing on the chest of the club shirt for the first time while the modernised club crest was still the club's official logo. The scroll crest first appeared on the teams shorts for the start of the 1978–79 season.[104][105]

The way the scroll crest has appeared on the club shirt has varied slightly through the years. Between 1990 and 1994 'Rangers Football Club' and the 'Ready' motto appeared above and below the Crest respectively. Between 1997 and 1999 the scroll crest featured within a shield. After a successful end to the season in 2003, which delivered Rangers a Domestic Treble and their 50th league title; five stars were added to the top of the scroll crest, one for every ten titles won by the club. The team wore a special crest on 8 December 2012 in a home league match against Stirling Albion, to commemorate the 140th anniversary of their formation. '1872–2012' appeared above the scroll crest with the words '140 years' featuring below.[106][107]

Kit crest evolution

Colours

The club colours of Rangers F.C. are royal blue, white and red. However, for the majority of the first forty-eight years of Rangers existence the club played in a plain lighter blue home shirt. The only deviation from this was a four season period from 1879 when the side wore the lighter shade of blue and white in a hooped style. Traditionally this is accompanied by white shorts (often with royal blue and/or red trim) and black socks with red turn-downs. Rangers moved from the lighter shade of blue to royal blue in 1921, and have had a royal blue home shirt every year since. Black socks were first included in 1883 for five seasons before disappearing for eight years but became a more permanent fixture from 1896 onwards. When the red turn-downs were added to the socks in 1904, the strip began to look more like the modern day Rangers home kit. Occasionally the home kit will be altered by the shorts and socks, sometimes replacing the black socks with white ones; or replacing the white shorts and black socks combination with royal blue shorts and socks.[107]

The basic design of Rangers away strips has changed far more than the traditional home strip. Rangers original change strip, used between 1876 and 1879, was all white featuring blue and white hooped socks and a light blue six pointed star on the chest. White and red have been the most common colours for Rangers alternate strips, though dark and light blue have also featured highly. In 1994 Rangers introduced a third kit. This is usually worn if both the home and away kits clash with their opponents. The colours used in the third kits have included combinations of white, red, dark and light blue as well as black.[108]

Selection of Rangers kits through history[107]
The blue shirt, white shorts and blue & white hooped socks. Worn 1873–1879
The blue shirt, white shorts and blue & white hooped socks. Worn 1873–1879
A change kit featuring a white top. Worn 1916–1918, 1921–1932 and 1933–1934
A change kit featuring a white top. Worn 1916–1918, 1921–1932 and 1933–1934
The blue shirt, white shorts and black socks. Worn 1883–1888 and 1896–1904
The blue shirt, white shorts and black socks. Worn 1883–1888 and 1896–1904
The royal blue shirt with white collar and black socks with red tops. Worn 1921–1957
The royal blue shirt with white collar and black socks with red tops. Worn 1921–1957
The royal blue shirt and red socks with white tops. Worn 1968–1973.
The royal blue shirt and red socks with white tops. Worn 1968–1973 and 2012–2013
The royal blue shirt and black socks with red tops. Worn 1958–1968 and 1973–1978
The royal blue shirt and black socks with red tops. Worn 1958–1968 and 1973–1978

Sponsors and manufacturers

Since 1978 when Rangers signed a deal with Umbro they have had a specific kit manufacturer and since 1984 have had a kit sponsor. When Rangers played French sides AJ Auxerre and RC Strasbourg in the 1996–97 Champions League and the UEFA Cup respectively, due to a French ban on alcohol advertising the team wore the logo of Center Parcs instead of McEwan's Lager.[109] Later matches played in France (when the club was sponsored by Carling) saw the club have no shirt sponsor at all, versus AJ Auxerre in November 2006[110] and Olympique Lyonnais in October 2007.[111] The following tables detail the shirt sponsors and kit suppliers of Rangers by year:[107]

Stadium and training facility

Main articles: Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park

The club used a variety of grounds in Glasgow as a venue for home matches in the years between 1872 and 1899. The first was Flesher's Haugh, situated on Glasgow Green, followed by Burnbank in the Kelvinbridge area of the city, and then Kinning Park for ten years from the mid-1870s to the mid-1880s. From February of the 1886–87 season, Cathkin Park was used until the first Ibrox Park, in the Ibrox area of south-west Glasgow, was inaugurated for the following season. Ibrox Stadium in its current incarnation was originally designed by the architect Archibald Leitch, a Rangers fan who also played a part in the design of, among others, Old Trafford in Manchester and Highbury in London. The stadium was inaugurated on 30 December 1899, and Rangers defeated Hearts 3–1 in the first match held there.[123][124]

A panorama of Ibrox Stadium from the Broomloan Road End. This picture was taken the first match of the 2011–12 season, against Heart of Midlothian.
A panorama of Ibrox Stadium from the Broomloan Road End. This picture was taken during the first match of the 2011–12 SPL season, Rangers vs Heart of Midlothian.

Rangers' training facility is located in Auchenhowie, Glasgow. The facility is known as Murray Park after former chairman and owner Sir David Murray. It was proposed by then-manager Dick Advocaat upon his arrival at the club in 1998.[30] It was completed in 2001 at a cost of £14 million. Murray Park was the first purpose-built facility of its kind in Scotland, and incorporates features including nine football pitches, a state of the art gym, a hydrotherapy pool, and a video-editing suite. Rangers' youth teams are also accommodated at Murray Park, with around 140 players between under-10 and under-19 age groups using the training centre. Various first-team players have come through the ranks at Murray Park, including Alan Hutton, Chris Burke, Stevie Smith, John Fleck and Charlie Adam. International club teams playing in Scotland, as well as national sides, have previously used Murray Park for training, and Advocaat's South Korea team used it for training prior to the 2006 World Cup.[125][126]

Supporters

Rangers are one of the best supported clubs in Europe, the figure for the 2013–14 season being the 25th largest home league attendance.[127] The club's website lists over 150 supporters' clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,[128] with 95 further clubs spread across over 20 countries around the world.[129] One of Hong Kong's most popular football clubs Hong Kong Rangers F.C. was set up by an expatriate fan.

Rangers fans have contributed to several records for high attendances,[130] including the highest home attendance for a league fixture, 118,567 on 2 January 1939.[13] Rangers record highest attendance was against Hibernian on 27 March 1948 in the Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park. Rangers beat Hibernian 1–0 in front of a packed 143,570 crowd.

In 2008, up to 200,000 Rangers supporters, many without match tickets, travelled to Manchester for the UEFA Cup Final.[131][132] Despite most supporters behaving "impeccably",[133] Rangers fans were involved in serious trouble and rioting. A minority of fans rioted in the city centre, clashing violently with police and damaging property, resulting in 42 being arrested for a variety of offences.[134][135][136]

A panorama of Rangers supporters at the 2008 UEFA Cup final, in the Piccadilly Gardens fan zone. This picture was taken during the day before the match against Zenit Saint Petersburg on 14 May 2008.
A panorama of Rangers supporters at the 2008 UEFA Cup final, in the Piccadilly Gardens fan zone. This picture was taken during the day before the match against Zenit Saint Petersburg on 14 May 2008.

Rivalries

Rangers fans (right) at an Old Firm match away to Celtic in 2004.

The club's most distinct rivalry is with Glasgow neighbours Celtic F.C.; the two clubs are collectively known as the Old Firm, though they are not currently playing in the same league. Rangers' traditional support is largely drawn from the Protestant Unionist community, whilst Celtic's traditional support is largely drawn from the Catholic community. The first Old Firm match was won by Celtic and there have been nearly four hundred matches played to date. The Old Firm rivalry has fuelled many assaults, sometimes leading to deaths, on Old Firm derby days; an activist group that monitors sectarian activity in Glasgow has reported that on Old Firm weekends, admissions to hospital emergency rooms have increased over normal levels and journalist Franklin Foer noted that in the period from 1996 to 2003, eight deaths in Glasgow were directly linked to Old Firm matches, as well as hundreds of assaults.[137][138]

The bitter rivalry with Aberdeen developed following an incident in the 1979 League Cup final when Rangers' Derek Johnstone provoked the fury of the Dons support with what they believed was a blatant dive but which resulted in the dismissal of Aberdeen's Doug Rougvie and a Rangers victory.[139] Then, the following season, Aberdeen's John McMaster had to be given the kiss of life at Ibrox after a vicious stamp on his throat.[139] Relations between fans were further soured during a league match on 8 October 1988, when Aberdeen player Neil Simpson's tackle on Rangers' Ian Durrant resulted in Durrant being injured for two years.[140] Resentment continued and in 1998 an article in Rangers match programme branded Aberdeen fans "scum", although Rangers later issued a "full and unreserved apology" to Aberdeen and their supporters, which was accepted by Aberdeen.[141][142] Fixtures have been described as "even more of a powderkeg than Old Firm games".[143]

Rangers' relaunch in the Third Division in the 2012–13 season led to the club's original rivalry with Queen's Park being renewed for the first time since 1958 in the league. Rangers and Queen's Park first played each other in March 1879, some nine years before the start of the Old Firm rivalry.[144][145] Matches with Queen's Park were advertised as the "Original Glasgow Derby" by Rangers and the Scottish media; and as the "Oldest Derby in the World" by Queen's Park.[146]

Sectarianism

During the 19th century, many immigrants came to Glasgow from Ireland – this was a time of considerable anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiment in Scotland. The early success of Celtic, a club associated with the Irish and Catholic community, has been described as sharpening Rangers' Protestant Unionist identity, contributing to the eventual absence of openly Catholic players from the team.[147] From the early 20th century onwards, Catholics were not knowingly signed by the club, nor employed in other prominent roles as an 'unwritten rule'.[148][149][150][151]

In 1989, Rangers signed Maurice "Mo" Johnston, "their first major Roman Catholic signing".[152] Johnston was the highest-profile Catholic to sign for the club since the World War I era, though other Catholics had signed for Rangers before.[148][153] Since Johnston's signing, an influx of overseas footballers has contributed to Catholic players becoming commonplace at Rangers.[154] In 1999 Lorenzo Amoruso became the first Catholic captain of the club.[155]

