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Rangers F.C.
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Rangers Football Club is a professional football club in Glasgow, Scotland. The team competes in the Scottish Premiership, the top division of Scottish football. The club is often referred to as Glasgow Rangers, though this has never been its official name.[3] The fourth-oldest football club in Scotland, Rangers was founded by four teenage boys as they walked through West End Park (now Kelvingrove Park), in March 1872, where they discussed the idea of forming a football club, and played its first match against the now-defunct Callander at the Fleshers' Haugh area of Glasgow Green in May of the same year. Rangers' home ground, Ibrox Stadium, designed by stadium architect Archibald Leitch and opened in 1929, is a Category B listed building and Scotland's third-largest football stadium. The club has always played in royal blue shirts.[4]
Key Information
Rangers have won the Scottish League title a joint-record 55 times, the Scottish Cup 34 times, the Scottish League Cup a record 28 times and the domestic treble on seven occasions. Rangers won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 after being losing finalists twice, in 1961 (the first British club to reach a UEFA tournament final) and 1967. The club has lost a further two European finals; they reached the UEFA Cup final in 2008 and a fourth runners-up finish in European competition came in the UEFA Europa League final in 2022. By number of trophies won, Rangers are one of the most successful clubs in the world.
Rangers has a long-standing rivalry with Celtic, the two Glasgow clubs being collectively known as the Old Firm, which is considered one of the world's biggest football derbies.[5][6] Both clubs have historically been emblematic of sectarianism in Glasgow, with Rangers and its fanbase being associated with Protestantism and Irish unionism, with Rangers having historically had a policy until the 1970s of refusing to sign Catholic players. With more than 600 Rangers supporters' clubs in 35 countries worldwide, Rangers has one of the largest fanbases in world football.[7] The club holds the record for the largest travelling support in football history, when an estimated 200,000 Rangers fans arrived in the city of Manchester for the 2008 UEFA Cup final.[8][9] Rangers also took the largest-ever travelling support abroad when an estimated 100,000 fans arrived in Seville for the 2022 UEFA Europa League final.[10]
One of the eleven original members of the Scottish Football League,[11] Rangers remained in the top division continuously until a financial crisis during the 2011–12 season saw the club enter administration[12] and the original company liquidated[13][14] with the assets moved to a new company structure.[15] The club was accepted as an associate member of the Scottish Football League and placed in the fourth tier of the Scottish football league system in time for the start of the following season. Rangers then won three promotions in four years, returning to the Premiership for the start of the 2016–17 season; in their climb through the Scottish lower divisions, Rangers became the only club in Scotland to have won every domestic trophy. In 2020–21 Rangers won their first Scottish championship in ten years, a then world record fifty-fifth league win which also stopped rivals Celtic's quest to break the domestic record of ten titles in a row.
History
[edit]Formation, early years and William Wilton
[edit]
Rangers were formed by four founders – brothers Moses McNeil and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath – who met at West End Park (now known as Kelvingrove Park) in March 1872. Rangers' first match, in May that year, was a goalless friendly draw with Callander on Glasgow Green. David Hill was also a founder member.[16] In 1873, the club held its first annual meeting and staff were elected.[17][18] By 1876, Rangers had its first international player, with Moses McNeil representing Scotland in a match against Wales.[19] In 1877, Rangers reached the 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 Charity Cup the following year against Vale of Leven 2–1, their first major cup.[20][21] The first-ever match against Celtic took place in 1888, the year after the East End club's establishment. Rangers lost 5–2 in a friendly to an opposition composed largely of guest players from Hibernian.[22][23][24]

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.[18][20][25][26] During William Wilton's time as match secretary and then team manager, Rangers won ten league titles.
Bill Struth and Scot Symon
[edit]Taking over as manager after William Wilton's death 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.[27] 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, two League Cups, seven war-time championships, 19 Glasgow Cups, 17 Glasgow Merchant Charity Cups and other war-time honours.[17][28] During the wartime regional league setup (in which the team won all seven seasons, along with official championships either side of the conflict in 1938–39 and 1946–47), Rangers achieved their highest score against Celtic with an 8–1 win in the Southern Football League.[29][30][31]
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.[32][33] Rangers also lost by their biggest Old Firm margin of 7–1.[29]
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.[34] 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.[35] Rangers lost again in the final of the same competition in 1967, by a single goal, after extra time, to Bayern Munich.[26]
Ibrox disaster, European success and Jock Wallace
[edit]
The Ibrox disaster occurred on 2 January 1971 when large-scale crushing on a stairway exit at the culmination of an 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.[36] 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.[37]
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 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.[38] Rangers were banned from Europe for two years for the behaviour of their fans, later reduced on appeal to one year.[39]
The following season saw the club compete in the first ever European Super Cup, although the European ban saw it officially recognised as Rangers centenary anniversary match. The side played the European Cup holders Ajax, who had first proposed the idea, in January 1973. The Dutch side proved too strong and recorded a 6–3 aggregate win, with Rangers losing 1–3 at Ibrox and 3–2 in Amsterdam.[40]
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.[41] In 1974–75, Wallace led Rangers to their first League championship triumph in 11 years, before winning the treble the following season, repeating the historic feat in 1977–78.[42]
John Greig served as manager for five 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 Wallace returning in 1983. Wallace was unable to repeat the success of his first period in charge with a win ratio of less than 50%, and was himself replaced by Graeme Souness in 1986.
Graeme Souness, Walter Smith and 9-in-a-row
[edit]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.[43]
Notable seasons included 1990–91, which culminated in a last-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.[44]
Rangers' ninth consecutive championship title was secured at Tannadice Park on 7 May 1997, with a single-goal victory over Dundee United.[45]
Dick Advocaat, Alex McLeish and Paul Le Guen
[edit]In 1998, Dutchman Dick Advocaat became the club's first foreign manager.[46] 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.[47] A second-consecutive league title was won by a record 21-point margin,[48] 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.[49][50]
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,[51] European success beyond the Champions League group stages again proved elusive.[52] After a slow start to the following season, Advocaat resigned from his post in December 2001 and was replaced by Alex McLeish.[53]
In his first full campaign, the 2002–03 season saw McLeish become the sixth Rangers manager to deliver a domestic treble.[54] The championship was won on goal difference during a dramatic final day 6–1 triumph over Dunfermline Athletic at Ibrox,[55] securing Rangers' 50th league title, the first club in the world to achieve the feat.[56] Major expenditure sanctioned by chairman David Murray had burdened Rangers with considerable debts in the region of £52m.[57] 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.[58]
The 2004–05 season restored success to Rangers, who were boosted by signings such as Jean-Alain Boumsong,[59] Dado Pršo[60] and Nacho Novo,[61] along with the return of former captain Barry Ferguson after a spell in England with Blackburn Rovers.[62] 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.[63][64]

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,[65] the club eventually exiting on the away goals rule to Villarreal.[66] On 9 February 2006, it was announced by David Murray that McLeish would be standing down as manager at the end of that season.[67]
Frenchman Paul Le Guen replaced Alex McLeish as manager after season 2005–06.[68] The season started with an early exit from the League Cup[69] whilst Celtic built a commanding lead at the top of the table.[70] 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.[71] However, amid claims of disharmony between the manager and captain Barry Ferguson,[72] it was announced on 4 January 2007 that Le Guen had left Rangers by mutual consent.[73]
Walter Smith's return and Ally McCoist
[edit]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.[74]

The following season Rangers contested the UEFA Cup after dropping into the competition from the Champions League.[75] The club reached the final, defeating Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina along the way.[76] The final in Manchester against Zenit Saint Petersburg, who were managed by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat,[77] ended in a 2–0 defeat.[78] An estimated 200,000 supporters travelled to Manchester for the event,[79] and the 2008 UEFA Cup final riots occurred.
The 2008–09 season saw Rangers recover from an early exit from the UEFA Champions League to FBK Kaunas of Lithuania.[80] The club secured its 52nd league championship on the last day of the season with a 3–0 victory at Dundee United.[81] Rangers also successfully defended the Scottish Cup, defeating Falkirk 1–0 in the final.[82]
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 the victory.[83] 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.[84] 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.[85]
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 in the Champions League third round qualifying match,[86] and to Slovenian side Maribor in a Europa League qualifying match.[87] 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[88] and the Scottish Cup by Dundee United at Ibrox.[89] Rangers were placed into administration on 14 February 2012 resulting in the club being deducted 10 points as per SPL rules.[90] 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.[91]
Insolvency and the lower leagues
[edit]On 1 June 2012, after four months in administration, a failure to reach a CVA agreement with creditors led to The Rangers Football Club plc (since renamed RFC 2012 plc)[92] entering the process of liquidation.[93] The administrators completed a sale of the business and assets to a new company, Sevco Scotland Ltd (which later renamed itself The Rangers Football Club Ltd), though most first-team players refused to transfer across.[94][95] The new company failed to secure the transfer of Rangers' previous place in the Scottish Premier League,[96] but were later accepted into the Scottish Football League. Rangers were awarded associate membership and placed in the lowest division, the Third, rather than the First Division as the SPL and SFA had sought.[97] 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.[98]
With most key Rangers players having refused to transfer to the new company, a very different Rangers team lined up for the first league match in the Third Division though it 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.[99][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 in the country.[101] Rangers were defeated in the third round of the Scottish Challenge Cup by Queen of the South at Ibrox,[102] in the quarter-finals of the Scottish League Cup at home to Inverness Caledonian Thistle[103] and in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup by Dundee United.[104] Rangers beat their own new record against Queens Park with an attendance of 49,463[105] and again against Stirling Albion with an attendance of 49,913.[106] 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, the 2013–14 season 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.[107] Rangers also reached the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup, in which they lost to Raith Rovers[108] 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[109][110] and Hearts[111][112] and also losing away to Queen of the South[113] 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.[114] Amid mounting criticism,[115] 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.[116] 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 former player Stuart McCall as their third manager of the season for the remaining fixtures.[117] 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.[118]
Warburton, Premiership return, Caixinha and Murty
[edit]In June 2015, it was announced that Mark Warburton had been appointed as manager on a three-year deal.[119] Rangers went on to win the 2015–16 Scottish Championship and automatic 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,[120] before losing to Hibernian in the final.[121] After a poor first half of the 2016–17 season, Mark Warburton and David Weir left Rangers on 10 February 2017, and Graeme Murty was placed in caretaker control of the Rangers first team.[122][123] Pedro Caixinha eventually took over as permanent manager.
Caixinha's first full season started with Rangers suffering one of the worst results in their history. After winning 1–0 at Ibrox, Rangers lost 2–0 to Luxembourg minnows Progrès Niederkorn, resulting in Rangers being knocked out 2–1 on aggregate in the first qualifying round of the 2017–18 Europa League. Progrès had never before won a tie and had only ever scored once before in European competition.[124] After that disappointing start to the season the form did not improve, with notable results including a 2–0 reverse to Celtic at home in the league[125] and defeat to Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup semi-final by the same scoreline.[126] On 26 October, a day after a 95th-minute equaliser at Ibrox by last-placed Kilmarnock saw Rangers draw 1–1, Caixinha was sacked and Graeme Murty took over as caretaker manager again. The Portuguese manager's reign was described as "a desperate mess from start to finish".[127]
In late December, after a search for a more experienced manager proved unsuccessful, including a failed attempt to appoint Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes, Murty (who had won back-to-back games over Aberdeen[128][129] and also defeated Hibernian away from home[130] during his interim spell) was appointed to the role until the end of the season.[131] On 1 May 2018, Murty's second spell in charge ended prematurely when he was sacked as manager following a 5–0 defeat to Celtic which resulted in Celtic winning their 7th consecutive league title.[132] Rangers again ended the season in 3rd place, behind Celtic and Aberdeen for the second year in a row.[133]
The Gerrard era
[edit]On 4 May 2018, former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard was confirmed as the new manager of Rangers on a four-year contract.[134] Gerrard's era started successfully with Rangers remaining unbeaten in their first 12 games, clinching a place in the UEFA Europa League group stage in the process.[135] However Rangers were then defeated by Celtic in the first Old Firm match of the season,[136] and the following month were eliminated from the League Cup by Aberdeen.[137] On 29 December, Rangers defeated Celtic at Ibrox to inflict Brendan Rodgers' first defeat in 13 Old Firm games; Rangers first win over Celtic since a Scottish Cup victory in April 2016 and their first league win over Celtic since March 2012.[138] Aberdeen knocked Rangers out of a cup for the second time in the season after securing a 2–0 victory in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox on 12 March 2019.[139]
The 2019–20 season began with Rangers again qualifying for the UEFA Europa League group stage before losing 2–0 to Celtic at Ibrox in the first Old Firm match of the season on 1 September. The following day, the club signed Ryan Kent from Liverpool for £7 million. Rangers reached the final of the League Cup, but despite a dominant performance, were beaten 1–0 by Celtic.[140] On 12 December, Rangers progressed to the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 as group runners-up after a 1–1 draw with Young Boys which secured European football beyond Christmas for the first time since the 2010–11 season.[141] On 29 December, Rangers beat Celtic 2–1 at Celtic Park, their first win at their arch rival's stadium since October 2010.[142] However a slump in form thereafter, including losing to Hearts in the Scottish Cup and Hamilton in the league within five days, left Rangers 13 points adrift of Celtic a week into March.[143] However, all professional football in Scotland was suspended later that month due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[144][145] On 18 May 2020, the SPFL officially ended the season, and Celtic were awarded the league title which was determined by points per game.[146]
On 7 March 2021, Rangers won the league title for the first time in ten years,[147] going on to end the league campaign undefeated, with a club record 102 points.[148]
Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Europa League Final, Michael Beale return and Philippe Clement
[edit]Midway through the 2021–22 season, Steven Gerrard left Rangers for Aston Villa, and was replaced by former Rangers midfielder Giovanni van Bronckhorst on 11 November 2021. He led Rangers to their first European final in fourteen years, beating Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Braga and RB Leipzig on the way to facing Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2022 UEFA Europa League Final. He also took the club to their first Scottish Cup final in six years, in which they beat Hearts.[149]
In the 2022–23 season, Rangers qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time since the 2010–11 season. They went on to lose all six group matches against Napoli, Liverpool and Ajax with only two goals scored and a −20 goal difference overall, setting the worst performance in a Champions League group stage, surpassing Dinamo Zagreb's −19 goal difference in the 2011–12 season.[150] Giovanni van Bronckhorst was sacked on 21 November 2022, after also falling nine points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.[151] Michael Beale, a coach under previous manager Steven Gerrard, succeeded van Bronckhorst on 28 November 2022.[152] After a winning start, Beale had turned around results quickly. However, they lost out in both cup competitions against Celtic and finished the 2022–23 season seven points behind their rivals. After a summer rebuild, Rangers lost on the opening day of the 2023–24 season to Kilmarnock; their hopes of qualifying for that seasons Champions League was also crushed after losing to PSV Eindhoven. Beale was sacked as manager on 1 October 2023, the defeat to Aberdeen at Ibrox the culmination of a very poor run of results.