Rangers partnered with Celtic to form the 'Old Firm Alliance', an initiative aimed at educating children from across Glasgow about issues like healthy eating and fitness, as well as awareness of anti-social behaviour, sectarianism and racism. The club's 'Follow With Pride' campaign was launched in 2007 to improve the club's image and build on previous anti-sectarian and anti-racist campaigns.[156][n 2] William Gaillard, UEFA's Director of Communications, commended the SFA and Scottish clubs, including Rangers, for their actions in fighting discrimination.[158] In September 2007, UEFA praised Rangers for the measures the club has taken against sectarianism.[159][160]

However, sectarian chanting by supporters has continued to incur criticism and sanctions upon the club as well as convictions against individuals identified.[161][162] In 1999, the vice-chairman of The Rangers Football Club Ltd, Donald Findlay, resigned after being filmed singing sectarian songs during a supporters club event.[163][164][165] UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body has punished Rangers for incidents during European ties, most notably Villarreal in 2006,[166] Osasuna in 2007,[167] and PSV Eindhoven in 2011.[168][169] In 2013, allegations were made that members of the armed forces were involved in sectarian singing at Ibrox at a weekend set up by the club to celebrate the British armed forces.[170] In February 2015, following sectarian singing from Rangers fans at a match at Raith Rovers, the SPFL came in for criticism for their failure or inability to deal with the issue.[171] The police and courts are taking action, however, as Rangers fans are being charged, convicted and jailed for sectarian behaviour.[172]

Ownership and finances

Incorporation to limited company and then to a PLC

Rangers Football Club incorporated on 27 May 1899, forming The Rangers Football Club Ltd.[75] No single shareholding exceeded 50% until 1985 when the Lawrence Group increased its shareholding in Rangers to a 52% majority, following a deal with then club vice-chairman Jack Gillespie. In November 1988, head of the Lawrence Group, Lawrence Marlborough, sold out to David Murray for £6 million.

In 2000, David Murray decided to list the company on the stock exchange, making it a public limited company. The name of the company was therefore changed to The Rangers Football Club Plc.[173]

Craig Whyte, administration and liquidation

On 6 May 2011, Craig Whyte bought David Murray's shares for £1.[174] On 13 February 2012. Whyte filed legal papers at the Court of Session giving notice of their intention to appoint administrators.[175] The next day, The Rangers Football Club Plc – which was subsequently renamed RFC 2012 Plc – entered administration over non-payment of £9 million in PAYE and VAT taxes to HM Revenue and Customs.[176][177] In April the administrators estimated that the club's total debts could top £134m which was largely dependent on the outcome of a First Tier Tax Tribunal concerning a disputed tax bill in relation to an Employee Benefit Trust ("EBT") scheme employed by the club since 2001.[178] However, on 20 November 2012, the Tribunal ruled in favour of Rangers. If that decision is upheld the tax bill could be significantly reduced from an estimated £74m to under £2m.[179][180] An Upper Tribunal upheld the decision in 2014.[181] HMRC then appealed to the Court of Session, which ruled in November 2015 that Rangers should have paid tax and national insurance on the EBT payments.[182]

On 25 June 2012, the Crown Office asked Strathclyde Police to investigate the purchase of Rangers and the club's subsequent financial management during Whyte's tenure.[183]

Charles Green agreed a deal with the administrators of The Rangers Football Club Plc to purchase the company for £8.5 million if a proposed CVA was agreed or to purchase its business and assets for a £5.5million if the proposed CVA were to be rejected.[184] On 14 June 2012, the formal rejection of the proposed CVA[185] meant that the company would enter the liquidation process.[186][187][188] The accountancy firm BDO were appointed to reveal why the company running the club failed.[189][190]

Current ownership

Hours after the CVA's rejection, a new company formed by Charles Green's consortium, Sevco Scotland Ltd, completed the purchase of the business and assets of The Rangers Football Club Plc.[191][192]

The new company formally applied to acquire the SPL share of The Rangers Football Club Plc on 18 June 2012 but, on 4 July, SPL clubs voted by 10–1 to reject the application. Kilmarnock abstained and the old Rangers company voted in favour.[79] Thereafter, an application to the Scottish Football League was successful with Rangers securing associate membership on 13 July 2012 at an SFL meeting by a vote of 29–1. The SFL member clubs voted that Rangers should enter the fourth tier of Scottish Football, Scottish Third Division for the 2012–13 season, rather than the Scottish First Division.[193][194][195]

An application was made for a transfer of SFA membership on 29 June 2012, with the new company applying for the transfer of the membership of The Rangers Football Club Plc.[196][197] Agreement was reached on the transfer with the new company accepting a number of conditions relating to the old company.[81]

At the end of 2012, Rangers International Football Club Plc became the holding company for the group, having acquired The Rangers Football Club Ltd on the basis of a one for one share exchange.[198]

Rangers Charity Foundation

The Rangers Charity Foundation was created in 2002 and participates in a wide range of charitable work, regularly involving Rangers staff and star players. The foundation also has partnerships with UNICEF, The Prostate Cancer Charity and Erskine, and is responsible for over £2.3 million in donations. As well as fundraising, the Rangers Charity Foundation regularly bring sick, disabled and disadvantaged children to attend matches and tours at Ibrox, with the chance to meet the players.[199][200]

Records

Club

Record league percentage win

100% 1898–99[201][n 3]

Highest Ever Attendance

143,570 vs Hibernian, 27 March 1948[202][203][204]

British record home Attendance

118,567 vs Celtic, 2 January 1939[4][13][205][206]

World record fourth tier Attendance

50,048 vs Berwick Rangers, 4 May 2013[82][88][89]

Highest European Attendance

100,000 vs Dynamo Kyiv, 16 September 1987[207]
Highest scoring match

14–2 vs Whitehill, 29 September 1883[208]

14–2 vs Blairgowrie, 20 January 1934[205][206][208]

Record league victory

10–0 vs Hibernian, 24 December 1898[4][202][208]

10–2 vs Raith Rovers, 16 December 1967[208]

World record league titles won

54[209]

World record trebles won

7[210]

World record trophies won

119[211]

Player

Record appearances

John Greig, 755 appearances 1960–1978.[212]

Record goalscorer

Ally McCoist, 355 goals 1983–1998.[213]
Most league goals

Ally McCoist, 251 goals.[213]

Most Scotland caps whilst playing at Rangers

Ally McCoist, 61 caps.[213][214]

Players

First team squad

As of 4 May 2016 [215]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Scotland GK Cammy Bell
2 England DF James Tavernier
4 Republic of Ireland DF Rob Kiernan
5 Scotland DF Lee Wallace (captain)
6 England DF Dominic Ball (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur)
7 England MF Nicky Law
8 United States MF Gedion Zelalem (on loan from Arsenal)
9 Scotland FW Kenny Miller (vice-captain)
11 Scotland FW David Templeton
14 Scotland FW Nicky Clark
15 England MF Harry Forrester
No. Position Player
16 Scotland MF Andy Halliday
17 Scotland FW Billy King (on loan from Heart of Midlothian)
19 Scotland FW Barrie McKay
22 Northern Ireland MF Dean Shiels
23 Scotland MF Jason Holt
25 England GK Wes Foderingham
27 Scotland DF Danny Wilson
29 Scotland FW Michael O'Halloran
33 England FW Martyn Waghorn
62 Scotland MF Liam Burt

On loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
18 Scotland MF Andy Murdoch (at Queen of the South)
20 Canada DF Fraser Aird (at Vancouver Whitecaps)
21 Scotland MF Robbie Crawford (at Alloa Athletic)
32 Scotland GK Liam Kelly (at East Fife)
No. Position Player
42 Scotland FW Ryan Hardie (at Raith Rovers)
45 Northern Ireland MF Jordan Thompson (at Airdrieonians)
48 Scotland FW Tom Walsh (at Dumbarton)
50 Scotland DF Ross McCrorie (at Ayr United)

Academy squad

For more details on the academy squads, see Rangers F.C. Academy.

Retired and reserved numbers

Ownership and board

Rangers F.C. is owned by The Rangers Football Club Limited, which in turn is owned by the holding company Rangers International Football Club PLC.

Board of Rangers International Football Club PLC

As of 15 November 2015[217]

Position Name
Chairman Dave King
Managing Director Stewart Robertson
Non-Executive Director Paul Murray
Non-Executive Director John Gilligan
Non-Executive Director John Bennett
Non-Executive Director Graeme Park
Non-Executive Director Douglas Park
Director of Finance and Administration Andrew Dickson
Company Secretary James Blair

Operational staff

As of 4 February 2016[218]

Position Name
Manager Mark Warburton
Assistant Manager David Weir
Goalkeeping Coach Jim Stewart
Captain Lee Wallace
Honorary Life President John Greig
Head of Recruitment Frank McParland
Doctor Paul Jackson
Head of Performance and Preparation Craig Flannigan
Head of Sports Science Gary Sherriff
Head of Analysis Neil McIlhargey
Assistant Analyst Steve Harvey
Physiotherapists Stevie Walker and Kevin MacLellan
Masseur David Lavery
Kit Controller Jimmy Bell
Head of Commercial Scott Steedman
Global Ambassador Richard Gough

Team managers

For a list of team managers, see List of Rangers F.C. managers.

Only 15 men have been manager of Rangers during their 143-year history.[58][219][220] The longest serving manager is Bill Struth who served for 34 years and 26 days. Rangers have had two foreign managers during their history; Dick Advocaat (1 June 1998 to 12 December 2001)[30][37] and Paul Le Guen (9 May 2006 to 4 January 2007). Graeme Souness is the only player-manager during Rangers' history.[27]

The most successful manager in terms of the number of trophies won is Bill Struth with 18 League titles, 10 Scottish Cups and 2 League Cups, but the most successful manager in terms of trophies to time served is Walter Smith with 7 League titles, 3 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups in 7 years 42 days. Smith won 3 League titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups in the 4 years, 126 days of his second spell. Rangers' other manager with notable success was William Waddell who won the European Cup Winner's Cup during his 2 years and 175-day stint. Mark Warburton is the present manager of the club.