Philippe Clement was appointed manager on 15 October 2023, Rangers' sixth permanent manager in ten years, with Steven Davis being the interim manager prior to Clement's appointment. The club won their 28th League Cup title, and their first in twelve years.[153] Rangers finished runners up to Celtic in the league and the Scottish Cup. After being defeated by Dynamo Kyiv in the 2024–25 Champions League Third Qualifying Round, Rangers entered the Europa League, where they placed eighth in the new format, placing them directly in the Round of 16.[154] Clement was sacked as manager on 23 February 2025.[155]
2025 takeover, Russell Martin and Danny Röhl
[edit]On 30 May 2025, Rangers announced that a consortium headed by US businessman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, had purchased 51% of shares to compete a multi-million pound takeover of the club.[156] Russell Martin was appointed head coach in June 2025 on a three-year deal. Following a string of poor results, including one league win in seven games, Martin was sacked after a 1–1 draw against Falkirk just 123 days after becoming head coach, making him the shortest serving manager in Rangers' history.[157][158][159]
Danny Röhl was appointed Martin's successor on 20 October 2025.[160]
Crest and colours
[edit]Crest
[edit]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 slightly in the early 1990s and then once more in 2020 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. In 1968 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.[161][162] In 2021 the club unveiled a 150th anniversary crest that was to be used during the 2021–22 season.[163]
-
The current lion rampant club crest. Never appeared on the shirt.
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.[164][165]
- Kit crest history
-
Scroll crest, appeared on the chest of the Rangers shirt since 1968
-
Scroll crest version with banner and 'Ready' motto, worn on shirts between 1990 and 1995
-
Scroll crest with five stars, worn on shirts between 2003 and 2021
Colours
[edit]The club colours of Rangers 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 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.[165]
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.[166] Orange and blue change strips, first seen in 1993–94,[166] worn once in 2002–03[167] and reintroduced in 2018–19[167] and 2022–23,[168] have caused controversy because the colours were seen as referencing the Orange Order.[167]
| Selection of Rangers kits through history[165] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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. |
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 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. | |
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors
[edit]Since 1978, when Rangers signed a deal with Umbro, they have had a specific kit manufacturer and since 1984 have had a kit sponsor. The following tables detail Rangers' shirt sponsors and kit suppliers by year:
| Kit suppliers[165] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Period | Supplier | |
| 1978–1990 | Umbro | |
| 1990–1992 | Admiral | |
| 1992–1997 | Adidas | |
| 1997–2002 | Nike | |
| 2002–2005 | Diadora[169] | |
| 2005–2013 | Umbro[170] | |
| 2013–2018 | Puma[171][172] | |
| 2018–2020 | Hummel[173] | |
| 2020–2025 | Castore[174] | |
| 2025–present | Umbro[175] | |
| Front of shirt sponsors[165] | |
|---|---|
| Period | Sponsor |
| 1984–1987 | CR Smith[176][177] |
| 1987–1999 | McEwan's Lager[176][177] |
| 1999–2003 | NTL[178][176] |
| 2003–2010 | Carling[179] |
| 2010–2013 | Tennent's[180][181] |
| 2013–2014 | Blackthorn[182] |
| 2014–2023 | 32Red[183][184] |
| 2023–present | Unibet[185][186] |
| Back of shirt sponsors[165] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Period | Sponsor | Position |
| 2017–2020 | Utilita[187] | Top |
| 2020–2021 | The Energy Check[188] | Bottom |
| 2020–present | SEKO Logistics[189] | Top |
| 2021–2022 | Sportemon Go[190] | Bottom |
| 2022–2023 | Socomec[191] | |
| Sleeve sponsors[165] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Period | Sponsor | |
| 2020–2022 | Tomket Tires[192] | |
| 2022–present | BOXT[193] | |
| Shorts sponsors[165] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Period | Sponsor | |
| 2023–present | AIM Building & Maintenance Services[194] | |
When Rangers played French sides in 1996–97 and 1997–98, they wore the logo of Center Parcs instead of McEwan's Lager, due to a French ban on alcohol advertising.[195] Later matches in France (when the club was sponsored by Carling) saw the club play with no shirt sponsor, in 2006[196] and 2007.[197]
During 32Red's sponsorship, Rangers faced NK Osijek in 2018–19 wearing unsponsored training gear due to Croatia's ban on gambling advertising.[167] Team Talk, an arm of the Rangers Charity Foundation, appeared on the shirts on two occasions in 2021–22: away in Leipzig, as Unibet hold no licence for Germany; and in the 2021–22 UEFA Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt, as gambling advertisements are banned in Spain.[198]
Mascot
[edit]Broxi Bear is the official mascot of Rangers. Its name is derived from Rangers' home stadium, Broxi being an anagram of Ibrox. Broxi is a brown bear with blue inner ears and nose, wearing a Rangers strip.[199] He made his first appearance in a 2–2 draw against Raith Rovers on 13 November 1993.[200] Broxi was later accompanied by his "wife" Roxi and their "son" Boris[199] although from 2001 Roxi and Boris no longer made any on-field appearances at Ibrox.[201] Roxi and Boris did continue to appear on some club merchandise.[199] On 9 September 2017, Roxi and Boris were re-introduced before a 4–1 win against Dundee.
Stadium and training facility
[edit]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 Fleshers' Haugh, situated on Glasgow Green, followed by Burnbank Park 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.[202][203]
Rangers' training facility is located in the Auchenhowie area of Milngavie, Glasgow; it was initially named Murray Park after former chairman and owner Sir David Murray, but has since been renamed. It was proposed by then-manager Dick Advocaat upon his arrival at the club in 1998.[46] It was completed in 2001 at a cost of £14 million. The training centre was the first purpose-built facility of its kind in Scotland, and incorporates features including nine football pitches, a gym, a hydrotherapy pool and a video-editing suite. Rangers' youth teams are also accommodated at the centre, with around 140 players between under-10 and under-19 age groups using the facilities. International club teams playing in Scotland, as well as national sides, have previously used the centre for training, and Advocaat's South Korea team used it for training prior to the 2006 World Cup.[204][205]
Club identity, supporters and relations with other clubs
[edit]Rangers are one of the best supported clubs in Europe, the figure for the 2017–18 season being in the 20 largest home league attendances in Europe.[206] A study of stadium attendance figures from 2013 to 2018 by the CIES Football Observatory ranked Rangers at 18th in the world during that period, with Rangers' accounting for 27.4% of total Scottish attendance, placing them eighth overall for national attendance share.[207]
The Rangers Worldwide Alliance is a network of supporters clubs that was set up for the benefit of the club and the fans. There are more than 600 registered supporters clubs with over 30,000 registered members. There are also many unregistered supporters clubs currently active. The official club website lists over 100 supporters' clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,[208] with over 100 further clubs spread across over 35 countries around the world.[209]
Rangers fans have contributed to several records for high attendances,[210] including the highest home attendance for a league fixture, 118,567 on 2 January 1939.[27] 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.[211][212] Despite most supporters behaving "impeccably",[213] 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.[214][215][216]
In 2021, Rangers supporters were widely criticised, including by Nicola Sturgeon, John Swinney and Humza Yousaf, after they gathered in George Square to celebrate the club winning the Scottish Premiership.[217] 53 Rangers supporters were arrested following the celebration, which was in breach of COVID-19 lockdown regulations,[218] and in excess of £58,000 worth of damage was done to the square.[219]
In 2022, Rangers also took the largest-ever travelling support abroad when an estimated 100,000 fans arrived in Seville for the UEFA Europa League Final.[10] No arrests were made in Seville as Rangers supporters impressed the Spanish police with their good behaviour.[220]
Supporters group Club 1872 are shareholders in the club.