Honours

As of April 2016[11]

Domestic honours

1890–91,[n 4] 1898–99, 1899–1900, 1900–01, 1901–02, 1910–11, 1911–12, 1912–13, 1917–18, 1919–20, 1920–21, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1924–25, 1926–27, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1936–37, 1938–39, 1946–47, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11[11][205][206]
2015–16
2013–14
2012–13
1893–94, 1896–97, 1897–98, 1902–03, 1927–28, 1929–30, 1931–32, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1947–48, 1948–49, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1959–60, 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1980–81, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1995–96, 1998–99, 1999–2000, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2007–08, 2008–09[11][205][206]
1946–47, 1948–49, 1960–61, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1970–71, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1978–79, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, 2010–11[11][205][206]
2015–16
1979[11]

European honours

Doubles and trebles

1948–49, 1963–64, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1992–93, 1998–99, 2002–03
1961-62, 1978–79, 2001–02, 2007–08
1927–28, 1929–30, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1949–50, 1952–53, 1962–63, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2008–09
1946-47, 1960–61, 1986–87, 1988–89, 1990–91, 1993–94, 1996–97, 2004–05, 2009–10, 2010–11

Notable statistics

Rangers became the first British side to reach a UEFA-sanctioned European final in 1961.[221]

UEFA rankings

Club coefficients 2015–16

As of 1 January 2016[222]
Rank Country Team Points
266SwedenGefle IF 4.975
267SwedenKalmar FF 4.975
268ScotlandDundee United F.C. 4.960
269ScotlandRangers F.C. 4.960
270LithuaniaFK Žalgiris Vilnius 4.925
271BulgariaPFC Litex Lovech 4.875
272LiechtensteinFC Vaduz 4.850

Notable former players

The "Greatest Ever" Rangers 11 chosen by fans, in 1999. The coach chosen was Walter Smith.[n 5][223]

Greatest ever team

The following team was voted the greatest ever Rangers team by supporters in 1999. When the vote was launched it was feared that younger voters would ignore the great service of many of the pre-war stars (notably the most successful captain and most successful manager the club has ever had, Davie Meiklejohn and Bill Struth respectively). When the ballot was launched Donald Findlay stated it would be limited to post Second World War players because "few can recall players of these earlier eras":[224]

Scotland Football Hall of Fame

To 2015, 28 players and managers to have been involved with Rangers in their careers, have entered the Scottish Football Hall of Fame:[225]

Scotland Roll of Honour

The Scotland national football team roll of honour recognises players who have gained 50 or more international caps for Scotland. The nine inductees to have won caps while playing for Rangers are:[226]

Scottish Sports Hall of Fame

In the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, 3 Rangers players have been selected, they are:[227]

Sponsors

As of 12 September 2015, Rangers are sponsored by:[228]

Media outlets

Rangers Football Club now have a number of dedicated media outlets to communicate official news and information to their supporters. These include:

See also

References

  1. ↑ However this attendance was unofficially exceeded prior to this match with 59,966. But this attendance was not officially recorded[83]
  2. ↑ Racism has been directed at players on the pitch at Rangers games, including at former Celtic player Bobo Balde.[157]
  3. ↑ Rangers are the only team in history to ever have accomplished this.[202]
  4. ↑ Shared with Dumbarton F.C. after both clubs ended the season on 29 points. A play-off game at Cathkin Park on 21 May 1891 finished 2–2, so the clubs were declared joint champions[11]
  5. ↑ Choices were limited to post World War II era players only.
  1. ↑ THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED Company No. SC425159 Companies House, accessed 21 October 2014
  2. ↑ Gammelsæter, Hallgeir; Senaux, Benoit (2011). The Organisation and Governance of Top Football Across Europe. Routledge. p. 48. ISBN 9781136705335. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  3. ↑ Paul Smith (2013). Scotland Who's Who: International Players 1872–2013. Pitch Publishing. p. 126.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "45,000 to see Rangers face blokes coming off night shift". Eurosport. Yahoo!. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Founded: 1872
    Biggest win: 10–0 v Hibernian 1898
    Most appearances: John Greig 755 (1960–1978)
  5. 1 2 "The on-field history of Rangers Football Club 1873–2012". BBC News (BBC). 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. The club's origins date back to 1872 when Peter McNeil, his brother Moses, Peter Campbell and William McBeath formed their own team in Glasgow.
    The name Rangers was adopted from an English rugby club and the first game, against Callander FC, ended 0–0. The club's official beginning came to be recognised as 1873, when the first annual general meeting was held.
    By the time of the first Scottish Football League season in 1890, Rangers had arrived at their current home of Ibrox, in the south east of Glasgow, via Burnbank and Kinning Park.
    Rangers finished joint top of the league with Dumbarton, and after a play-off ended 2–2, a decision was taken to share the title.
    This was the only time the league has ever been shared, and it marked the first senior honour for Rangers.
    Rangers won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 1894, beating Celtic 3–1
    Three years later, the club recorded their first ever Scottish Cup win, beating Celtic 3–1 in the 1894 final.
    Rangers won the trophy again in 1897 and 1898 with victories over Dumbarton and Kilmarnock.
  6. ↑ "Co founder of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, Rangers and Scotland Footballer – a true Footballing Pioneer". Helensburgh Heroes. helensburghheroes.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. McNeil won two caps for Scotland, the first Ranger to represent his country, the first on 25 March 1876 in a 4–0 win over Wales and the second on 13 March 1880 in a 5–4 win over England, in which he played alongside his brother, Henry. Henry McNeil won a total of 10 caps for his country and scored 5 goals.
  7. 1 2 "Rangers History". Evening Times. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013. Rangers were born in March 1872, after a group of teenage rowing enthusiasts watched a game of football in Glasgow Green. Brothers Peter and Moses McNeil and Peter Campbell and William McBeath got their heads together to give rise to the club, who played just two matches in their first year.
    It’s believed that Moses McNeil suggested the name ‘Rangers’ after seeing it in a book about English rugby. The club played their first game in May 1972 at Flecher’s Haugh in Glasgow Green against Callander, a match that ended in a 0–0 draw.
    The year 1873 is the official founding of Rangers as that was the year the elected office bearers. The first time the club donned blue shirts was their second game, against Clyde (not the present-day club) and won it 11–0.
    Five years after their founding, Rangers made it to their first major cup final against Vale of Leven. The game was played at First Hampden Park and it finished 1–1 so a replay beckoned. Rangers refused to turn up for the replay and Vale were awarded the cup. The teams met the following year in the Charity Cup. Rangers won 2–1 and the Glasgow Merchants’ Charity Cup was the first major trophy to be won by the team.
    The 1890–91 season saw the inception of the Scottish Football League, and Rangers were one of ten original members. Rangers' first ever league match took place on 16 August 1890 and resulted in a 5–2 victory over Hearts. After finishing equal-top with Dumbarton a play-off was held at Cathkin Park to decide the champions. The match finished 2–2 and the title was shared for the only time in its history – the first of Rangers' 54 championships.
  8. ↑ "Summer Soccer & Football Camps train with the best teams in world football". football-soccer-camps.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. After joining, Rangers finally reached their first final of the Scottish Cup in 1877 but were not victorious.
    The eternal rivalry, known as the Old Firm, between the two Glaswegian city teams, Rangers and Celtic has been ongoing since the first Old Firm match in 1888, in which Rangers lost 5–2 in a friendly against the Celtic team which was largely made up of "guest players" from Hibernians.
  9. ↑ "The Founding of Celtic Football Club 1888". BBC. November 2005. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013. It would be over six months later before the newly-constituted Celtic club played its first ever match, on 28 May 1888 which resulted in a 5–2 win over Rangers, in what was called a 'friendly match'.
  10. ↑ "The Founding Fathers". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. All those championships and cups would never have found their way into the Ibrox Trophy Room but for that encounter between Peter McNeil, his brother Moses, Peter Campbell and William McBeath.
    Their first match was an unlikely affair against Callander FC at Flesher's Haugh on Glasgow Green.
    ...
    The result was 0–0, but that didn't matter. Rangers had been born.
    The name Rangers was adopted from an English rugby club. By their second fixture – the only other they played that first year – they had donned the light blue. It must have done the trick – Rangers beat Clyde 11–0.
    By 1876 Rangers had their first international, Moses McNeil one of the four founders, who made his Scotland debut in a 4–0 victory over Wales.
    The following year Rangers made the breakthrough reaching their first Scottish Cup Final. It took three matches to find a winner, and sadly it was their opponents Vale of Leven. After two drawn games, 0–0 and 1–1, Rangers finally succumbed 3–2 in the second replay.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Rangers". scottishfootballleague.com. Scottish Football League. July 2014. Archived from the original on 31 July 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  12. 1 2 "Rangers FC". UEFA.com. UEFA. 30 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. Founded by brothers Moses and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath, Rangers shared their first championship with Dumbarton FC in 1890/91 then beat Celtic FC 3–1 to win their first Scottish Cup in 1894, clinching their first title outright by winning every game of the 1898/99 campaign.
    William Struth's 34 years as manager from 1920 onwards ushered in the club's first golden era; Rangers won 18 league championships, ten Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups under Struth, including Scotland's first domestic treble in the 1948/49 season.
    In 1961, Rangers became the first British club to reach the final of a UEFA competition when they got to the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final only to lose 4–1 on aggregate to ACF Fiorentina; they lost 1–0 to FC Bayern München in the final of the same competition six years later before finally lifting the trophy in 1972 when beating FC Dinamo Moskva 3–2 at the Camp Nou.
  13. 1 2 3 Forsyth, Roddy (22 September 2006). "A lot of bottle in Old Firm duels". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The record Old Firm gate at a club ground was set on 2 Jan 1939 by a crowd of 118,567 at Ibrox.
  14. ↑ "The Dominant Force". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Sadly, Wilton was not to enjoy this extraordinary success which saw Rangers take the title 15 times in 21 seasons.
    With the Championship back at Ibrox, Wilton – the club's first manager – died the day after the last game of the season in May 1920, drowning in a boating accident.
    Struth, who was appointed his successor, lived to become a legend. He managed the club for 34 years, winning a glittering array of trophies – 18 League Championships, 10 Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
  15. 1 2 Murray, Scott (30 December 2011). "The Joy of Six: new year football fixtures". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013. The humiliated Rangers boss that day was Scot Symon, so it is with a pleasing symmetry that Symon was a player in the other record victory in an Old Firm match. Because while Celtic's 7–1 win is the biggest win in official competition, Rangers went one better in an unofficial wartime Scottish Southern League ne'erday game between the two rivals in 1943. An Ibrox crowd of just over 30,000 watched a strong Rangers side including Symon, George Young and the legendary winger Willie Waddell rattle up an 8–1 victory.
  16. ↑ "About Scot Symon". in.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. He returned to Rangers just one year later where he would steer them to six league championships. He also took Rangers into European football for the first time reaching two Cup Winners Cup finals which was a fine achievement by losing in both finals
  17. ↑ Stone, Colin (5 January 2012). "Top 10 Glasgow Rangers Players of All Time". Bleacher Report. pp. 2–11. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. Regarded as one of Scotland's greatest ever players, Jim Baxter can also be counted amongst the Rangers' greats for his terrific achievements in the '60s.
    "Slim Jim" joined the club in 1960 for £17,500, a record at the time, and went on to win 10 trophies in the five years he spent in Scotland.
  18. ↑ Ripley, Dan (26 August 2010). "CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LOWDOWN: The teams to avoid, plum picks and all you need to know about the group stage draw". Daily Mail (Daily Mail and General Trust). Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Rangers: Semi-finalists – 1960
    Lost to Eintracht Frankfurt 12–4 on aggregate in what remains a record scoreline in a European Cup semi-final.
  19. ↑ Baird, Stuart. "'And the cry was "No Defenders"' The Museum of Scottish Football at Hampden Park, Glasgow". Culture Wars. Institute of Ideas. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012. Rangers were the first British team to reach a European final in 1961
  20. ↑ Womersley, Tara (19 June 2001). "Thousands pay tribute to victims of Ibrox disaster". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. David Murray, the chairman of Rangers, yesterday unveiled a bronze statue of John Greig, the captain who led his team against Celtic on the day of the accident. The statue lists the names of those who died in 1971 and 25 fans killed when wooden terraces collapsed during a match between Scotland and England in 1902. Mr Greig then laid a wreath at the plinth of the statue.
    ...
    An inquiry, however, later discounted the theory and said that the crush was likely to have happened 10 minutes after the final whistle and to have been triggered by someone falling on the stairs.
  21. ↑ "Scotland XI vs Rangers/Celtic Select Official Programme of the Match". celticprogrammesonline.com. 27 January 1971. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012. Attendance: 81,405
  22. ↑ "Destiny awaits Ibrox heroes". The Scotsman (Johnston Press). 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2009. It is hard to take that after Celtic were able to celebrate as much as they liked in Lisbon, our club and supporters were denied a post-match presentation because the Spanish police completely misunderstood the fans' on-field invasion at the end.
    I played with a stress fracture in my foot. A guy jumped on it late in the final and I ended up with another fracture on the other side, but the euphoria kept the pain away until I was called down to this little room to receive the trophy.
    It all passed in a blur, but I hobbled down there in agony with our manager Willie Waddell and a UEFA delegate and, in this cramped corner covered in Barcelona memorabilia, the delegate handed me the trophy and basically said: "Here, take the cup Glasgow Rangers, now go away".
    When I got back to the dressing room all my team-mates were either in the bath or out of it. I felt sorry they didn't get to parade the trophy – ultimately what we were playing for – and even sorrier for all those people who had a paid a lot of money to travel to the Nou Camp and see that.
  23. ↑ "Rangers triumph in Europe 1972". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). December 2005. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Rangers were handed a two-year ban by UEFA for their fans' poor behaviour. Waddell succeeded in getting this reduced to one year, meaning Rangers could not defend their trophy. Waddell argued that the police had over-reacted, that the fans were drunk but not intent on violence, and that recent European finals had witnessed rejoicing Celtic, Bayern Munich and Ajax fans running on to the park and those occasions had been deemed acceptable.
  24. ↑ "Scottish Cup History And Archives". Scottish FA. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. 122,714 supporters packed into Hampden on 5 May 1973 for the Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic.
  25. ↑ McKinney, David (26 July 1996). "Obituary: Jock Wallace". The Independent (Independent Print Ltd). Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Jock Wallace was a giant of Scottish football. No other description can do justice to the man who ended Celtic's domination of the game in the 1970s and who, as manager, led Rangers to two domestic trebles within three years, the Glasgow club winning the League title, the League Cup and the Scottish Cup.
  26. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE: Graeme Souness – Smith is simply the best boss in the modern Ibrox era". Daily Mail (Daily Mail and General Trust). 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012. There will be no more fitting way to mark his departure than to beat Celtic to another championship but Walter has already established himself as one of the finest managers Scotland has ever produced. He's the best Rangers manager in the modern game. After Sir Alex Ferguson and Jock Stein, his record is fantastic; his success is there for all to see.
  27. 1 2 "Rangers paying for overspending ways". The footy pie. thefootypie.com. February 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved December 2012. Graham Souness lead the side to their first two championships as player-manager before his assistant, Walter Smith, took the reign, claiming another seven titles to equal a record set by Jock Stein at Celtic in the 1960s and 70s.
  28. ↑ "UEFA Champions League 1992/93: Rangers". UEFA. UEFA.com. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
  29. ↑ "Scottish Premier Division 1996–97". Soccorbot. soccerbot.com. 27 June 2000. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  30. 1 2 3 Campbell, Andy (13 May 2008). "Advocaat's Rangers legacy". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010. When Dick Advocaat became the Rangers manager in 1998, it was a brave new dawn for the Ibrox club as chairman David Murray attempted to begin a new chapter in the club's history following Walter Smith's departure.
  31. ↑ "Rangers make history out of chaos". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). 3 May 1999. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Celtic 0–3 Rangers
    Rangers created history by winning the title at Celtic Park in a stormy Old Firm game which saw referee Hugh Dallas injured by a missile thrown from the pitch.
  32. ↑ "When Rangers can win the league". The Scotsman (Johnston Press). 28 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010. The biggest winning points margin in the history of the SPL was enjoyed by Rangers in 1999/00, when they finished 21 points clear of Celtic.
  33. ↑ "Champions League group tables". BBC Sport (BBC). 2 November 1999. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012.