Rivalries
[edit]
The club's most distinct rivalry is with Glasgow neighbours Celtic; the two clubs are collectively known as the Old Firm. 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 over 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.[221][222]
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.[223] Then, the following season, Aberdeen's John McMaster had to be given the kiss of life at Ibrox after a stamp on his throat by Willie Johnston.[223] 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.[224] Resentment continued and in 1998 an article in a 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.[225][226]
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.[227][228] 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.[229]
Sectarianism
[edit]John Ure Primrose, chairman of Rangers from 1912 to 1923, has been described as sharpening Rangers' Protestant Unionist identity and anti-Catholic identity, contributing to the absence of openly Catholic players from the team.[230] From the early 20th century onwards, Rangers had a policy of not signing Catholic players, or employing Catholics in other prominent roles.[231][232][233][234]
In 1989, Rangers signed Mo Johnston, "their first major Roman Catholic signing".[235] Johnston was the first high-profile Catholic to sign for the club since the World War I era, though other Catholics had signed for Rangers before.[231][236] Since Johnston's signing, an influx of overseas footballers has contributed to Catholic players becoming commonplace at Rangers.[237] In 1999, Lorenzo Amoruso became the first Catholic captain of the club.[238]
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.[239][n 2] William Gaillard, UEFA's Director of Communications, commended the SFA and Scottish clubs, including Rangers, for their actions in fighting discrimination.[241] In September 2007, UEFA praised Rangers for the measures the club has taken against sectarianism.[242][243]
Sectarian chanting by supporters has continued to incur criticism and sanctions upon the club as well as convictions against individuals identified.[244][245] 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.[246][247][248] UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body has punished Rangers for incidents during European ties, most notably Villarreal in 2006,[249] Osasuna in 2007,[250] PSV Eindhoven in 2011,[251][252] and at Ibrox in 2019.[253] 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.[254] However, there have been cases of the police and courts taking action, with Rangers fans having been charged, convicted and jailed for sectarian behaviour.[255]
Rangers' use of orange and blue change strips, first worn in 1993–94,[166] once in 2002–03[167] and reintroduced in 2018–19[167] and 2022–23,[168] has caused controversy because the colours are seen as referencing the Orange Order.[167]
Politics
[edit]Rangers have historically embodied a stark Protestant, Unionist and Monarchist identity, deeply intertwined with British Loyalism in Scotland and Northern Ireland.[256] Academics argue that the club has long served as a symbolic expression of Britishness in Scotland, often associated with the political right and the Conservative Party. Until 1989, Rangers informally refused to sign Catholic players, reinforcing its image as a bastion of Protestant identity. Supporters frequently express their unionist and Orange affiliations through songs, emblems, and banners, with many fans attending sectarian Orange Order events and adopting symbols such as the Union Jack and slogans like "We are the people." In the 2000s, Ranger fanzines like Follow Follow openly promoted a loyalist and right-wing agenda.[256] Surveys from 1990 and 2001 showed Rangers fans to be the most likely in Scotland to support the Conservative Party, oppose a British withdrawal from Northern Ireland and oppose the Scottish National Party.[256]
In contrast to Glasgow Celtic supporters, who are known to support Palestinian nationalism and wave Palestinian flags at games, Glasgow Rangers supporters support Israel and wave Israeli flags.[257][258][259]
Some Rangers fans have been accused of making Nazi salutes, most notably at a UEFA Cup game in Israel in 2007, although the gestures were later clarified as being "red hand salutes", identified with the loyalist movement.[260] In 2013, a Rangers fan was banned from attending football games for two years after being found guilty of giving a Nazi salute at a youth cup final game.[261] A flag featuring the Nazi SS Tokenkopf has been flown by Rangers fans in both 2023[262] and 2024,[263] with the club launching an investigation after one of the flags was flown at Ibrox Stadium.[264]
In 2003, Rangers chairman John McClelland vowed to "weed out" those who among the Rangers support who "indulge in racist behaviour" after Celtic players Bobo Balde and Momo Sylla were subjected to racist abuse.[265] In March 2015, Rangers director Chris Graham resigned his position after posting derogatory comments about Muslims on social media.[266] In April 2017, a Rangers fan was seen on TV making racist 'monkey gestures' towards Celtic winger Scott Sinclair and banned for life.[267] In August 2019, UEFA ordered Rangers to close a part of their stadium after their fans were found guilty of 'racist chanting'.[268] In July 2020, Rangers defender Connor Goldson was criticised by Rangers fans for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, he described the fans' reaction as "hate" and "ignorance",[269] he was supported by ex-Rangers player Maurice Edu, who also expressed his "embarrassment" and "disappointment" with some Rangers fans' reaction to the Black Lives Matter movement.[270] These events led Rangers CEO Stewart Robertson to condemn the racial abuse of Rangers players by stating "if you are unable to support our players, regardless of their background, you are not welcome at Ibrox".[271]
In the 2020s, Rangers hired former Democratic Unionist Party politician David Graham as their head of public relations. Graham was later promoted to the position of general manager at the club, until the position was abolished.[272]
Friendships
[edit]Supporters of Rangers have a fan friendship with the Northern Irish club Linfield, dating back to 1920. Two of the founders of the club Moses and Peter McNeil have a Northern Irish connection through the County Down birth of their mother Jean Bain, who after moving to Scotland for work in the mid-19th century married a Scotsman, John McNeil. From Rangers formation to the present day, the club have had 32 players who were born in either Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and previously Ireland (from 1882 to 1950). A number were former Linfield players, and they have contributed much to the success of Rangers Football Club. Three former Northern Irish players have captained Rangers – Bert Manderson, John McClelland and Steven Davis; six from a Northern Irish connection have been elevated to the Rangers 'Hall of Fame' and one – Jimmy Nicholl – was the club's assistant manager in 2018.[273]
The fans of Rangers also have a fan-friendship with the German club Hamburger SV, dating from the 1970s when Scots moved to the German port in search of work and reinforced by their shared affection for the midfielder Jörg Albertz.[274] This link was formalised in February 2021 with the formation of an official club partnership between the two sides.[275] Conversely, Celtic fans have a long-standing friendship with Hamburger SV's city rivals, FC St. Pauli. The friendship exists due to both the Rangers-HSV affinity and the shared left-wing politics of Celtic and St. Pauli fans.[276][277][274]
Ownership and finances
[edit]From incorporation to liquidation
[edit]On 27 May 1899, Rangers Football Club incorporated, forming The Rangers Football Club Ltd.[92] 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), with the name of the company being changed to The Rangers Football Club plc.[278]
On 6 May 2011, Craig Whyte bought David Murray's shares for £1.[279] On 13 February 2012, Whyte filed legal papers at the Court of Session giving notice of his intention to appoint administrators.[280] 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.[281][282] 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.[283] However, on 20 November 2012, the Tribunal ruled in favour of Rangers. Had that decision been upheld the tax bill could have been significantly reduced from an estimated £74m to under £2m.[284][285] An Upper Tribunal upheld the decision in 2014.[286] 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.[287]
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.[288]
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. On 14 June 2012, the formal rejection of the proposed CVA[289] meant that the company would enter the liquidation process.[290][291][292] The accountancy firm BDO was appointed to investigate the years of financial mismanagement at the club.[293][294]
Current corporate identity
[edit]On 14 June 2012, hours after the CVA's rejection, Sevco Scotland Ltd, a new company formed by Charles Green's consortium for this eventuality,[295] completed the purchase of the business and assets of The Rangers Football Club Plc[296][297] and then, on 18 June 2012, formally applied to acquire the SPL share of The Rangers Football Club plc. On 4 July, SPL clubs voted by 10–1 to reject the application with Kilmarnock abstaining and the old Rangers company voting in favour.[96] 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.[298][299]
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.[300][301] Agreement was reached on the transfer with the new company accepting a number of conditions relating to the old company.[98]
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.[302] In 2013, after its first 13 months, the company reported operating losses of £14.4m.[303] Thereafter it continued to post annual operating losses, variously £9.8m in 2014 and £9.9m in 2015,[304] £2.5m in 2016,[305] £6.3m in 2017[306] and £13.2m in 2018,[307] until returning to profit in 2022.[308]
In June 2025, the consortium Rangers FC LLC, headed by US businessman Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the San Francisco 49ers, purchased 51% of shares to compete a multi-million pound takeover of the club.
Remaining major shareholders of the club included former chairman Douglas Park, George Taylor and Stuart Gibson, who all held at least a 5% shareholding.
Dave King, who had been the largest individual shareholder since leading the regime change in 2015, and John Bennett, chairman from 2023 to 2024, both divested their entire shareholding.
Social responsibility
[edit]Support for charities
[edit]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.[309][310]
Through its support of the Rangers Charity Foundation, the club has helped a number of charities with support and financial donations. In 2008, the club became the first Scottish side to be selected as a partner club of UNICEF.[311] The club's Charity Foundation has backed initiatives in Togo and India[311] as well as funding one million vaccinations for a children's vaccination programme.[312] The club has been a firm supporter of Erskine, a charity which provides long-term medical care for veterans of the British Armed Forces, and in 2012, donated £25,000 to fund projects within their care homes.[313] In January 2015, Rangers hosted a charity match for the benefit of former player Fernando Ricksen who had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease; this raised £320,000 for him and MND Scotland.[314]
Work in the community
[edit]Alongside its work with numerous charities, the club and its Charity Foundation operate various initiatives within the community including courses to help Armed Forces veterans overcome addictions,[315] to raise awareness of social issues and help unemployed people back into work. In October 2015, the club launched its Ready2Succeed programme which was a ten-week course designed to develop participants confidence and employability skills by engaging with football and fitness.[316] Rangers first-team players also visit the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow every year during the festive period where they hand out presents to the children and donate money to the hospital activity fund.[317]
Popular culture
[edit]The club featured on BBC Scotland comedy Scotch and Wry in 1979 in a scene where Manager (Rikki Fulton) and Chief Scout (Gregor Fisher) unknowingly sign a young Catholic footballer (Gerard Kelly) but then try to void his contract to avoid publicly breaking the club's "No Catholic" signing policy after finding out.[318][319]
In 2002, former Rangers striker Ally McCoist starred in Robert Duvall's film A Shot at Glory as Jackie McQuillan, where he would play against Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final for "Kilnockie F.C.", a fictional side.
In 2003, a Scottish television documentary series filmed by BBC Scotland, Blue Heaven, followed aspiring young footballers at Rangers as they tried to forge a career in football.[320] The series was originally broadcast in the winter of 2003 with a follow-up episode in 2011.[321]
In 2008, celebrity chef and former Rangers youth player Gordon Ramsay returned to the club to teach them how to cook in Series 4, Episode 12 of The F Word.[322]
Owing to the notoriety of the "Rangers Inter City Firm", a football firm associated with the club, Rangers have also featured in television documentaries and books about football hooliganism, including Series 1, Episode 5 of The Real Football Factories presented by English actor Danny Dyer on Bravo in 2006, during which he visits his first Old Firm match and meets football casuals from Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibernian, Dundee United and Dundee.[323]
Rangers have appeared in theatre a number of times in shows such as Follow Follow: The Rangers Story at the King's Theatre in 1994 starring Scottish actors Barbara Rafferty, Alexander Morton, Jonathan Watson, Iain Robertson, Ronnie Letham and Stuart Bowman; Singin' I'm No A Billy He's A Tim at the Pavilion Theatre in 2009;[324][325] Divided City at the Citizens Theatre in 2011; and, more recently, Billy and Tim and the Wee Glesga Ghost in 2015 and Rally Roon the Rangers in 2019 and 2022, both at the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow.[326]
William Orcutt Cushing's hymn "Follow On", also known as "Down in the Valley with My Saviour I Would Go" or "I Will Follow Jesus", has been adopted as the anthem of Rangers in their club song "Follow Follow". The club has also played the Tina Turner song "The Best" when the teams exit the tunnel before kick off.[327]
In October 2023, K-pop girl group STAYC went viral when during a concert in Dallas, Texas, US, they wore cropped 1996–97 season Rangers shirts instead of uniforms from the local Major League Baseball team, the Texas Rangers.[328][329] A club spokesman said that the moment had "triggered nostalgia for the Light Blues". When the group traveled to the UK the following month for the Korea On Stage show at Wembley, the club welcomed them to Ibrox Stadium and their adjoining event facility, Edmiston House.[330][331][332]
Records
[edit]Club
[edit]- Highest attendance
- 143,570 vs Hibernian, 27 March 1948[333][334][335]
- UK record home attendance
- 118,567 vs Celtic, 2 January 1939[17][27][336][337]
- Highest European attendance
- 100,000 vs Dynamo Kyiv, 16 September 1987[334]
- World record fourth-tier attendance
- 50,048 vs Berwick Rangers, 4 May 2013[99][105][106]
- Unbeaten league seasons
- 1898–99 (Rangers won all of their 18 league matches)[338] and 2020–21[339]
- Highest scoring match
- 14–2 vs Whitehill, 29 September 1883[340]
- 14–2 vs Blairgowrie, 20 January 1934[336][337][340]
- Record league victory
- 10–0 vs Hibernian, 24 December 1898[17][333][340]
Player
[edit]- Record appearances
- Dougie Gray, 940 appearances, 1925–1947[341]
- Most league appearances
- Sandy Archibald, 513 appearances, 1917–1934[342]
- Record goalscorer
- Jimmy Smith, 381 goals, 1929–1946[343]
- Most league goals
- Jimmy Smith, 300 goals, 1929–1946[344]
- Most Scotland caps whilst playing at Rangers
- Ally McCoist, 61 caps, 1983–1998[345][346]
Players
[edit]First-team squad
[edit]- As of 1 September 2025[347]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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On loan
[edit]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Academy squads
[edit]For more details on the academy squads, see Rangers F.C. B Team and Academy.
Retired and reserved numbers
[edit]- Number 12 is reserved for the fans (often referred to as the 12th man)[348]
Staff
[edit]Board of directors
[edit]Rangers is owned and operated by The Rangers Football Club Limited ("TRFCL"), which, in turn, is a subsidiary of the holding company Rangers International Football Club Limited ("RIFC"). The latter company, RIFC, also owns other corporations related to Rangers including Rangers Retail Ltd, Rangers Media Ltd and Garrion Security Services Ltd who are responsible for providing match day security at Ibrox Stadium.
As of 30 May 2025[349]
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As of 1 June 2025
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First-team staff
[edit]As of 20 October 2025[350]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach | Danny Röhl |
| Assistant coach | Matthias Kaltenbach |
| First team performance manager | Sascha Lense |
| Goalkeeping coach | Sal Bibbo |
| Pathway coach | Brian Gilmour |
| Head of recruitment | Robbie Thelwell |
| Head of scouting operations | Fraser Murray |
| Lead UK scout | Mervyn Day |
| Lead Scotland scout | Ian Murdoch |
| Lead international scout | Anthony Galinski |
| Scouts | Timo Cato Ross Ireland Ludovic Lemor Jamie Miller |
| Head of sports science | Rhys Owen |
| Head of performance | Jamie Ramsden |
| Strength and conditioning coach | Samuel Harrison |
| Physical performance coach | Calum MacMaster |
| Head of performance physiotherapy | Kevin Bain |
| First team performance physiotherapy | Steven Walker |
| Head of nutrition and performance coach | Craig Flannigan |
| Head of physiotherapy | Jonathon Skinner |
| Head of rehabilitation | Russell Parker |
| Club doctor | Gary Ramsay |
| Masseurs | David Lavery Ruari Yeoman |
| Head of analysis | Graeme Stevenson |
| Performance analysts | Adam Berry Euan Fotheringham |
| Data insights lead | Jaymes Monte |
| Kit operations manager | David MacGregor |
Managers
[edit]Twenty-one men (including two repeat appointments) have been manager of Rangers during the club's history.[74][351][352] In addition, twelve men have taken charge of the side on a caretaker basis, while five served as secretaries choosing the team, prior to the appointment of the club's first full-time manager, William Wilton, in 1899.
The longest-serving manager was Bill Struth, who served for 34 years and 26 days. Rangers have had six foreign managers during their history: Dick Advocaat, Paul Le Guen, Pedro Caixinha, Giovanni van Bronckhorst, Philippe Clement and Danny Röhl. Graeme Souness is the only player-manager during Rangers' history.[43] There have been two repeat appointments: Jock Wallace and Walter Smith.