  34. ↑ "Rangers put Parma in the shade". BBC Sport (BBC). 12 August 1999. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Rangers 2–0 Parma
    Rangers secured one of their most impressive European results in years, as Italian giants Parma crashed to defeat in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier
  35. ↑ Forsyth, Roddy (12 November 2000). "Rangers' £12m Flo gamble". Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. DAVID MURRAY, the Rangers chairman, moved dramatically last night to end the crisis at Ibrox by setting a new Scottish transfer record of £12 million for Chelsea's out-of-favour Norwegian international forward, Tore Andre Flo.
  36. ↑ "Kaiserslautern 3–0 Rangers". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 December 2000. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010. Full time: Kaiserslautern 3–0 Rangers
    92 mins The Fritz Walter Stadium erupts on the referee's final whistle which brings down the curtain on Rangers' European campaign.
  37. 1 2 "Rangers unveil McLeish". BBC Sport (BBC). 11 December 2001. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Alex McLeish has been unveiled as Rangers' 11th manager after a dramatic day at Ibrox.
  38. ↑ "Rangers complete Treble". BBC Sports Scotland (BBC Sport). 31 May 2003. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Rangers capped a fabulous season with a hard-earned Scottish Cup win over Dundee at Hampden Park to seal the seventh domestic Treble in the club's history.
  39. ↑ "Rangers win to clinch title". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC Sport). 25 May 2003. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012. Rangers 6–1 Dunfermline Athletic
    An injury-time penalty by Mikel Arteta clinched the SPL title for Rangers in an amazing afternoon at Ibrox.
    Rangers were 5–1 up as the match entered the last few minutes, but with Celtic 4–0 up at Rugby Park and still playing, they knew the championship was not yet theirs.
  40. ↑ Grahame, Ewing (26 May 2003). "Six into one equals victory Rangers secure a world-record 50th championship as title showdown goes all the way to the wire". Herald Scotland (Newsquest). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Rangers secure a world-record 50th championship
  41. ↑ "Rangers stay cool over huge losses". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). 30 September 2002. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers chairman John McClelland has attempted to assure shareholders the club's £52m debt is nothing to be alarmed over.
  42. ↑ Salty (29 July 2011). "Aston Villa's Alex McLeish, a look at his managerial career". Football blog. footballblog.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. At this point McLeish was viewed as one of the hottest managers in the game. Success doesn't last forever and Rangers financial state cost McLeish dear in 2003. Many of his prize assets were sold and subsequently Celtic won the league comfortably. Also, Rangers failed to pick up a single trophy that season.
  43. ↑ "Magpies complete Boumsong signing". BBC Sport (BBC). 2 January 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Boumsong joined Rangers from Auxerre on a free transfer last summer and made just 28 appearances for them before moving to England.
  44. ↑ "Rangers get Prso". BBC Sport (BBC). 9 May 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Rangers have confirmed the signing of Monaco's Croatian striker Dado Prso.
  45. ↑ "Rangers sign Novo". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). 6 July 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Rangers have completed the signing of Nacho Novo from Dundee but manager Alex McLeish insists his summer spending spree is not yet over.
  46. ↑ "Transfer window dealings". Daily Mail (Daily Mail and general trust). 1 February 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Barry Ferguson – Blackburn to Rangers, £4.5million rising to £5million depending on appearances.
  47. ↑ "Rangers in dramatic title triumph". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). 22 May 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Rangers pipped rivals Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title after a dramatic final day of the season.
    The Gers went into the final game two points behind their Glasgow rivals but a sensational late fightback by Motherwell gave them the title.
  48. ↑ Jackson, Keith (22 April 2010). "Football flashback: Looking back on Rangers' 'helicopter Sunday' triumph in 2005". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. NACHO Novo will be remembered forever as the man whose goal made the helicopter change direction.
  49. ↑ "Rangers 1–1 Inter Milan". BBC Sport (BBC). 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Peter Lovenkrands was the goalscoring hero as Rangers became the first Scottish club to qualify from the group stages of the Champions League.
    ...
    Criticised by some for his tactics during a run without a win now stretching to 10 games, McLeish got it right on the European stage with the surprise inclusion of Lovenkrands as a lone striker.
  50. ↑ "Villarreal 1–1 Rangers (agg 3–3)". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Rangers' dream of becoming the first Scottish side in the quarter-finals of the Champions League ended as they lost on the away-goals rule to Villarreal.
  51. ↑ "McLeish to leave Rangers in May". BBC Sport (BBC). 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Alex McLeish will leave his position as Rangers manager at the end of the season, the club has confirmed
  52. ↑ "Rangers name Le Guen as manager". BBC Sport (BBC). 11 March 2006. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have announced that Paul Le Guen will replace Alex McLeish as manager at the end of the season.
  53. ↑ "Rangers 0–2 St Johnstone". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). 8 November 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. St Johnstone recorded one of their finest results to stun Rangers at Ibrox and reach the CIS Cup semi-finals.
  54. ↑ Glenn, Patrick (24 September 2006). "Gravesen piles pressure on Le Guen". The Observer (Guardian Media Group). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Until Gravesen gave the home side the lead there was a wariness about both sides, which betrayed the number of players on each side who were making their first appearance in the conflict. If Celtic were expected to be dominant – with Rangers reliant on the absorption of pressure and the counter-thrust – Gordon Strachan and his players would also be mindful of the four-point advantage they held over their great rivals and the need not to risk having it damaged.
  55. ↑ Murray, Ewan (15 December 2006). "Hutton sends Rangers clean through to Old Firm match". Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2011. Paul Le Guen is satisfied his Rangers players will enter Sunday's Old Firm match in as positive a frame of mind as possible after they sealed the top qualifying position from Group A and secured a second consecutive clean sheet.
  56. ↑ Austin, Simon (5 January 2007). "Clash of cultures". BBC Sport (BBC). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Paul Le Guen's relationship with Barry Ferguson was never likely to be a marriage made in heaven.
    On one side was an authoritarian French manager used to having the final word and working with clean-living, tee-total players.
    On the other was a passionate Scottish captain who enjoyed talismanic status with the fans and liked to work hard and play hard.
    There were reported to be differences between the duo soon after Le Guen took over at Ibrox seven months ago. And they came to the surface at a news conference before the last Old Firm derby on 17 December.
  57. ↑ "Le Guen and Rangers part company". BBC Sport (BBC). 4 January 2007. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has left the club by mutual consent.
  58. 1 2 "Smith installed as Rangers boss". BBC Sport (BBC). 10 January 2007. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Walter Smith has quit as Scotland coach to become boss of Rangers for a second time after agreeing a three-year deal.
  59. ↑ Moffat, Colin (12 December 2007). "Rangers 0–3 Lyon". BBC Sport (BBC). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers crashed out of the Champions League and into the Uefa Cup with a disappointing home defeat to Lyon.
  60. ↑ "Rangers & Zenit chase Uefa glory". BBC Sport (BBC). 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Fiorentina have been dispatched, along with Sporting since Rangers qualified via their position in the Champions League group stage.
  61. ↑ "Zenit coach Advocaat insists Rangers should not change style of play for UEFA Cup final". Daily Mail (Daily mail and General Trust). 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers may have been criticised for their cautious approach in European games this season – but Zenit St Petersburg boss Dick Advocaat insists Walter Smith should not change his style of play when the sides clash in the UEFA Cup final.
  62. ↑ Winter, Henry (15 May 2008). "Rangers run out of steam as Zenit lift Uefa Cup". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Zenit St Petersburg (0) 2 Rangers (0) 0
    It is not only Scottish fuel stations that have been running on empty recently. The warning light began flashing on Rangers' tank midway through the second half last night, their exhausting schedule finally catching up with them, allowing a superior and fresher Zenit side to lift the Uefa Cup.
  63. ↑ "Rangers exit Champions League in Lithuania". CNN World Sport (CNN). 5 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Scottish giants Rangers slumped to a shock European exit when Linas Pilibaitis gave FBK Kaunas 2–1 a aggregate win in their Champions League second qualifying round tie in Lithuania.
  64. ↑ Forsyth, Roddy (24 May 2009). "Rejuvenated Rangers take SPL title in style with victory at Dundee United". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2010. With the boundless relief and joie de vivre of a man who has been reprieved on the steps of the gallows and installed in a palace, Rangers produced a climactic performance to snatch their first championship since 2005 at sun-drenched Tannadice.
  65. ↑ Forsyth, Roddy (30 May 2009). "Rangers 1 Falkirk 0: Match report". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2010. Rangers completed the second stage of their Scottish league and cup double in the baking heat of Hampden Park on Saturday thanks to a glorious goal from Nacho Novo, with his first touch of the ball only seconds after arriving as a half-time substitute for Kris Boyd. But the favourites were made to sweat throughout – and not simply because of the sweltering conditions.
  66. ↑ Murray, Ewan (21 March 2010). "Kenny Miller sees nine-man Rangers through to victory". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2010. It would, of course, be churlish not to recognise the winning mentality of a team who have lost just a single domestic fixture since Celtic lifted this trophy at their expense a year ago. Yet this win arrived in the most unlikely of circumstances, sealing the League Cup despite being down to nine men.
  67. ↑ "Rangers happy to prove doubters wrong after Cup win". BBC Sport (BBC). 20 March 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers manager Walter Smith described the Co-operative Insurance Cup final win over Celtic as one of his "best ever" victories.
    Smith, coming to the end of his second spell in charge at Ibrox, clinched a 20th trophy as Rangers boss after the 2–1 extra-time win at Hampden.
  68. ↑ Moffat, Colin (16 May 2011). "Kilmarnock 1 – 5 Rangers". BBC Sport (BBC). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2011. Rangers gave departing manager Walter Smith the perfect send-off as they wrapped up a third-consecutive Scottish Premier League title in style.
    A blistering opening saw Kyle Lafferty net twice inside seven minutes, either side of a Steven Naismith strike.
    Early in the second half, Nikica Jelavic smashed in a free kick and Lafferty completed his hat-trick with a composed finish.
  69. ↑ "Rangers crash out of Champions League after seeing red twice at Malmo". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers' Champions League hopes were shattered as they crashed out of the competition at the hands of Malmo after being reduced to nine men in the qualifier in Sweden. Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra were both shown straight red cards, before Malmo's Ricardinho was also dismissed by the referee Vladislav Bezborodov at the Swedbank stadium
  70. ↑ Campbell, Andy (25 August 2011). "Rangers 1 – 1 NK Maribor (agg 2 – 3)". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers exited the Europa League as Maribor claimed an aggregate victory to progress to the group stages.
  71. ↑ "Ally McCoist fuming as Falkirk kids dump Rangers out of cup". BBC Sport (BBC). 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Manager Ally McCoist believes his Rangers players have only themselves to blame for their shock League Cup defeat by a very youthful Falkirk line-up.
  72. ↑ Campbell, Andy (5 February 2012). "Rangers 0–2 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012. Dundee United knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup with a deserved fifth-round victory at Ibrox.
  73. ↑ "Rangers' 10-point deduction confirmed by SPL". BBC Sport (BBC). 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers have been deducted 10 points after entering administration.
  74. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (25 March 2012). "Rangers 3–2 Celtic". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Reigning champions Rangers prevented the Scottish title being won on their own patch despite a dramatic late rally from nine-man runaway leaders Celtic.
  75. 1 2 "RFC 2012 P.L.C.". Companies House. UK Government. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. IncorporationDate 27/05/1899
    PreviousNames
    CONDate 31 July 2012
    CompanyName THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB P.L.C.
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  77. ↑ "Interim Report to Creditors" (pdf). Duff and Phelps. Rangers FC. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012. The continuation of trading operations enabled the Joint Administrators to put the CVA Proposal to the creditors of the Company and after the CVA Proposal was rejected by creditors, the Joint Administrators were able to secure a going concern sale of the business, history and assets of the Company to Sevco
  78. ↑ "Lord Nimmo Smith Commission" (pdf). Lord Nimmo Smith Commission. SPFL.co.uk. 28 February 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2014. On 14 June 2012 a newly incorporated company, Sevco Scotland Limited, purchased substantially all the business and assets of Oldco, including Rangers FC, by entering into an asset sale and purchase agreement with the joint administrators.
  79. 1 2 "Rangers newco refused SPL entry after chairmen vote". BBC Sport (BBC). 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. BBC Scotland has learned that 10 of the 12 clubs were in opposition, with Kilmarnock abstaining and Rangers voting in favour.
  80. ↑ Rangers in crisis: Ibrox newco to play in Third Division after SFL clubs vote Daily Record, 13 July 2012
  81. 1 2 "Agreement on Transfer of Membership". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. 27 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. We are pleased to confirm that agreement has been reached on all outstanding points relating to the transfer of the Scottish FA membership between Rangers FC (In Administration), and Sevco Scotland Ltd, who will be the new owners of The Rangers Football Club.
  82. 1 2 "Fourth-tier Rangers shatter world record". The Sydney Morning Herald (Fairfax Media). 19 August 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. Rangers manager Ally McCoist paid tribute to the troubled club's fans after 49,118 packed into Ibrox to watch Saturday's 5–1 thrashing of East Stirling, a world record attendance for fourth-tier football.
  83. ↑ "Best attendances of Brazilian Championship of 4th Level" (in Portuguese). RSSSF Brasil. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 1 Santa Cruz (PE) 0 × 0 Treze (PB), 59.966, 16/10/2011, Estádio do Arruda
  84. ↑ "Stirling Albion 1–0 Rangers". BBC Sport (BBC). 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Rangers suffered a shock first loss in the Third Division after crashing to defeat against bottom side Stirling Albion.