The most successful manager, in terms of the number of trophies won, is Bill Struth, with eighteen League titles, ten Scottish Cups and two League Cups. Rangers' other manager with notable success was William Waddell, who won the European Cup Winners' Cup.
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Honours
[edit]- As of 17 December 2023[25]
- record
- s shared record
Other honours
[edit]- European Cup Winners' Cup:
- UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League:
- UEFA Super Cup:
- Runners-up (1): 1972
Doubles and trebles
[edit]- League Title, Scottish Cup, League Cup: 7
- League Title and Scottish Cup: 11
- League Title and League Cup: 10
- Scottish Cup and League Cup: 4
Notable statistics
[edit]Rangers became the first British side to reach a UEFA-sanctioned European final in 1961.[354]
UEFA club coefficient rankings
[edit]- As of 5 October 2025[355]
| Ranking | Club | Country | 2025/26 Points |
Total Points |
National Association Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | Villareal | 7.000 | 59.000 | 16.190 | |
| 32 | Lazio | – | 59.000 | 17.360 | |
| 33 | Real Sociedad | – | 57.000 | 16.190 | |
| 34 | Rangers | 0.000 | 56.250 | 5.810 | |
| 35 | Real Betis | 3.000 | 55.250 | 16.190 | |
| 36 | Bodø/Glimt | 8.000 | 55.000 | 7.517 | |
| 37 | Ajax | 21.250 | 69.250 | 13.430 |
Notable former players
[edit]Club captains
[edit]For further information, see Rangers club captains.
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Greatest-ever team
[edit]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":[357]
Andy Goram
Sandy Jardine
Richard Gough
Terry Butcher
John Greig – voted Rangers' greatest-ever player
Brian Laudrup – voted Rangers' greatest-ever foreign player
Paul Gascoigne
Jim Baxter – voted Rangers' third greatest-ever player
Davie Cooper
Ally McCoist – voted Rangers' second greatest-ever player
Mark Hateley
Scottish Football Hall of Fame
[edit]As of 1 June 2020, 33 players and managers to have been involved with Rangers in their careers have entered the Scottish Football Hall of Fame:[358]
John Greig – 2004 Inaugural Inductee
Graeme Souness – 2004 Inaugural Inductee
Sir Alex Ferguson – 2004 Inaugural Inductee
Jim Baxter – 2004 Inaugural Inductee
Willie Woodburn – 2004 Inaugural Inductee
Alex McLeish – 2005 Inductee
Willie Waddell – 2005 Inductee
George Young – 2005 Inductee
Alan Morton – 2005 Inductee
Davie Cooper – 2006 Inductee
Brian Laudrup – 2006 Inductee
Sandy Jardine – 2006 Inductee
Willie Henderson – 2006 Inductee
Richard Gough – 2006 Inductee
Walter Smith – 2007 Inductee
Ally McCoist – 2007 Inductee
Eric Caldow – 2007 Inductee
Derek Johnstone – 2008 Inductee
Bill Struth – 2008 Inductee
David Meiklejohn – 2009 Inductee
Mo Johnston – 2009 Inductee
Andy Goram – 2010 Inductee
Robert Smyth McColl – 2011 Inductee
Terry Butcher – 2011 Inductee
Bob McPhail – 2012 Inductee
Scot Symon – 2013 Inductee
Davie Wilson – 2014 Inductee
Bobby Brown – 2015 Inductee
Jock Wallace – 2016 Inductee
Archie Knox – 2018 Inductee
Ian McMillan – 2018 Inductee
Tommy McLean – 2019 Inductee
Colin Stein – 2019 Inductee
Scottish FA International Roll of Honour
[edit]The Scottish FA International Roll of Honour recognises players who have gained 50 or more international caps for Scotland. As of 1 July 2021, the 10 inductees to have won caps while playing for Rangers are:[359]
David Weir – 2006 Inductee, 69 Caps
Kenny Miller – 2010 Inductee, 69 Caps
Christian Dailly – 2003 Inductee, 67 Caps
Richard Gough – 1990 Inductee, 61 Caps
Ally McCoist – 1996 Inductee, 61 Caps
George Young – 1956 Inductee, 54 Caps
Graeme Souness – 1985 Inductee, 54 Caps
Colin Hendry – 2001 Inductee, 51 Caps
Steven Naismith – 2019 Inductee, 51 Caps
Alan Hutton – 2016 Inductee, 50 Caps
Scottish Sports Hall of Fame
[edit]Three Rangers players have been selected in the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, they are:[360]
Jim Baxter – 2002 Inductee
John Greig – 2002 Inductee
Ally McCoist – 2007 Inductee
Greatest-ever Ranger
[edit]John Greig was voted the greatest ever Rangers player in 1999.[357] He was announced as Honorary Life President in 2015.[361]
Sponsors
[edit]As of September 2025, Rangers are sponsored by:[362]
Official partners
[edit]- Official Kit Manufacturer, Retail, Merchandise and Licensing Partner – Umbro
- Principal Club Sponsor – Kindred Group[363]
- Official Shirt Sponsor – Unibet[363]
- Official Training Kit Partner – 32Red[363]
- Official Presenting Partner – Park's Motor Group[364]
- Official Upper Back of Shirt Sponsor and Logistics Partner – Seko Logistics[365]
- Official Lower Back of Shirt Sponsor –
- Official Sleeve Partner – BOXT[193]
- Official Women's Principal Partner and Official Women's Front Of Shirt Partner – Sportsbreaks.com[366]
- Official Academy Partner – Carrick Packaging[367]
- Official Academy Front of Shirt Training Wear Partner and Air Conditioning Partner – CSD Air Conditioning[368]
- Official Destination Partner – Experience Kissimmee[369]
- Official Lager Partner – Tennent's Lager
- Official Breakfast Cereals Partner – Kellogg's[370]
- Official Video Gaming Partner – EA Sports[371]
- Official Digital Auction Supplier – MatchWornShirt[372]
- Official FX Transfer Partner – Ebury[373]
Associate partners
[edit]- Official Scotch Whisky Partner – Douglas Laing & Co[374]
- Official Restaurant Partner – Black Rooster[375]
- Official Engineering Partner – Forrest Precision Engineering[376]
- Official Cyber Security Partner – NordVPN[377]
- Official Electrical and Security Partner – JC Electrical & Security Solutions
- Official Ground Engineering Partner – Northern Piling
Official suppliers
[edit]- Official Business Travel Supplier – Destination Sport Travel
- Official Match Breaks Supplier – Sportsbreaks.com
- Official Title Sponsorship Partner - William Hill
- Official Television Supplier – Sky Sports
- Official Food and Beverage Partner – Elior UK[378]
- Official Soft Drink Supplier – Coca-Cola
- Official Hydration Partner – Lucozade Sport[379]
- Official Personal Care Supplier – Molton Brown[380]
- Official Rangers Legends Events Supplier – 5 Stars[381]
- Official Events Partner – Turnberry
- Official Clothing Partner – Suited & Booted
A full list of Rangers commercial partners and sponsors can be found on the official club website and in the Rangers matchday programme, available at every home game.
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ However this attendance was unofficially exceeded prior to this match in Brazil. But this attendance was not officially recorded.[100]
- ^ Racism has been directed at players on the pitch at Rangers games, including at former Celtic player Bobo Balde.[240]
- ^ 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.[25]
- ^ Choices were limited to post World War II era players only.
References
[edit]- ^ "Rangers International Football Club PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2024" (PDF). Rangers.co.uk. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
- ^ THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED Company No. SC425159 Companies House. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ From Sporting Lisbon to Athletic Bilbao — why do we get foreign clubs' names wrong?, Michael Cox, The Athletic, 16 March 2023.
- ^ "Rangers – Historical Kits". Historicalkits.co.uk. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Passion, pride, tradition and nastiness: Why Old Firm match is greatest derby in the world". Evening Times. 11 March 2017. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
- ^ "Classic Rivalries: Old Firm's enduring appeal". FIFA. 16 April 2016. Archived from the original on 26 March 2018. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "Supporters Clubs". Rangers Football Club, Official Website. Retrieved 12 April 2020.
- ^ "Rangers invasion: your views". British Broadcasting Corporation. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ McLeod, Keith (15 May 2008). "175,000-strong Rangers support the biggest in world football". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 17 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- ^ a b "Rangers in Seville: Police say 100,000 fans expected". BBC. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
- ^ Gammelsæter, Hallgeir; Senaux, Benoit (2011). The Organisation and Governance of Top Football Across Europe. Routledge. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-136-70533-5. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
- ^ "Rangers Football Club enters administration". BBC. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
- ^ "How the mighty Glasgow Rangers have fallen". The Guardian. 18 January 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
- ^ "Rangers to re-form after creditors' deal is rejected". BBC. 12 June 2012. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
- ^ "The Rangers Football Club Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ Paul Smith (2013). Scotland Who's Who: International Players 1872–2013. Pitch Publishing. p. 126.
- ^ a b c d "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) - ^ a b "The on-field history of Rangers Football Club 1873–2012". BBC News. 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 March 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
The club's origins date back to 1872 when Moses McNeil, his brother Peter, 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. - ^ "Co founder of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, Rangers and Scotland Footballer – a true Footballing Pioneer". Helensburgh Heroes. helensburghheroes.com. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. 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.
- ^ a b "Rangers History". Evening Times. Archived from the original on 17 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 is 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 1872 at Flecher's Haugh in Glasgow Green against Callander, a match that ended in a 0–0 draw.
Rangers was officially founded in 1873 as that was the year they elected office bearers. The club first donned blue shirts in 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 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' 55 championships. - ^ Chapter XX.—Queen's Park and Glasgow Charity cup, History of the Queen's Park Football Club 1867 – 1917, Richard Robinson (1920), via Electric Scotland
- ^ "Summer Soccer & Football Camps train with the best teams in world football". football-soccer-camps.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2013. 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. - ^ "The Founding of Celtic Football Club 1888". BBC Scotland. November 2005. Archived from the original on 14 September 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'.
- ^ "The Founding Fathers". Rangers F.C. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. 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.
In season 1875–76 they moved to Burnbank Park and towards the end of that season 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. - ^ a b c d e f "Rangers". Scottish Football League. July 2014. Archived from the original on 17 August 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
- ^ a b "Rangers FC". UEFA. 30 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 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. - ^ a b c Forsyth, Roddy (22 September 2006). "A lot of bottle in Old Firm duels". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 8 December 2013. 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.
- ^ "The Dominant Force". Rangers F.C. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013.
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. - ^ a b Murray, Scott (30 December 2011). "The Joy of Six: new year football fixtures". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. 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.
- ^ Rangers dominated wartime football but should their titles be recognised in the record books?, The Scotsman, 21 March 2020.
- ^ Record Sport Online (8 August 2017). "Rangers supporters campaign for World War Two titles to be recognised by SFA and SPFL". Daily Record. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
- ^ "About Scot Symon". in.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. 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
- ^ Stone, Colin (5 January 2012). "Top 10 Glasgow Rangers Players of All Time". Bleacher Report. pp. 2–11. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. 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. - ^ "Hampden dazzled by white magic". The Guardian. 15 May 2002. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ 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 2 October 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2012.
Rangers were the first British team to reach a European final in 1961
- ^ Womersley, Tara (19 June 2001). "Thousands pay tribute to victims of Ibrox disaster". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
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. - ^ "Scotland XI vs Rangers/Celtic Select Official Programme of the Match". celticprogrammesonline.com. 27 January 1971. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
Attendance: 81,405
- ^ "Destiny awaits Ibrox heroes". The Scotsman. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 21 May 2013. 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. - ^ "Rangers triumph in Europe 1972". BBC Scotland. December 2005. Archived from the original on 7 November 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.
- ^ "UEFA Super Cup – History". UEFA. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
- ^ "Scottish Cup History And Archives". Scottish Football Association. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
122,714 supporters packed into Hampden on 5 May 1973 for the Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic.
- ^ McKinney, David (26 July 1996). "Obituary: Jock Wallace". The Independent. Archived from the original on 5 November 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.
- ^ a b "Rangers paying for overspending ways". The footy pie. February 2012. Archived from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 31 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.
- ^ "UEFA Champions League 1992/93: Rangers". UEFA. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012.
- ^ "Scottish Premier Division 1996–97". Soccorbot. soccerbot.com. 27 June 2000. Archived from the original on 17 May 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ a b Campbell, Andy (13 May 2008). "Advocaat's Rangers legacy". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 May 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.
- ^ "Rangers make history out of chaos". BBC Sport. 3 May 1999. Archived from the original on 14 November 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. - ^ "When Rangers can win the league". The Scotsman. 28 March 2010. Archived from the original on 19 October 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.
- ^ "Champions League group tables". BBC Sport. 2 November 1999. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013.
- ^ "Rangers put Parma in the shade". BBC Sport. 12 August 1999. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. 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 - ^ Forsyth, Roddy (12 November 2000). "Rangers' £12m Flo gamble". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. 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.
- ^ "Kaiserslautern 3–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 7 December 2000. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. 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. - ^ "Rangers unveil McLeish". BBC Sport. 11 December 2001. Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
Alex McLeish has been unveiled as Rangers' 11th manager after a dramatic day at Ibrox.
- ^ "Rangers complete Treble". BBC Sport. 31 May 2003. Archived from the original on 11 November 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.
- ^ "Rangers win to clinch title". BBC Sport. 25 May 2003. Archived from the original on 19 May 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. - ^ 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". The Herald. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
Rangers secure a world-record 50th championship
- ^ "Rangers stay cool over huge losses". The Guardian. 30 September 2002. Archived from the original on 4 August 2012.
Rangers chairman John McClelland has attempted to assure shareholders the club's £52m debt is nothing to be alarmed over.
- ^ 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 22 October 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.
- ^ "Magpies complete Boumsong signing". BBC Sport. 2 January 2005. Archived from the original on 14 March 2013. 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.
- ^ "Rangers get Prso". BBC Sport. 9 May 2004. Archived from the original on 22 February 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
Rangers have confirmed the signing of Monaco's Croatian striker Dado Prso.
- ^ "Rangers sign Novo". BBC Sport. 6 July 2004. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. 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.
- ^ "Ferguson clinches Rangers return". BBC Sport. 1 February 2005. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
- ^ "Rangers in dramatic title triumph". BBC Sport. 22 May 2005. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. 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. - ^ Jackson, Keith (22 April 2010). "Football flashback: Looking back on Rangers' 'helicopter Sunday' triumph in 2005". Daily Record. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
NACHO Novo will be remembered forever as the man whose goal made the helicopter change direction.
- ^ "Rangers 1–1 Inter Milan". BBC Sport. 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 4 November 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. - ^ "Villarreal 1–1 Rangers (agg 3–3)". BBC Sport. 7 March 2006. Archived from the original on 4 November 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.
- ^ "McLeish to leave Rangers in May". BBC Sport. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 4 November 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
Alex McLeish will leave his position as Rangers manager at the end of the season, the club has confirmed
- ^ "Rangers name Le Guen as manager". BBC Sport. 11 March 2006. Archived from the original on 3 April 2011. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
Rangers have announced that Paul Le Guen will replace Alex McLeish as manager at the end of the season.
- ^ "Rangers 0–2 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 8 November 2006. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012.
St Johnstone recorded one of their finest results to stun Rangers at Ibrox and reach the CIS Cup semi-finals.
- ^ Glenn, Patrick (24 September 2006). "Gravesen piles pressure on Le Guen". The Observer. Archived from the original on 4 August 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.
- ^ Murray, Ewan (15 December 2006). "Hutton sends Rangers clean through to Old Firm match". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. 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.
- ^ Austin, Simon (5 January 2007). "Clash of cultures". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013.
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 talisman 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. - ^ "Le Guen and Rangers part company". BBC Sport. 4 January 2007. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013.
Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has left the club by mutual consent.
- ^ a b "Smith installed as Rangers boss". BBC Sport. 10 January 2007. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012.
Walter Smith has quit as Scotland coach to become boss of Rangers for a second time after agreeing a three-year deal.
- ^ Moffat, Colin (12 December 2007). "Rangers 0–3 Lyon". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 8 April 2012.
Rangers crashed out of the Champions League and into the Uefa Cup with a disappointing home defeat to Lyon.
- ^ "Rangers & Zenit chase Uefa glory". BBC Sport. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015.
Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Fiorentina have been dispatched, along with Sporting since Rangers qualified via their position in the Champions League group stage.
- ^ "Succescoach Advocaat wordt in Sint-Petersburg nooit vergeten". nos.nl (in Dutch). 15 June 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ Winter, Henry (15 May 2008). "Rangers run out of steam as Zenit lift Uefa Cup". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
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. - ^ "Battle of Piccadilly". men. Manchester Evening News. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
- ^ "Rangers exit Champions League in Lithuania". CNN World Sport. CNN. 5 August 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012.
Scottish giants Rangers slumped to a shock European exit when Linas Pilibaitis gave FBK Kaunas 2–1 an aggregate win in their Champions League second qualifying round tie in Lithuania.
- ^ Forsyth, Roddy (24 May 2009). "Rejuvenated Rangers take SPL title in style with victory at Dundee United". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. 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.
- ^ Forsyth, Roddy (30 May 2009). "Rangers 1 Falkirk 0: Match report". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. 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.
- ^ Murray, Ewan (21 March 2010). "Kenny Miller sees nine-man Rangers through to victory". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 25 March 2010. 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.
- ^ "Rangers happy to prove doubters wrong after Cup win". BBC Sport. 20 March 2011. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013.
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. - ^ Moffat, Colin (16 May 2011). "Kilmarnock 1 – 5 Rangers". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 July 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. - ^ "Rangers crash out of Champions League after seeing red twice at Malmo". The Guardian. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 4 August 2011.
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
- ^ Campbell, Andy (25 August 2011). "Rangers 1 – 1 NK Maribor (agg 2 – 3)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012.
Rangers exited the Europa League as Maribor claimed an aggregate victory to progress to the group stages.
- ^ "Ally McCoist fuming as Falkirk kids dump Rangers out of cup". BBC Sport. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 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.
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Dundee United knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup with a deserved fifth-round victory at Ibrox.
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Rangers have been deducted 10 points after entering administration.
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Reigning champions Rangers prevented the Scottish title being won on their own patch despite a dramatic late rally from nine-man runaway leaders Celtic.
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IncorporationDate 27/05/1899
PreviousNames
CONDate 31 July 2012
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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
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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.
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BBC Scotland has learned that 10 of the 12 clubs were in opposition, with Kilmarnock abstaining and Rangers voting in favour.
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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.
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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.
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1 Santa Cruz (PE) 0 × 0 Treze (PB), 59.966, 16/10/2011, Estádio do Arruda
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Rangers suffered a shock first loss in the Third Division after crashing to defeat against bottom side Stirling Albion.
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Rangers made a shock exit in the Ramsdens Cup after a penalty shoot-out defeat by Queen of the South at Ibrox.
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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.
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Attendance 49,463
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IBROX STADIUM (ATT 49,913)
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- ^ "The Badges of Rangers Football Club". Danbury Mint. Archived from the original on 31 July 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.
- ^ "The Rangers Crest". Rangers F.C. Archived from the original on 23 January 2013. 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.
- ^ "150 Years of Rangers Football Club". Rangers F.C. March 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
- ^ "The Rangers Crest". Gersnet Online. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. 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.
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- ^ a b "Magners shirt cash for Celtic ends Old Firm double deals". The Scotsman. 9 January 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
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- ^ "Carling to sponsor Old Firm". thegrocer.co.uk. 3 January 2003.
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- ^ "KINDRED HIGHLIGHTS ITS ZERO % MISSION WITH NEW RANGERS KIT BRANDING". Rangers F.C. 9 June 2023.
- ^ phttps://www.kindredgroup.com/media/press-releases/2017/kindred-group-completes-the-acquisition-of-32red/ In June 2017, 32Red was purchased by Kindred Group for £175.6 million, Unibet was already a subsidiary of the Group, having been purchased a year earlier.
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- ^ Devlin, John (3 July 2009). "An alternative to alcohol". True Colours. Archived from the original on 29 June 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. In 1997–98 another 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)
- ^ Lindsay, Clive (23 November 2006). "Auxerre 2–2 Rangers". BBC Sport.
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- ^ "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.)
- ^ "Rangers consider Ibrox expansion". BBC Sport. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 27 January 2011. 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.
- ^ MacDonald, Hugh (26 March 2012). "Working with kids is its own reward for the man in charge at Murray Park". The Herald. Glasgow. Archived from the original on 4 June 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."
- ^ Smith, Paul (2012). For Richer, for Poorer: The Murray Years. Random House. ISBN 9781780572826.
add quote
- ^ Bobby Sinnet; Thomas Jamieson. "Average Home League Game Attendances". fitbastats. Archived from the original on 11 September 2012. Retrieved 14 July 2014.
2013/2014 42,938
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- ^ "UK Supporters Clubs". Rangers F.C. Archived from the original on 6 October 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.
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- ^ 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.
- ^ "Rangers invasion: your views". BBC Manchester. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 25 September 2015. 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.
- ^ Nisbet, John (27 August 2010). "150,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008". The Independent. Archived from the original on 11 November 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.
- ^ "Rangers fans clash with riot police after Uefa Cup final defeat". Metro. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. 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.
- ^ Carter, Helen; Orr, James (15 May 2008). "Rangers fans clashed with riot police". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 July 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.
- ^ "Rangers fans take long road home". BBC News. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. 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.
- ^ "CCTV shows fans chasing police". BBC News. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 March 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.
- ^ "Nicola Sturgeon condemns 'disgraceful' scenes as Rangers fans celebrate". Irish Times. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
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- ^ 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.
- ^ 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. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. 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.
- ^ a b When two tribes go to war The Herald (Glasgow). Retrieved 30 November 2013.
- ^ "Aberdeen v Rangers: a rivalry inflamed by a terrible tackle". The Guardian. 6 February 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Rangers apologise to Aberdeen". The Independent. 18 November 1998. Archived from the original on 8 November 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"
- ^ "A history of bad blood". BBC Sport. 19 January 2002. Archived from the original on 9 July 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 Ian Durrant.
- ^ Smith, Andrew (14 October 2012). "Rangers v Queen's Park: Renewing an age-old rivalry". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 18 November 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. - ^ Fisher, Stewart (14 October 2012). "Old rivalry renewed". The Herald. Glasgow. Archived from the original on 16 October 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.
- ^ Forsyth, Roddy (19 October 2012). "Rangers and Queen's Park ready to resurrect world's oldest derby". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 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.
- ^ 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 was associated with the most virulent anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiment, and was openly allied with the orange order.
- ^ a b Murray, William J. (2000). The Old Firm: Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland. John Donald Publishers. pp. 60, 64, 65, 189. ISBN 9780859765428.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Laing, Allan (11 July 1989). "Ibrox lands double coup with Johnston". The Herald. Glasgow. 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.
- ^ Kuper, Simon (2006). Football Against the Enemy. Orion. ISBN 0-7528-4877-1.
- ^ Kuper, Simon (18 March 2012). "Decline and fall of the Old Firm". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 11 November 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.
- ^ "Former Old Firm Italians give their take on derby clash". Daily Record. 7 October 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2013. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
I've been Rangers' first Catholic captain
- ^ Rumsby, Ben (18 February 2009). "SPL Remains tight-lipped over report on Parkhead chanting". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 21 October 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.
- ^ "Rangers to root out racists". The Guardian. 10 March 2003. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. 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.
- ^ Wright, Angus (13 November 2006). "SFA praised for stance on bigotry". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 19 October 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.
- ^ Spiers, Graham (21 September 2007). "Uefa praises Rangers for action on bigotry". The Times. Retrieved 22 March 2009.[dead link](subscription required)
- ^ Sekar, Satish (20 February 2009). "No Surrender to Bigotry". Empower-Sport British Supplement. Empower-Sport. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. 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."
- ^ SPFL may take action against Rangers over sectarian singing The Herald (Glasgow), 29 December 2015.
- ^ Rangers fan jailed for three months for sectarian chanting at football ground Daily Record (Scotland), 26 October 2012.
- ^ "Findlay songs inquiry launched". BBC News. 9 June 1999. Archived from the original on 24 January 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.
- ^ O'Sullivan, Jack (4 June 1999). "I'm Catholic in a football sense". The Independent. Archived from the original on 16 December 2013. 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."
- ^ Humphrys, John (2 July 2002). "On the Ropes – Donald Findlay QC" (Press release). BBC Press Office. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Rangers are to face a Uefa disciplinary hearing over allegations of sectarian singing during last month's Europa League 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".
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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.
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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.
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Craig Whyte has completed his takeover of Rangers for £1 but amid continuing concerns by board members about his ability to invest sufficient funds.
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Rangers Football Club has confirmed it has filed legal papers at the Court of Session to appoint administrators.
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HMRC lodged its petition over alleged non-payment of about £9m in PAYE and VAT following Craig Whyte's takeover.
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A criminal investigation is to be launched into Craig Whyte's takeover of Rangers Football Club in May last year.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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. - ^ Farrell, Mike (12 June 2012). "Rangers in Crisis". STV News. STV. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. 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.
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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.
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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.
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Raith Rovers and Clyde insist plans to place the Rangers newco in Scottish Division One should not be forced upon Scottish Football League clubs.
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"We have received an information pack from Sevco Scotland relevant to their membership application," said the SFA.
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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
- ^ Farrell, Mike (6 March 2012). "Inquiry into Rangers charity match against AC Milan". STV Glasgow. STV. Archived from the original on 13 May 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.
- ^ a b "RANGERS". UNICEF. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
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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.
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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.