  85. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (18 September 2012). "Ramsdens Cup: Rangers 2–2 Queen of the South (3–4 pens)". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012. Rangers made a shock exit in the Ramsdens Cup after a penalty shoot-out defeat by Queen of the South at Ibrox.
  86. ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (31 October 2012). "Rangers 0–3 Inverness Caley Thistle". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2012. Inverness Caledonian Thistle advanced to the semi-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup for the first time with an ultimately comfortable defeat of Rangers.
  87. ↑ Dundee United 3–0 Rangers www.bbc.co.uk, 2 February 2013
  88. 1 2 "Rangers v Queen's Park Match facts". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). 20 October 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. Attendance 49,463
  89. 1 2 "THE IRN-BRU SCOTTISH THIRD DIVISION". Sky Sports (Sky). 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. IBROX STADIUM (ATT 49,913)
  90. ↑ Rangers clinch Scottish League 1 title after 3–0 win over Airdrieonians stv.tv, accessed 10 April 2014
  91. ↑ Raith Rovers 1:0 Rangers bbc.co.uk, accessed 10 April 2014
  92. ↑ Rangers 1:3 Hibernian bbc.co.uk, 29 September 2014
  93. ↑ Hibs 4:0 Rangers bbc.co.uk 27 December 2014
  94. ↑ Rangers 1:2 Hearts bbc.co.uk, 10 August 2014
  95. ↑ Hearts 2:0 Rangers bbc.co.uk, 22 November 2014
  96. ↑ Queen of the South 2:0 Rangers bbc.co.uk, 12 December 2014
  97. ↑ Alloa 3:2 Rangers BBC 9 December 2014
  98. ↑ SPFL: Ally McCoist due to meet Rangers board on Wednesday Skysports, 17 December 2014
  99. ↑ Ally McCoist: Rangers manager leaves club & on gardening leave BBC News 21 December 2014
  100. ↑ "Rangers: Stuart McCall appointed manager until summer". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 March 2015. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  101. ↑ "Motherwell 3–0 Rangers" – BBC Sport, 31 May 2015
  102. ↑ Rangers appoint Mark Warburton as manager on three-year contract theguardian.com, 15 June 2015
  103. ↑ "Rangers in Scottish Cup Final". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
  104. ↑ "The Badges of Rangers Football Club". Danbury Mint. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013. The earliest badge featured the celebrated RFC scroll crest believed to have been used since 1872. Then there's the lion rampant and the club motto 'READY', which have appeared on Rangers' badges since 1959. Finally, see the evolution into the current badge, with the famous blue, white and red colours.
  105. ↑ "The Rangers Crest". Rangers FC. Retrieved 21 January 2013. Although the 'RFC' Scroll Crest was omitted in 1959 it made a welcome return in 1968 when it was placed on the club's home jersey for the very first time. It was later added to the shorts a decade later for the start of the 1978–79 season.
  106. ↑ "The Rangers Crest". Gersnet Online. Retrieved 21 January 2013. From 1990 to 1994 'Rangers Football Club' and the 'Ready' motto were placed above and below the Crest respectively. In 1997–98 the Crest was placed in a shield but perhaps the most significant change was before the start of the 2003/04 campaign. Having clinched their 50th League Championship, a year in which Rangers secured a domestic Treble, the Club decided to add five stars above the Scoll Crest, one for every ten titles won.
  107. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rangers". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
  108. ↑ "Rangers Change Kits". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  109. ↑ Devlin, John (3 July 2009). "An alternative to alcohol". True Colours. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have actually sported the Center Parcs logo during the course of two seasons. It was first worn in the 1996–97 Champions League match at Auxerre that the French side won 2–1. Then in 1997–98 a new style Center Parcs logo was worn in the UEFA Cup first round first leg game in Strasbourg where again the 'Gers lost 2–1 (also wearing their change blue shorts)
  110. ↑ "Auxerre 2–2 Rangers". Clive Lindsay (BBC Sport). 23 November 2006.
  111. ↑ "Lyon 0–3 Rangers". Colin Moffat (BBC Sport). 2 October 2007.
  112. ↑ "Diadora in Gers kit deal". Kenny Ross (The Mirror). 8 March 2002.
  113. ↑ "Rangers secure new £6.5m kit deal". The Scotsman. 4 March 2005.
  114. ↑ "Umbro nets Rangers sponsorship deal". Jim Armitage (This Money). 3 March 2005.
  115. ↑ "Rangers Announce New Kit Deal". Rangers.co.uk. 28 February 2013.
  116. ↑ "Rangers Football Club sign kit deal with Puma". BBC News. 28 February 2013.
  117. ↑ "Old Firm are united in £13m shirt deal". Rob Robertson (The Herald). 20 March 1999.
  118. ↑ "Carling to sponsor Old Firm". thegrocer.co.uk. 3 January 2003.
  119. ↑ "Celtic & Rangers sign sponsorship deal with Tennent's". BBC Sport. 3 February 2010.
  120. ↑ "Celtic and Rangers confirm end of joint sponsorship deals after 14 years". STV Sport. 9 January 2013.
  121. ↑ "Blackthorn Deal Announced". Rangers.co.uk. 1 March 2013.
  122. ↑ "Gers Agree Shirt Deal With 32Red". Rangers.co.uk. 14 April 2014.
  123. ↑ "Scottish football". Global Friends of Scotland. Scottish Government. June 2006. Archived from the original on 4 October 2006. Retrieved 24 August 2012. Scotland's contributions to the development of the game were equally impressive in other areas. Glaswegian born architect Archibald Leitch was the pioneering football stadium designer of his day – by the 1920s 16 out of 22 of England's First Division stadiums were Leitch designs. The most famous example of his work still in existence is probably Ibrox. (This would undoubtedly please Leitch, who was a devout Rangers fan.)
  124. ↑ "Rangers consider Ibrox expansion". BBC Sport (BBC). 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The plans, one of three options being considered by the club, could see the stadium in Glasgow completely rebuilt with a new capacity of 70,000. Rangers would retain the Bill Struth main stand, which is designated as a Category B listed building. Ibrox currently holds 51,082 fans, behind Hampden Park and Celtic Park.
  125. ↑ MacDonald, Hugh (26 March 2012). "Working with kids is its own reward for the man in charge at Murray Park". Herald Scotland (Newsquest). Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013. Ally McCoist, the manager, normally leaves Sinclair and his staff to choose the youngsters but sometimes will stipulate who he and the first-team staff want. "That daily exposure is priceless," says Sinclair. "The boys become comfortable with the staff and first-team players. If they were round there [first-team pitches] once every six months, it would be a trial but it is a regular process. [Danny] Wilson, [John] Fleck and Little were all steeped in that."
  126. ↑ Smith, Paul (2012). For Richer, for Poorer: The Murray Years. Random House. ISBN 9781780572826. add quote
  127. ↑ Bobby Sinnet; Thomas Jamieson. "Average Home League Game Attendances". fitbastats. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 14 July 2014. 2013/2014 42,938
  128. ↑ "UK Supporters Clubs". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. There are more than 600 registered supporters clubs with over 30,000 registered members and these continue to grow, in keeping with the vision the club initially had.
  129. ↑ "Global Supporters Clubs". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. It includes representatives from all over the globe – including North America, Australasia and the Middle East – as well as closer to home in the United Kingdom. There are also clubs registered in far-flung locations such as Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Hong Kong and Peru.
  130. ↑ Scott, Les (2008). End to End Stuff. Random House. p. 17. ISBN 9780593060681. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The Record attendance for a friendly match in the United Kingdom is 104,493, who saw Rangers lose 3–2 to Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park on 17 October 1961.
  131. ↑ "Rangers invasion: your views". BBC Manchester (BBC). 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2008. It was always going to put a massive strain on the city. An invasion of up to 200,000 Rangers supporters for the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester swamped the city's pubs and bars and the dedicated fan zones.
  132. ↑ Nisbet, John (27 August 2010). "150,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008". The Independent (The Independent Group). Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. But the chief executive at Rangers, Martin Bain, insists there will be no repeat of the scenes of crowd misbehaviour which marred the club's last visit to Manchester. Some 200,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008 and trouble started when a giant screen failed to work.
  133. ↑ "Rangers fans clash with riot police after Uefa Cup final defeat". Metro (Associated Newspapers). 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. GMP would like to stress that the vast majority of supporters have behaved impeccably and came to Manchester clearly intent on enjoying the carnival atmosphere.
  134. ↑ Carter, Helen; Orr, James (15 May 2008). "Rangers fans clashed with riot police". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. A full inquiry was under way today after Rangers fans clashed with riot police in Manchester last night after their team's defeat by Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Cup final.
  135. ↑ "Rangers fans take long road home". BBC News (BBC). 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. A number of supporters clashed with riot police after a big screen in Manchester broke down. Officers later confirmed 42 people had been arrested.
  136. ↑ "CCTV shows fans chasing police". BBC News (BBC). 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. Police in Manchester have released CCTV images showing up to 200 football fans chasing officers and attacking one of them after the Uefa Cup final.
  137. ↑ Price, Catherine (2010). 101 Places Not to See Before You Die. Harper Collins. pp. 174, 175. ISBN 9780061787768. Retrieved 24 August 2012. On Old Firm weekends, admission rates for local hospitals increase ninefold, and the cumulative total for arrests at Old Firm games is the highest in the world.
  138. ↑ Haggerty, Anthony (18 December 2011). "Old Firm don't need a Messi or Ronaldo to be biggest derby in world, says Ali Russell". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. RANGERS operations chief Ali Russell insists the Old Firm rivalry is the biggest in the world – because a billion fans tune in to watch two teams devoid of world stars.
  139. 1 2 When two tribes go to war www.heraldscotland.com, accessed 30 November 2013
  140. ↑ Lawford, Mark (13 March 2009). "Sportsmail's guide to illogical footballing rivalries". Daily Mail (Daily Mail and General Trust). Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Dons supporters chant 'We hate Rangers more than you' when they play Celtic and a lot of this can be traced back to a challenge made by Neil Simpson on Ian Durrant in 1988 that kept the Rangers midfielder out of the game for nearly three years.
  141. ↑ "Rangers apologise to Aberdeen". The Independent (The Independent Group). 18 November 1998. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2010. RANGERS ISSUED a full public apology to Aberdeen last night for labelling a section of the Pittodrie club's support "scum" in last Saturday's Ibrox matchday programme. Stewart Milne, the Aberdeen chairman, protested to Bob Brannan, the Rangers chief executive, yesterday about the anonymous article which also branded the Dons' team as "under-achievers and money-grabbers"
  142. ↑ "A history of bad blood". BBC Sport (BBC). 19 January 2002. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2010. The catalyst for the recent venom between the two sets of supporters was the 1988 incident involving Neil Simpson and Iain Durrant.
  143. ↑ Harris, Paul (15 May 2008). "A football match? Manchester during the Uefa Cup Final felt more like a war zone". Daily Mail (DAily Mail and General Trust). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. In the heat of the night: A masked thug in the middle of other Rangers fans confronts a police cordon in Manchester city centre
  144. ↑ Smith, Andrew (14 October 2012). "Rangers v Queen's Park: Renewing an age-old rivalry". The Scotsman (Johnston Press). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012. IT HAS been billed by the Ibrox club as the "original Glasgow derby". It might equally be argued that their hosting of Queen's Park in the Third Division on Saturday is the newest Glasgow derby.
    ...
    Although the teams last met in a League Cup tie 21 years ago and regularly jousted in the Glasgow Cup in the two decades before that, there has not been a league meeting since 1958, the year Queen's Park last played top-flight football. The fact the confrontation has returned to the calendar in a wholly different form was best encapsulated by Rangers ambassador Sandy Jardine.
  145. ↑ Fisher, Stewart (14 October 2012). "Old rivalry renewed". Herald Scotland (Newsquest). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012. Queen's Park and Rangers, two teams that first met competitively in a Scottish Cup tie in March 1879, some nine years before Celtic were formed, meet in an Irn-Bru Third division encounter at Ibrox.
  146. ↑ Forsyth, Roddy (19 October 2012). "Rangers and Queen's Park ready to resurrect world's oldest derby". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013. The Old Firm collision it most certainly is not – to the relief of Glasgow's constabulary and A&E departments – but Saturday afternoon's visit of Queen's Park to Ibrox will draw the UK's second biggest crowd and resurrect a fixture that first appeared in the records in 1875 when the pair played a charity match in aid of fire victims.
  147. ↑ Armstrong, Gary; Giulianotti, Richard (2001). Fear and loathing in world football. Berg Publishers. pp. 25, 26. ISBN 1 85973 463 4. Retrieved 15 August 2012. Primrose with associated with the most virulent anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiment, and was openly allied with the orange order.
  148. 1 2 Murray, William J. (2000). The Old Firm: Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland. John Donald Publishers. pp. 60,64,65,189. ISBN 9780859765428.
  149. ↑ Giulianotti, Richard (1999). Football: A Sociology of the Global Game. John Wiley & Sons. p. 18. ISBN 9780745617695. Historically Rangers have maintained a staunch Protestant and anti-Catholic tradition which includes a ban on signing Catholic players.
  150. ↑ Gallagher, Tom (1987). Glasgow, the Uneasy Peace: Religious Tension in Modern Scotland, 1819–1914. Manchester University Press ND. p. 300. ISBN 9780719023965. Retrieved 18 August 2012. The conflict in Ireland failed to be the catalyst which swept the religious cobwebs from the Ibrox-based club's terraces and boardroom. One of its managers even had no qualms in the 1970s about urging his players to roar out the loyalist battle-cry 'No Surrender' as they ran up the tunnel at Ibrox.
  151. ↑ Souness, Graeme; Gallacher, Ken (1989). Graeme Souness: A Manager's Diary. Mainstream Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 9781851582242. For years Rangers have been pilloried for what the majority of people saw as discrimination against one section of the population. Now we have shown that this unwritten policy at Ibrox is over. It's finished. Done with.
  152. ↑ Laing, Allan (11 July 1989). "Ibrox lands double coup with Johnston". Herald Scotland. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers yesterday paraded their latest, and most controversial signing, Maurice Johnston, in the process demolishing any remaining they were sectarian, and upstaging their arch-rivals Celtic.
  153. ↑ Kuper, Simon (2006). Football Against the Enemy. Orion. ISBN 0-7528-4877-1.
  154. ↑ Kuper, Simon (18 March 2012). "Decline and fall of the Old Firm". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. In the past 15 years, both clubs have tried to stamp out bigotry, largely for pragmatic reasons. The IRA guff puts off sponsors and when the market in foreign footballers opened up in the 1990s, the old prohibition on signing Catholics became irksome for Rangers. Many of the foreign players who have since come to Glasgow must have struggled to remember whether they were playing for the Protestant team or the Catholic one.
  155. ↑ "Former Old Firm Italians give their take on derby clash". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). 7 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. I've been Rangers' first Catholic captain