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- ^ "Rangers Partner With Douglas Laing". Rangers Football Club, Official Website. 9 November 2021.
- ^ "Rangers Announce Partnership With Black Rooster". Rangers Football Club, Official Website. 27 August 2021.
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- ^ "Rangers Partner With Molton Brown". Rangers Football Club, Official Website. 16 January 2020.
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Further reading
[edit]- Armstrong, Gary; Giulianotti, Richard (2001). Fear and loathing in world football. Berg Publishers. ISBN 1-85973-463-4. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- Barnes, Stuart (2010). News of the World Football Annual 2006/2007. HarperCollins UK. ISBN 9780007234233. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
- 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.
- Gallagher, Tom (1987). Glasgow, the Uneasy Peace: Religious Tension in Modern Scotland, 1819–1914. Manchester University Press ND. ISBN 9780719023965. Retrieved 18 August 2012.
- Giulianotti, Richard (1999). Football: A Sociology of the Global Game. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780745617695.
- Kuper, Simon (1994). Football Against the Enemy. Orion. ISBN 0-7528-4877-1.
- Murray, William J. (2000). The Old Firm: Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland. John Donald Publishers. ISBN 9780859765428.
- Potter, David; Jones, Phil (2011). The Encyclopedia of Scottish Football. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 978-1908051103.
- Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack (4 August 2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–12. Headline. ISBN 978-0755362325.
- 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.
- Smith, Paul (2012). For Richer, for Poorer: The Murray Years. Random House. ISBN 9781780572826. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- Souness, Graeme; Gallacher, Ken (1989). Graeme Souness: A Manager's Diary. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN 9781851582242.
External links
[edit]This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. (June 2024) |
- Official website

- Rangers from Scottish Professional Football League
- Football Club: Team profile[permanent dead link]
- Rangers at FIFA
- Rangers FC at UEFA
- Club 1872
- Rangers F.C. on BBC Sport: Club news – Recent results and fixtures
- Club information at Fitbastats.com
Rangers F.C.
View on GrokipediaRangers Football Club is a professional association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, founded in March 1872 by four teenage boys—Peter Campbell, William McBeath, Moses McNeil, and Peter McNeil—during a walk in West End Park.[1] The club competes in the Scottish Premiership, Scotland's top division, and has been playing its home matches at Ibrox Stadium since 1899.[2][3] Rangers holds the record for the most Scottish league titles with 55, along with 34 Scottish Cup victories and 28 Scottish League Cup triumphs, making it the most decorated club in Scottish football history.[4] In Europe, its most notable achievement came in 1972 with victory in the European Cup Winners' Cup, defeating FC Dynamo Moscow 3–2 in the final at Camp Nou, though it has also reached finals in 1961, 1967, and more recently the 2008 UEFA Cup and 2022 Europa League, both ending in defeat.[4][5] Central to Rangers' identity is the Old Firm rivalry with crosstown opponents Celtic, the world's most intense club derby, which encapsulates longstanding religious (Protestant versus Catholic), ethnic (Scottish versus Irish heritage), and political (unionist versus nationalist) divides in Scottish society that have fueled fan passion, cultural significance, and occasional violence since the clubs' first meeting in 1888.[6] A defining controversy arose in 2012 when the original holding company entered administration over unpaid taxes exceeding £9 million, leading to liquidation in October; a consortium purchased the club name, intellectual property, and Ibrox leasehold to form a new entity (The Rangers Football Club Ltd), which was placed in the fourth tier and progressively promoted back to the Premiership by 2016 amid debates over institutional continuity.[7][8]
History
Formation and early development under William Wilton
Rangers Football Club was established in March 1872 by four teenage boys—brothers Peter McNeil and Moses McNeil, along with William McBeath and Peter Campbell—who were inspired to form a team after observing a football match while boating on the River Clyde near Glasgow.[1] Initially playing informal matches on Glasgow Green and Fleshers' Haugh, the club adopted the name Rangers, drawing from the rowing team's "rangers" moniker, and competed in friendly fixtures against local sides.[9] By 1876, Rangers had formalized operations, with Moses McNeil emerging as a key player and later captain, and the club participated in early cup competitions, reaching the Scottish Cup semi-finals in 1877.[10] The team relocated to Burnbank Park in 1886 before securing a lease for the first Ibrox Park in 1887, which featured basic terracing and hosted growing crowds, including three Scotland international matches and the 1890 Scottish Cup Final.[11] As one of the ten founding members of the Scottish Football League in August 1890, Rangers played their home fixtures at Ibrox and clinched their inaugural league title in the 1890–91 season, sharing the championship with Dumbarton after both finished with 29 points from 18 matches.[12] William Wilton, who joined the club in 1883 as match secretary, oversaw tactical and administrative advancements, including the recruitment of key players and ground enhancements, before his formal appointment as the first manager on 27 May 1899 following Rangers' incorporation as a limited company.[13] Under Wilton's leadership, the club transitioned to the second Ibrox Stadium in December 1899, a purpose-built venue with improved capacity and facilities costing approximately £10,000, which accommodated up to 70,000 spectators and symbolized the club's rising professional stature.[14] His tenure emphasized disciplined organization and youth development, yielding further successes such as the 1893–94 league title—the club's first outright win—and the inaugural Scottish Cup victory in 1894, alongside additional league championships in 1898–99 and subsequent seasons, establishing Rangers as a dominant force in Scottish football by the early 1900s.[15] Wilton's strategic focus on competitive edge and infrastructure laid foundational principles for long-term sustainability, though his era concluded tragically with his death in a boating accident on 2 May 1920.[16]Bill Struth's transformative era and interwar dominance
William Struth, born on 16 June 1875 in Edinburgh, joined Rangers as a trainer in 1914 after prior experience at Clyde, where he had implemented rigorous fitness regimes that elevated the club's performance, including two Scottish Cup final appearances in five years.[17][18] Following the death of manager William Wilton in a boating accident on 2 May 1920, Struth was appointed as Rangers' second manager in June 1920, initiating a 34-year tenure marked by unprecedented professionalism and success.[17][19] Struth transformed Rangers by enforcing strict discipline, mandating tailored physical training, and prohibiting alcohol consumption among players, practices that enhanced fitness levels and tactical cohesion far beyond prevailing norms in Scottish football.[17][19] He emphasized individual player conditioning and high moral standards, including requirements for players to dress formally off the pitch, fostering a culture of total commitment that revolutionized team preparation and contributed to sustained dominance.[20] These methods, rooted in Struth's background as a former athlete and trainer, addressed prior inconsistencies in player readiness and elevated Rangers' competitiveness against rivals like Celtic in the intensifying Old Firm rivalry.[21] Under Struth's leadership, Rangers secured the Scottish league title in his debut season of 1920–21, initiating a period of interwar supremacy with nine championships won between 1920 and 1939: 1920–21, 1922–23, 1923–24, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1933–34, and 1936–37, comprising 14 of the 19 available titles before World War II disrupted play.[17][21] This haul included a run of five consecutive titles from 1927–28 to 1930–31, underscoring organizational superiority amid economic challenges of the era. Complementing league success, Rangers claimed five Scottish Cups during the interwar years (1921, 1928, 1930, 1932, and 1936), achieving the first domestic double in 1927–28 by winning both the league and cup.[15][17] Struth's era also saw infrastructural enhancements at Ibrox Stadium, with expansions and improvements to accommodate growing attendances, reflecting the club's rising stature and financial stability from consistent victories.[22] By the outbreak of war in 1939, Rangers had established a benchmark for professionalism, amassing over 20 major domestic trophies in the interwar decades alone, a dominance attributable to Struth's uncompromising standards rather than mere talent acquisition.[23][19]Post-World War II achievements, Ibrox disaster, and European Cup Winners' Cup
Following the resumption of competitive Scottish football after World War II in the 1946–47 season, Rangers F.C. maintained their domestic preeminence, securing Scottish League titles in 1948–49, 1949–50, and 1952–53 under manager Bill Struth before his retirement.[24] Scot Symon succeeded Struth as manager on 15 June 1954 and led the club to six further League championships between 1955–56 and 1963–64, along with five Scottish Cups and six League Cups during his tenure.[25][26] These successes included a domestic treble in 1963–64, underscoring Rangers' sustained superiority in a league dominated by the Old Firm rivalry with Celtic.[26] Rangers also ventured into European competition during this period, reaching the European Cup Winners' Cup finals in 1961 (losing 0–4 on aggregate to Fiorentina) and 1967 (losing 0–1 to Bayern Munich), though domestic focus remained paramount.[26] However, tragedy struck on 2 January 1971 during an Old Firm league match against Celtic at Ibrox Stadium, when a crowd crush occurred on Stairway 13 as supporters surged back into the stadium following a late equalizing goal by Celtic's Jimmy Johnstone.[27] The incident resulted in 66 deaths—all Rangers fans—and approximately 200 injuries, marking the deadliest disaster in British football history at the time and prompting a comprehensive inquiry that attributed the cause to outdated wooden terracing and poor crowd flow design.[27][28] The disaster accelerated Ibrox's redevelopment, with the Copland Road stand rebuilt and safety standards overhauled under incoming manager Willie Waddell, who prioritized infrastructure improvements alongside on-field performance.[26] In the ensuing 1971–72 season, Rangers achieved their greatest European success by winning the European Cup Winners' Cup, defeating Dynamo Moscow 3–2 in the final at Barcelona's Camp Nou on 10 February 1972, with goals from Peter McCloy (own goal), Colin Stein, and Willie Johnston securing the victory despite a late pitch invasion by fans that briefly halted play.[29][30] This triumph, Rangers' only major European trophy, came amid heightened scrutiny from UEFA over crowd behavior but affirmed the club's competitive resurgence post-tragedy.[29]The 9-in-a-row era under Graeme Souness, Walter Smith, and David Murray's ownership
Graeme Souness became Rangers' player-manager in April 1986, succeeding Jock Wallace and introducing a strategy of recruiting high-profile players from English clubs to challenge the dominance of Aberdeen and Celtic. His initial signings included England goalkeeper Chris Woods from Norwich City and captain Terry Butcher from Ipswich Town, investments that exceeded £1 million combined and established new benchmarks for transfer fees in Scottish football. These moves revitalized the squad, leading to Rangers' first Scottish League Cup victory in 1986–87, secured 1–0 against Celtic in the final on 28 November 1986.[31][32] David Murray, a steel magnate, acquired control of the club on 23 November 1988 by purchasing a majority stake from Lawrence Marlborough for approximately £6 million, injecting capital that facilitated further recruitment and infrastructure improvements. Under this ownership and Souness's leadership, Rangers ended a nine-year league title drought by winning the 1988–89 Scottish Premier Division, clinched with a 5–1 victory over Aberdeen on 23 April 1989, achieving a double with the Scottish League Cup. Success continued with league titles in 1989–90 and 1990–91, plus additional League Cup triumphs in 1987–88, 1988–89, and 1990–91, amassing 21 points or more in each championship season and relying on prolific scoring from Ally McCoist, who netted 94 league goals across Souness's tenure.[33][34][31] Souness departed for Liverpool in April 1991 after five years, having transformed Rangers into title contenders through bold spending backed by Murray's resources. Walter Smith, his assistant since 1986, assumed the managerial role and sustained the momentum, securing the 1991–92 league title by 12 points over Aberdeen and completing the nine consecutive championships with the 1996–97 crown, confirmed via a 5–1 win against Tannadice on 3 May 1997. Smith's era added Scottish Cup wins in 1992 (2–1 vs. Airdrieonians), 1993 (2–1 vs. Aberdeen), and 1996 (5–2 vs. Hearts), alongside League Cups in 1992–93, 1993–94, and 1996–97, with defensive solidity from players like Richard Gough and Ian Durrant underpinning the dominance that yielded over 100 points in multiple seasons.[35][36][37]Decline, managerial instability, and financial warning signs (2000s)
Following the successes of the late 1990s, Rangers secured Scottish Premier League titles in the 1999–2000 and 2000–01 seasons under Dick Advocaat, but the club experienced a relative decline in domestic dominance during the 2000s, winning only three additional league championships (2002–03, 2004–05, and 2008–09) amid Celtic's resurgence under Martin O'Neill and Gordon Strachan, who claimed five titles between 2001–02 and 2007–08.[38] This shift reflected broader challenges, including inconsistent squad depth and failure to consistently qualify beyond group stages in UEFA competitions, with Rangers exiting the Champions League qualifiers early in multiple seasons and managing only sporadic deeper runs in the UEFA Cup.[39] Managerial transitions exacerbated on-field inconsistencies, beginning with Advocaat's departure in December 2001 after reported boardroom tensions and his dual role with the Netherlands national team.[40] Alex McLeish, promoted from within as assistant, stabilized the side to win titles in 2002–03 and 2004–05, alongside domestic cups, but his tenure ended in June 2006 amid speculation of a move to the Scotland national team and frustrations over transfer budgets.[40] The appointment of Paul Le Guen in May 2006 marked a bold shift to a continental coach, but his seven-month stint yielded poor results, including a League Cup quarter-final exit and a fifth-place league standing by January 2007, leading to his resignation after conflicts with club legends and squad unrest.[41] [42] Interim coach Ian Durrant managed briefly from January to April 2007, overseeing a mid-table position that underscored the instability, before Walter Smith returned for a second spell in May 2007, leveraging his prior success to rebuild cohesion.[40] Smith's Rangers clinched titles in 2008–09, 2009–10, and 2010–11, reaching the 2008 UEFA Cup final, yet the frequent leadership changes—four permanent managers from 1998 to 2007—highlighted internal divisions and a reactive approach to Celtic's spending under owner Dermot Desmond.[40] Financially, under chairman David Murray, Rangers pursued aggressive player acquisitions to match Celtic's investments, incurring rising debts financed by loans from the Bank of Scotland, which totaled tens of millions by the mid-2000s and became unsustainable after the bank's 2008 bailout and stricter oversight by Lloyds.[43] The introduction of Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) from 2001 onward allowed tax-deferred payments exceeding £47 million to players and staff through offshore trusts, masking true wage costs and enabling high-profile signings without immediate balance-sheet strain, though this scheme later faced HMRC scrutiny for potential tax avoidance.[44] By the late 2000s, operating losses mounted—reaching £10 million projected for 2012–13—amid declining European revenue and over-reliance on domestic gates, signaling structural vulnerabilities despite reported occasional profits from player sales.[43] These practices, while initially sustaining competitiveness, eroded fiscal prudence and foreshadowed the club's 2012 administration.[34]Insolvency, liquidation, and the newco debate
Rangers Football Club plc entered administration on 14 February 2012 after HMRC rejected a settlement and pursued court action over an unpaid £9 million tax bill related to PAYE and VAT liabilities.[8][45] This followed Craig Whyte's acquisition of the club in May 2011, during which he secured funding by pre-selling three years of season tickets worth approximately £24 million to Ticketus to repay a £18 million secured debt to Lloyds Banking Group, leaving the club with mounting operational debts despite claims of inheriting a debt-free entity.[46][47] Administrators from Duff & Phelps were appointed, estimating total creditor claims could exceed £134 million, including unsecured debts from suppliers, players, and HMRC's larger disputed claims over employee benefit trusts (EBTs) totaling around £49 million.[48] Attempts to rescue the club via a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) failed when major creditors, led by HMRC, rejected the proposal on 14 June 2012, citing insufficient repayment terms of 20 pence per pound for unsecured claims.[45] This rejection triggered the liquidation process, as the CVA was the primary mechanism to avoid it, prompting administrators to sell the club's assets—including player registrations, Ibrox Stadium lease, and intellectual property—to a new entity, Sevco Scotland Ltd (later renamed Rangers Football Club Ltd), controlled by businessman Charles Green, for £5.5 million on the same day.[8] The old Rangers Football Club plc formally entered liquidation on 31 October 2012 after creditors ended the administration, with liquidators BDO pursuing further recovery from prior directors and investigating Whyte's conduct, though Whyte was later acquitted of fraud charges in 2017.[49][50][51] The formation of the "newco"—the purchaser of the old company's assets—sparked intense debate over whether it constituted a continuation of the original Rangers or an entirely new club, influencing league membership and title recognition. Supporters of continuity, including Rangers officials and fans, argued that the transfer of tangible assets, squad, stadium, and historical trademarks preserved the club's identity, a position later endorsed by FIFA in 2015 to protect competitive integrity and avoid disputes over past achievements like league titles.[52] Critics, primarily rival clubs and some Scottish Premier League (SPL) members, contended that liquidation legally terminated the old entity, treating the newco as a fresh start ineligible for immediate top-flight entry without honoring oldco debts or penalties, such as a 10-point deduction for administration or investigations into EBT player payments breaching SPL rules.[53] This led to SPL clubs voting 10-1 against newco admission in July 2012, forcing a start in the Scottish Third Division, though no retrospective title stripping occurred as UEFA and FIFA deferred to domestic bodies without mandating it.[54] The debate highlighted tensions in Scottish football governance, with some attributing opposition to competitive rivalry rather than strict principle, as evidenced by the Scottish Football League's eventual acceptance amid financial incentives for lower-tier clubs.[55]Exile in lower leagues and path to Premiership return
In June 2012, HMRC rejected a proposed company voluntary arrangement for Rangers' holding company, leading to its insolvency proceedings and the formation of a new entity, initially Sevco Scotland Ltd, which acquired the club's assets, intellectual property, and player registrations for £5.5 million.[7] This new company, later renamed The Rangers Football Club Ltd under a consortium led by businessman Charles Green, was denied transfer to the Scottish Premier League by a 10–1 vote of member clubs and instead admitted to the Scottish Football League's Third Division—the lowest tier—for the 2012–13 season following a 25–5 vote by SFL clubs.[56] [57] Under manager Ally McCoist, Rangers dominated the Third Division in 2012–13, securing the title with 87 points from 36 matches, including a 23-match unbeaten run, and averaging over 6,000 home attendances despite the tier's obscurity.[57] The following season, 2013–14, they won the Scottish League One championship by 29 points, clinching promotion to the second tier with key contributions from forwards Nicky Clark and Lee McCulloch. McCoist departed in January 2015 amid boardroom tensions and poor results, replaced briefly by Kenny McDowall and then interim manager Stuart McCall, under whom Rangers finished third in the 2014–15 Scottish Championship with 74 points but lost the promotion playoff final 2–1 on aggregate to Motherwell.[57] In May 2015, English manager Mark Warburton was appointed, bringing a possession-based style and signings like midfielder Jason Holt and forwards Kenny Miller and Barrie McKay. Rangers won the 2015–16 Scottish Championship title with 91 points from 36 games, sealing automatic promotion to the Scottish Premiership on 1 April 2016 after a 5–1 victory over Dumbarton, thus ending four years in the lower divisions.[57] This rapid ascent, fueled by strong fan support—evidenced by over 30,000 season-ticket sales annually—and financial backing from investors like Laxey Partners, restored Rangers to the top flight for the 2016–17 season, though debates persisted over whether the new entity constituted continuity of the original club or a phoenix operation, with UEFA recognizing it as the same entity for licensing purposes.[56]Revival under Steven Gerrard and sustained competitiveness
Steven Gerrard was appointed as Rangers manager on 4 May 2018, signing a four-year contract effective from 1 June 2018, marking his first senior managerial role after coaching Liverpool's youth teams.[58][59] In his debut season (2018–19), Rangers finished second in the Scottish Premiership, nine points behind Celtic, while advancing to the UEFA Europa League group stage for the first time since 2010 by defeating teams including FC Midtjylland and Maribor in qualifying rounds.[60] The following campaign (2019–20) saw Rangers again secure second place, trailing Celtic by just one point when the season was prematurely ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Gerrard's side also claiming the Scottish League Cup on 8 December 2019 after a 1–0 victory over Celtic in the final.[61] The pinnacle came in the 2020–21 season, where Rangers clinched the Scottish Premiership title—their 55th league championship and first since 2011—on 7 March 2021 following Celtic's 0–0 draw with Dundee United, ending Celtic's nine-year dominance.[62] The team completed the campaign unbeaten across 38 matches, a feat achieved with a 4–0 win over Aberdeen on 16 May 2021, scoring 102 goals and conceding only 13, with key contributions from captain James Tavernier (18 goals, 16 assists).[63] In Europe, Rangers progressed to the UEFA Europa League round of 16 that season, defeating Standard Liège, Lech Poznań, and Royal Antwerp in the group stage before elimination by Slavia Prague.[64] Gerrard's tenure fostered sustained competitiveness through disciplined recruitment, tactical organization, and a focus on high-pressing play, enabling Rangers to challenge Celtic consistently and maintain top-table contention into the 2021–22 season.[65] By November 2021, when Gerrard departed for Aston Villa, Rangers led the Premiership by four points after 14 matches and sat second in their Europa League group, having won four and drawn one of six domestic games post-international break.[66] This period marked a revival from post-liquidation struggles, with Rangers accumulating 102 points in the title-winning season and demonstrating resilience in qualifiers and knockouts, though domestic cup finals eluded them beyond the 2019–20 success.[61]Post-Gerrard turbulence: Van Bronckhorst's Europa final, Beale's struggles, Clement's tenure, and Danny Rohl's 2025 appointment
Following Steven Gerrard's departure to Aston Villa on 11 November 2021, Giovanni van Bronckhorst was appointed Rangers manager on 18 November 2021, returning to the club where he had played from 1998 to 2001. In his first season, van Bronckhorst led Rangers to the 2022 UEFA Europa League final, overcoming Braga in the quarter-finals and RB Leipzig in the semi-finals, but they were defeated 5-4 on penalties by Eintracht Frankfurt on 18 May 2022 after a 1-1 draw.[67] Domestically, Rangers finished third in the 2021–22 Scottish Premiership, seven points behind champions Celtic, and exited the Scottish Cup in the semi-finals.[68] Van Bronckhorst's tenure saw mixed results, with a 61.76% win rate across 69 matches, including heavy investment in players like Álvaro Morata on loan, yet persistent issues in training intensity, pre-season preparation, and recruitment contributed to declining form.[69] By November 2022, Rangers trailed Celtic by nine points in the league after 15 games, prompting his sacking on 21 November 2022, just 368 days after appointment.[68] [70] Michael Beale succeeded van Bronckhorst on 28 November 2022, having previously assisted Gerrard at Rangers and QPR.[71] Beale's stint was marked by early promise, including a 2–1 League Cup final win over Hibernian on 21 February 2023, but quickly deteriorated with defensive frailties and inconsistent attacking output.[72] Rangers suffered a humiliating 7–3 aggregate defeat to PSV Eindhoven in the 2023–24 Champions League third qualifying round, failing to reach the group stage despite domestic qualification.[73] Fan dissatisfaction grew over Beale's tactical decisions, such as over-reliance on wide crosses (455 attempted in one analyzed period) and poor summer 2023 signings like Cyriel Dessers, who struggled with goal-scoring efficiency.[69] [72] By September 2023, four losses in seven league games left Rangers eight points behind Celtic, leading to Beale's dismissal on 2 October 2023 after less than 10 months and 42 matches.[71] Philippe Clement was appointed on 15 October 2023, replacing Beale amid a three-game losing streak. Clement initially stabilized the side, winning eight of his first nine league matches and securing a 3–0 Scottish League Cup final victory over Aberdeen on 17 December 2023, but Rangers finished second in the 2023–24 Premiership, seven points adrift of Celtic.[74] European progress included reaching the 2023–24 Europa League last 16, where they lost to Benfica, but domestic form waned in 2024–25 with early exits like a Scottish Cup shock to Queen's Park.[75] [76] Persistent challenges, including squad depth issues and failure to challenge Celtic effectively, culminated in Clement's sacking on 23 February 2025 after 16 months and approximately 80 matches, despite a brief title push earlier in the season.[77] [78] Following a brief period under Russell Martin, Danny Rohl was appointed head coach on 20 October 2025 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, having previously managed Sheffield Wednesday from October 2023 to July 2025 and held coaching roles at RB Leipzig, Southampton, and Bayern Munich.[79] [80] Rohl's hire followed rejections from candidates including Steven Gerrard, aiming to inject tactical discipline from his high-pressing background amid ongoing board scrutiny over recruitment and stability.[81] Early in his tenure, Rangers secured a 2–0 away victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie Stadium on 11 January 2026, with goals from Thelo Aasgaard and a penalty by captain James Tavernier, extending the team's winning streak to five matches and elevating them to second place in the Scottish Premiership.[82]Identity and symbolism
Crest evolution and meaning
The Rangers Football Club crest has featured variations of a heraldic shield design since the club's formation in 1872, with the earliest documented use appearing on items from the 1881-82 season.[83] This initial "Scroll Crest" incorporated the letters "RFC" within a ribbon scroll, symbolizing the club's foundational identity and often rendered in blue and white to align with its traditional colors.[83] Over subsequent decades, minor alterations occurred, such as adjustments to lettering and shading for clarity on match kits, including a period from 1990 to 1994 when the full phrase "Rangers Football Club" appeared on the scroll.[83] In 1968, the club introduced a more prominent lion rampant emblem, depicted as a red lion standing upright over a light blue soccer ball within a white circular border, drawing directly from Scotland's royal heraldry to evoke national strength and nobility.[84] This "Rampant Lion" element became integral to the crest, representing courage, ferocity, and the club's enduring competitive spirit, as the lion has signified Scottish monarchy since the reign of David I in the 12th century. The design served as the foundational template for future iterations, blending heraldic tradition with football symbolism to underscore Rangers' historical dominance in Scottish leagues.[85] The modern crest, refined in minor ways through the late 20th century, features a bold shield enclosing the red lion rampant against a royal blue field, flanked by intricate "RFC" lettering and evoking the club's 55 league titles as a marker of supremacy.[86] In summer 2020, Rangers unveiled an updated "Ready" crest as part of a brand evolution, enhancing precision and digital adaptability while preserving the core lion and scroll elements to maintain historical continuity and convey readiness for competition.[87] This iteration symbolizes the club's renewed vigor, rooted in its Protestant unionist heritage and Scottish identity, without altering the emblem's fundamental meaning of resilience and royal Scottish pride.[88][89]Traditional colours, kits, and commercial partnerships