  156. ↑ Rumsby, Ben (18 February 2009). "SPL Remains tight-lipped over report on Parkhead chanting". The Scotsman (Johnston Press). Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. THE Scottish Premier League has confirmed it has received the match delegate's report from the Old Firm derby but refused to divulge if alleged sectarian chanting from Rangers fans was mentioned within it.
  157. ↑ "Rangers to root out racists". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). 10 March 2003. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. Rangers chairman John McClelland has vowed to root out the racist fans who booed whenever Celtic's Bobo Balde and Momo Sylla had possession during his club's Old Firm derby defeat on Saturday.
  158. ↑ Wright, Angus (13 November 2006). "SFA praised for stance on bigotry". The Scotsman (Johnston Press). Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. Education and prevention is what we are really looking at and Scotland is a great example of somewhere where that has done a tremendous amount in practically eradicating the worst features of discrimination.
  159. ↑ Spiers, Graham (21 September 2007). "Uefa praises Rangers for action on bigotry". The Times (News Corporation). Retrieved 22 March 2009.(subscription required)
  160. ↑ Sekar, Satish (20 February 2009). "No Surrender to Bigotry". Empower-Sport British Supplement. Empower-Sport. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Both UEFA and FIFA hold Rangers up as a positive example of a club determined to tackle the problem that threatens its future. And the SFA joins in that praise. "On the sectarianism front Rangers have tried to develop a policy across the Protestant/Catholic divide," says Mr Mitchell. "They have imposed a large number of life bans on supporters who have been identified and found guilty of sectarian behaviour." And Rangers is not alone in taking such action. "Generally speaking it is by the clubs," he says. "If there is a criminal prosecution that has an effect as well, but the clubs themselves have taken that action off their own back, because they have the right to decide who can come into the stadium or not."
  161. ↑ SPFL may take action against Rangers over sectarian singing www.heraldscotland.com, 29 December 2015
  162. ↑ Rangers fan jailed for three months for sectarian chanting at football ground www.dailyrecord.co.uk, 26 October 2012
  163. ↑ "Findlay songs inquiry launched". BBC News (BBC). 9 June 1999. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. The Faculty of Advocates is to investigate complaints against the leading Scottish lawyer Donald Findlay QC after he was captured on camera singing sectarian songs.
  164. ↑ O'Sullivan, Jack (4 June 1999). "I'm Catholic in a football sense". The Independent (Independent Print limited). Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Findlay, Scotland's leading criminal lawyer, is a Protestant and proud of it. But he was embarrassed to be caught on video singing sectarian songs. They included "The Billy Boys", a verse of which goes: "We're up to our knees in Fenian blood, Surrender or you die, We are the Billy Boys."
  165. ↑ Humphrys, John (2 July 2002). "On the Ropes – Donald Findlay QC" (Press release). BBC Press Office. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Donald Findlay QC tells John Humphrys about the effect singing sectarian, anti-Catholic songs at a party for Glasgow Rangers had on his life, and how he, at one stage, even contemplated suicide.
  166. ↑ "Rangers appeal upheld". UEFA.com. UEFA. 25 May 2006. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. UEFA appealed against the decision on 12 April by the Control and Disciplinary Body to find Rangers not guilty of alleged discriminatory chants by the club's supporters at both legs of the tie, on 22 February at Ibrox and 7 March at El Madrigal. Rangers have been fined €19,500 and severely warned about their responsibility for any future misconduct by their fans in relation to sectarian and discriminatory behaviour.
  167. ↑ "Uefa fine for Rangers and Osasuna". BBC Sport (BBC). 3 May 2007. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have been fined £8,280 by Uefa for the behaviour of their fans during their match against Osasuna – but the Spanish club must pay £31,000.
  168. ↑ "Rangers to contest Uefa sectarian singing charge". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers are to face a Uefa disciplinary hearing over allegations of sectarian singing during last month's Europa Lague match away to PSV Eindhoven. The club's chief executive Martin Bain says they are "utterly dismayed" by the decision and that they will defend the club's position "vigorously".
  169. ↑ "Uefa fines Rangers and bans fans for one away game". BBC Sport (BBC). 28 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2011. Uefa has fined Rangers 40,000 euros (£35,652) and banned its fans from the next away European game for sectarian singing in a match at PSV Eindhoven.
  170. ↑ Soldiers accused of sectarian singing at Ibrox The Scotsman, accessed 2 December 2013
  171. ↑ Sectarian chants provoke SPFL review of spectator misconduct bbc.co.uk, 28 February 2015
  172. ↑ Three Rangers fans guilty of sectarian behaviour the scotsman, 22 April 2015
  173. ↑ Teather, David (31 March 2000). "Rangers to float as it chases global glory". The Guardian (Guardian Media Group). Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012. Rangers football club, on track for its 49th Scottish premier league title, announced plans yesterday to float the business on the stock market and disclosed that talks are under way with a number of potential media investors.
  174. ↑ Currie, David; Lamont, Alasdair; McLaughlin, Chris (6 May 2011). "Craig Whyte completes takeover of Rangers for £1". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Craig Whyte has completed his takeover of Rangers for £1 but amid continuing concerns by board members about his ability to invest sufficient funds.
  175. ↑ "Rangers FC signals intent to go into administration". BBC News (BBC). 13 February 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers Football Club has confirmed it has filed legal papers at the Court of Session to appoint administrators.
  176. ↑ "Rangers Football Club enters administration". BBC News (BBC). 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. HMRC lodged its petition over alleged non-payment of about £9m in PAYE and VAT following Craig Whyte's takeover.
  177. ↑ "Rangers in crisis: Administration was sparked by £9million bill for unpaid VAT and PAYE". Daily Record (Trinity Mirror). 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. RANGERS went into administration today – as it was revealed they had failed to pay £9million in VAT and PAYE from the current financial year.
  178. ↑ "Rangers' estimated debts could top £134m". BBC News (BBC). 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012. Rangers' administrators estimate that the club's total debts could top £134m.
  179. ↑ Grahams, Ewing (21 November 2012). "Rangers win 'Big Tax Case' appeal over use of Employee Benefit Trusts". The Daily Telegraph (Telegraph Media Group). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  180. ↑ "ANONYMISED FORM OF THE DECISION" (pdf). Finance and Tax Tribunals. UK Government. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012.
  181. ↑ Rogers, Philip. "The Rangers Case – Upper Tribunal Decision". www.pkfcooperparry.com. PKF Cooper Parry. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  182. ↑ "HMRC wins Rangers tax case appeal". BBC News. BBC. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
  183. ↑ "Rangers in crisis: Police asked to probe Craig Whyte takeover". BBC News (BBC). 25 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2004. Retrieved 24 August 2012. A criminal investigation is to be launched into Craig Whyte's takeover of Rangers Football Club in May last year.
  184. ↑ The dead end: Liquidation for Rangers after HMRC refuse CVA www.dailymail.co.uk, 13 June 2012
  185. ↑ Farrell, Mike (12 June 2012). "Rangers liquidation now inevitable after CVA bid rejected by HMRC". STV Glasgow (STV). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. Mr Green has previously stated that should the CVA fail his offer goes into an "automatic mode" to carry out a 'newco' switch at the Ibrox club, where all assets are sold to a new business entity for £5.5m and Rangers FC Plc, incorporated in 1899, is liquidated.
  186. ↑ "Rangers tax case leaks: Sir David Murray makes 'criminal complaint'". STV Glasgow (STV). 27 November 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. In June administrators Duff and Phelps confirmed it had failed to secure a route out of the insolvency event and the club's assets were sold to a newco owned by a Charles Green-led consortium in a £5.5m deal. The oldco, now RFC 2012 Plc, formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc, has been placed into liquidation.
  187. ↑ "Rangers chief Charles Green criticises Tannadice ticket plan". BBC Sport Scotland (BBC). 23 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. And Green, who bought Rangers' assets after the company that formerly ran the club could not be saved from liquidation, believes the decision to sell tickets directly to visiting fans could spark trouble at the match.
  188. ↑ McLaughlin, Chris (29 January 2013). "SPL independent commission into Rangers player payments begins". BBC Scotland (BBC). Retrieved 29 January 2013. The three-man commission will decide if the company that formerly ran Rangers broke Scottish Premier League rules.
    ...
    The commission will study the financial arrangements made by the Employee Benefit Trust scheme run by former Rangers owner Sir David Murray's company, Murray International Holdings.
    ...
    The probe was launched before the company that ran Rangers – The Rangers Football Club Plc – was consigned to liquidation.
    The consortium now running the club, led by chief executive Charles Green, has refused to recognise or co-operate with the investigation.
  189. ↑ Farrell, Mike (12 June 2012). "Rangers in Crisis". STV News (STV). Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The Ibrox club confirmed its planned company voluntary arrangement (CVA) escape from administration would now fail as the tax authorities revealed they felt it was in the "public interest" to liquidate Rangers FC plc, incorporated in 1899.
  190. ↑ "Rangers liquidated as CVA formally rejected". The Scotsman (Johnston Press). 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. GLASGOW RANGERS were today forced into liquidation after major creditor Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) formally rejected an offer of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) from the club's administrators.
  191. ↑ "Little black and white as Green faces closer scrutiny". The Herald. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  192. ↑ "Commission Decision" (PDF). SPL. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  193. ↑ Marjoribanks, Brain (13 July 2012). "Get out of here! Rangers thrown down to third division after clubs vote against stricken club". Daily Mail (Daily Mail and General Trust). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012. On a historic day for the national game, 25 out of the 30 lower-league clubs ruled that the fallen Ibrox giants should start life in the bottom tier and not in the First Division.
  194. ↑ "Rangers: Newcastle's Mike Ashley ready to buy Ibrox share". BBC Sport (BBC). 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. Businessman Charles Green led a consortium to buy Rangers' assets for £5.5m and reformed the club as a new company. But the 'newco' did not get the required votes for re-admittance to the SPL and instead, Rangers were relaunched in Division Three, drawing 2–2 with Peterhead in their opening game.
  195. ↑ "Raith & Clyde criticise Rangers newco Division One plan". BBC Sport (BBC). 30 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. Raith Rovers and Clyde insist plans to place the Rangers newco in Scottish Division One should not be forced upon Scottish Football League clubs.
  196. ↑ "Scottish FA issues Rangers update". scottishfa.co.uk. SFA. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  197. ↑ "Charles Green gives SFA details for membership bid". BBC Sport (BBC). 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. "We have received an information pack from Sevco Scotland relevant to their membership application," said the SFA.
  198. ↑ Rangers International Football Club plc londonstockexchange.com, accessed 27 January 2013
  199. ↑ "Introducing The Foundation". Rangerscharity.org.uk. Rangers Charity Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012. Being a champion of charitable giving is our goal, and since our creation in 2002 we have donated over £1 million in cash awards and over £1,550,000 of in-kind support to hundreds of groups and individuals, making a combined total of over £2,500,000
  200. ↑ Farrell, Mike (6 March 2012). "Inquiry into Rangers charity match against AC Milan". STV Glasgow (STV). Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. The charity, which has donated more than £2.3m to various causes since it was set up in 2002, has reduced the amount it will take from the game to 10%, meaning the majority of the money raised will go to the club, which is currently in administration.
  201. ↑ Romanos, Joseph (2010). Great Sporting Rivals (Large Print 16pt). ReadHowYouWant.com. p. 139. ISBN 9781458779663. Retrieved 25 December 2012.
  202. 1 2 3 Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (2005). Rangers: The Complete Record. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-481-7.
  203. ↑ Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (1990). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. The Crowood Press. ISBN 1-85223-404-0.
  204. ↑ Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (1998). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. The Crowood Press. ISBN 0-600-59495-5.
  205. 1 2 3 4 5 Potter, David; Jones, Phil (2011). The Encyclopedia of Scottish Football. Pitch Publishing. pp. 95–103, 294. ISBN 1908051108.
  206. 1 2 3 4 5 Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack (4 August 2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–12. Headline. pp. 758–759. ISBN 0755362322.
  207. ↑ Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (1990). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. The Crowood Press. ISBN 1-85223-404-0.
  208. 1 2 3 4 Rangers Club Records
  209. ↑ "Football titles world league: Rangers top, but who is most dominant?". The Independent (Independent Print Ltd). 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  210. ↑ "Number of Treble Wins". rssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
  211. ↑ "Rangers F.C". Last F.M. CBS Interactive. 21 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. Total number of recognised trophies – 115 *WORLD RECORD*
  212. ↑ John Greig
  213. 1 2 3 Ally McCoist
  214. ↑ Scottish Football Association
  215. ↑ "First Team". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  216. ↑ "Gers Dedicate No 12 Jersey To Fans". Rangers F.C. rangers.co.uk. 3 May 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  217. ↑ "King group suspends trio from football board". BBC. BBC Sport. 11 March 2015.
  218. ↑ "Coaching Staff Confirmed". Rangers.co.uk. Rangers FC. March 2015. Retrieved March 2015.
  219. ↑ "McCoist confirmed as Smith's successor". BBC Sport (BBC). 22 February 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have confirmed for the first time that Ally McCoist will take over as manager when Walter Smith steps down at the end of the season.
  220. ↑ Taylor, Julian (4 January 2007). "Rangers reel as Le Guen departs". BBC Sport (BBC). Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. The club's reserve-team coach, Ian Durrant, will take charge of training on Friday ahead of the club's next match, a Tennent's Scottish Cup tie, against Dunfermline Athletic on Sunday.
  221. ↑ http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/history/club-history/item/328-a-classic-team
  222. ↑ "UEFA Rankings – Club coefficients 2015/16". UEFA.com. UEFA. 20 May 2008.
  223. ↑ "Rangers Greatest 11". The official Rangers FC Website. 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  224. ↑ Football: Greig is voted greatest ever Ranger! The Free Library, 1999
  225. ↑ Hall of Fame Scottish Football Museum
  226. ↑ "International Roll of Honour". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  227. ↑ Scottish Sports Hall of Fame Scottish Sports
  228. ↑ Sponsors Rangers FC

Further reading

  • General Books LLC (2010). Scottish Football Clubs Statistics. General Books LLC. ISBN 9781156866054. 
  • Kuper, Simon. Football Against the Enemy. Orion. ISBN 0-7528-4877-1. 
  • Giulianotti, Richard (1999). Football: A Sociology of the Global Game. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780745617695. 
  • Armstrong, Gary; Giulianotti, Richard (2001). Fear and loathing in world football. Berg Publishers. ISBN 1 85973 463 4. Retrieved 15 August 2012. 
  • Potter, David; Jones, Phil (2011). The Encyclopedia of Scottish Football. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 1908051108. 
  • Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack (4 August 2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–12. Headline. ISBN 0755362322. 
  • Romanos, Joseph (2010). Great Sporting Rivals (Large Print 16pt). ReadHowYouWant.com. ISBN 9781458779663. Retrieved 25 December 2012. 
  • Scott, Les (2008). End to End Stuff. Random House. ISBN 9780593060681. Retrieved 24 August 2012. 
  • Barnes, Stuart (2010). News of the World Football Annual 2006/2007. HarperCollins UK. ISBN 9780007234233. Retrieved 20 December 2012. 
  • Gallagher, Tom (1987). Glasgow, the Uneasy Peace: Religious Tension in Modern Scotland, 1819–1914. Manchester University Press ND. ISBN 9780719023965. Retrieved 18 August 2012. 
  • Souness, Graeme; Gallacher, Ken (1989). Graeme Souness: A Manager's Diary. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 9781851582242. 
  • Murray, William J. (2000). The Old Firm: Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland. John Donald Publishers. ISBN 9780859765428. 
  • Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (1990). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. Crowood Press. ISBN 1-85223-404-0. 
  • Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (1998). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. Crowood Press. ISBN 0-600-59495-5. 
  • Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (2005). Rangers: The Complete Record. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-481-7. 
  • Smith, Paul (2012). For Richer, for Poorer: The Murray Years. Random House. ISBN 9781780572826. Retrieved 4 January 2013. 

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