Rangers Football Club's traditional kit features royal blue shirts paired with white shorts and black socks featuring red tops, a combination originating in the club's early years and retained as the home strip since 1873.[90] This design draws from the royal blue associated with Glasgow's industrial heritage and Protestant symbolism, distinguishing it from rivals' green hoops.[91] Away and third kits have varied, often incorporating white, red, or black bases to avoid clashes, with historical experiments like hooped patterns abandoned for fidelity to the primary scheme.[91] Kit manufacturing has shifted across decades to align with commercial strategies and performance needs. Early suppliers included Admiral in the 1980s and 1990s, followed by Nike from 1997 to 2002, Diadora from 2002 to 2005, and Umbro's initial stint from 2005 to 2013, during which the club won multiple titles.[92] Subsequent partnerships encompassed Adidas (1992–1997, with gaps), Puma (2013–2018), Hummel (2018–2020), and Castore (2020–2025), the latter criticized for quality issues despite initial five-year terms.[92][93] In May 2025, Umbro returned as supplier for the 2025–26 season onward, reviving a prior era of successful designs like the 2012–13 home kit.[94] Shirt sponsorships began in 1984 with CR Smith (1984–1987), evolving to McEwan's Lager's record 12-year run (1987–1999), which coincided with domestic dominance.[95] Later deals included NTL (1999–2002), Xara (2002–2005), and 32Red (2010–2017), with gaps during financial strains post-2012 liquidation.[95] As of October 2025, Unibet serves as principal shirt sponsor, appearing on the front of kits since 2021 in a multi-year extension valued for its scale amid competitive betting markets.[96] Additional partnerships include Boxt as sleeve sponsor and Seko Logistics for back-of-shirt branding through 2027, reflecting diversified revenue from logistics and property sectors.[96][97] These agreements prioritize financial stability over ideological alignment, with Unibet's deal reportedly exceeding prior benchmarks despite fan preferences for local brands.[95]Mascot and fan traditions
Broxi Bear serves as the official mascot of Rangers F.C., portrayed as a brown bear clad in the club's traditional blue kit with a blue nose and inner ears. The name derives from an anagram of Ibrox, the club's Glasgow stadium.[98] Broxi debuted on 13 November 1993 during a Scottish Premier Division match at Ibrox, which ended in a 2–2 draw against Raith Rovers attended by 42,657 spectators.[1] The mascot performs pre-match routines, including dancing, engaging with young fans through photographs, and leading cheers to build atmosphere.[99] Over time, Broxi has been joined by a fictional family, featuring "wife" Roxi and "son" Boris, who reappeared in 2017 for promotional events.[1] The character also competes annually in the SPFL Trust Trophy mascot race at Hamilton Park Racecourse since 2008.[100] Rangers supporters maintain a rich tradition of communal singing, with chants often drawing from Protestant hymns, unionist anthems, and adapted popular tunes to express loyalty and identity. "Follow Follow," adapted from the 1885 sea shanty "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" variant and first linked to Rangers in the early 20th century, remains a staple, evoking unwavering devotion: "Follow, follow, we will follow Rangers / Everywhere, everywhere, we will follow Rangers / Onward the Rangers we will follow you / Anywhere, anywhere that you may go / Though the straits be broad or narrow, follow we will, follow we will."[101][102] "The Sash My Father Wore," an Ulster loyalist song dating to the 17th-century Williamite wars, is frequently performed, symbolizing Protestant heritage.[103] Other enduring chants include "Simply the Best," a Tina Turner cover blasted over Ibrox speakers after goals since the 1990s to celebrate scoring; "We Are the People," asserting fan primacy with origins in early 20th-century supporter culture; and "Four Bears Had a Dream," referencing the 1872 founding by brothers Moses and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell, and William McBeath.[103][101] The nickname "Teddy Bears" stems from a 1908 chant, "Hello, hello, we are the Teddy Bears," endearing yet tied to the mascot's bear motif.[103] Physical traditions feature the "bouncy," a mass bouncing chant of "Let's all do the bouncy," and scarf-twirling during team entrances, fostering collective energy among the predominantly working-class, unionist-identifying fanbase.[101] These practices, while unifying, have drawn UEFA fines for sectarian content in songs like "The Billy Boys," originating from a 1920s Protestant gang but sung historically at matches until restrictions in the 2010s.[104]Stadium and infrastructure
Ibrox Stadium: History, expansions, and disasters
Ibrox Stadium was constructed on land purchased by Rangers in 1899 and opened on 30 December 1899 with a 6–1 league victory over Heart of Midlothian before 15,000 spectators.[14] Initially known as Ibrox Park, the ground featured basic terracing and a wooden pavilion, reflecting the era's rudimentary stadium designs that prioritized capacity over safety.[105] Early expansions focused on increasing standing room, with capacity reaching approximately 70,000 by the 1920s through additions to the enclosures.[14] The first disaster struck on 5 April 1902 during a Scotland versus England international match, attended by around 68,000 fans.[106] A surge of spectators rushing to view a late equalizing goal caused the wooden west terracing—supported by inadequate scaffolding—to collapse, killing 25 people, mostly young males, and injuring over 500 others; causes of death primarily included skull fractures from falls into the resulting 20-foot-deep void.[106][107] The incident exposed flaws in wooden construction under dynamic crowd loads, leading to a full rebuild of the affected stand using steel and concrete by architect Archibald Leitch, completed for the 1902–03 season at a cost exceeding £10,000.[105] Interwar expansions under manager Bill Struth elevated Ibrox to one of Europe's largest venues, with the 1928 demolition of the original pavilion and construction of a new grandstand, alongside terracing enhancements, pushing capacity to over 118,000 by 1939—evidenced by a record crowd of 118,567 for a Rangers-Celtic match that year.[14] Post-World War II renovations included floodlight installation in 1957 and enclosure upgrades in the 1960s, maintaining high attendances amid Scotland's industrial-era football culture.[105] The second major disaster occurred on 2 January 1971 during a Rangers-Celtic Old Firm match drawing 44,000 spectators, when a chain-reaction fall on the outdated Stairway 13—part of the narrow, inward-sloping concrete terracing—triggered a crush, resulting in 66 deaths from compressive asphyxia and over 200 injuries, with bodies piled up to six feet deep.[108][109] A subsequent Wheatley inquiry attributed the tragedy to inherent design flaws in the 1920s-era stairway, including insufficient width (only 4 feet in places) and poor crowd flow management, rather than solely hooliganism, prompting the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 and Rangers' commitment to all-seating.[110][109] In response, Rangers, under manager Willie Waddell, initiated phased reconstructions starting with the Main Stand in 1978–1981 (designed by Andy Young), followed by the 1979 Copland Road Stand (capacity 8,000) and the 1980s replacement of wooden sections with concrete terracing.[111] The 1990s saw the final major overhaul with the 1997 Govan Stand, converting the venue to fully seated and establishing a capacity of 50,411, later adjusted to 50,987 by 2023 through hospitality modifications—prioritizing safety while accommodating modern regulations.[105][112] These changes, driven by disaster-driven mandates, reduced maximum crowds but enhanced egress and structural integrity, influencing UK-wide stadium standards.[109]Training facilities and youth development hubs
The Rangers Training Centre, commonly referred to as Auchenhowie, functions as the club's primary facility for first-team training, reserve matches, and youth academy operations, located in Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire, approximately eight miles northwest of Ibrox Stadium.[113] [114] Opened in July 2001 following a £14 million investment by then-owner David Murray, it marked Scotland's inaugural purpose-built training complex dedicated to professional football development.[113] [115] Spanning 38 acres, the site encompasses seven full-size pitches—six outdoor grass surfaces and one indoor synthetic rubber pitch measuring 60 by 40 meters—supplemented by two half-size practice areas for technical drills.[116] [113] Supporting infrastructure includes a professional gym, hydrotherapy pools, saunas, medical treatment rooms, video analysis suites, and refurbished areas such as media facilities, kit rooms, and dining spaces, enabling year-round conditioning and tactical preparation.[115] [117] Ongoing upgrades, including pitch resurfacing and indoor enhancements, have addressed wear from intensive use since its construction.[116] [118] Youth development hubs are integrated within Auchenhowie, housing the Rangers Academy's structure from under-9 to under-19 squads, where prospects train alongside senior players to bridge grassroots talent to professional pathways.[119] The academy emphasizes technical proficiency and physical conditioning on the shared pitches and specialized zones, with ancillary support from on-site sports science and coaching staff.[120] Funding for youth programs derives significantly from the Rangers Youth Development Company, which has channeled over £12 million since 2002 via lottery and merchandise initiatives to sustain scouting, coaching, and facility access.[121] While primary operations remain centralized at Auchenhowie, supplementary grassroots sessions under the Rangers Soccer Academy extend to regional sites across Scotland and Northern Ireland for ages 18 months to 15 years, feeding into the core hub.[119]Supporters, culture, and rivalries
Composition and demographics of the fanbase
The Rangers F.C. fanbase exhibits a strong geographic concentration in Scotland, particularly in areas with historical Protestant populations such as Glasgow's south side and surrounding regions, alongside substantial support in Northern Ireland due to cultural and familial ties. Significant expatriate communities contribute to its international presence, including in England, Canada, Australia, and the United States, reflecting patterns of Scottish migration. The club oversees 584 registered supporters' clubs (RSCs) across the globe, representing over 20,000 season ticket holders within those groups.[122] Rangers supporters also form the largest contingent among members of the Scotland national team's official supporters' club, based on Scottish Football Association data from December 2018.[123] Religiously, the fanbase aligns predominantly with Protestantism, though secularization has diversified identifications. The 2014 Scottish Social Attitudes Survey found that 56% of Rangers supporters self-identify as Protestant, 23% as having no religion, and 13% as Christian (without further denomination specified).[124] This distribution reflects broader trends of declining religious observance in Scotland while underscoring the club's enduring appeal within Protestant communities, historically rooted in Glasgow's industrial-era demographics. Ethnically, the supporters are overwhelmingly of white Scottish or British descent, with comparatively lower engagement from ethnic minority groups. Glasgow's Pakistani community, comprising about 10% of the city's population, shows a marked preference for Celtic F.C., as evidenced by a 2021 survey where a majority of respondents favored Celtic and 86% expressed interest in supporting a new club catering to Asian or Muslim fans.[48] [125] Such patterns stem from Celtic's origins as an Irish immigrant-founded club, contrasting with Rangers' traditional associations.Old Firm rivalry: Origins, intensity, and mutual influences
The Old Firm rivalry between Rangers F.C. and Celtic F.C. traces its origins to the clubs' foundings amid Glasgow's rapid industrialization and mass Irish immigration in the late 19th century. Rangers was established in March 1872 by four teenagers—Peter McNeil, Moses McNeil, Peter Campbell, and William McBeath—initially as an amateur side playing on Glasgow Green, drawing early support from the local Protestant community.[10] Celtic emerged on 6 November 1887, founded by Brother Walfrid (Andrew Kerins), an Irish Marist brother, explicitly to generate funds for the impoverished Irish Catholic population in Glasgow's East End through football exhibitions.[126] The clubs' first recorded meeting occurred in a friendly on 28 May 1888, which Celtic won 5–2, though competitive fixtures began in the Scottish League from 1890 onward, coinciding with both teams' ascent to dominance. The rivalry's moniker, "Old Firm," likely originated in the early 1900s from a satirical cartoon in the Scottish Referee newspaper, depicting the clubs as a lucrative commercial duo whose matches guaranteed high attendances and gate receipts, irrespective of on-pitch outcomes.[127] Sectarian undercurrents, rooted in Scotland's 16th-century Reformation and the Plantation of Ulster, amplified the divide as Celtic symbolized Irish Catholic nationalism and resilience against discrimination, while Rangers aligned with British Unionism and Protestant identity. This manifested asymmetrically in Rangers' unwritten policy, enforced from the 1920s until 1989, of refusing to sign Catholic players—a practice Celtic did not mirror, though both fanbases embodied entrenched communal loyalties.[128] Maurice Johnston's transfer from Celtic to Rangers on 10 July 1989, as the first high-profile Catholic signing for the club, shattered this taboo amid financial incentives and competitive pressures, though it provoked backlash from traditionalist supporters.[128] The rivalry's intensity stems from its existential stakes in title races, with over 430 matches played across league and cup competitions by 2025, including Rangers holding a slight edge in victories (approximately 171 to Celtic's 170 in aggregated tallies).[129] Fixtures routinely draw crowds exceeding 50,000 at Ibrox or Celtic Park, fueling national obsession and occasional eruptions of fan violence, such as pitch invasions or street clashes, which have prompted measures like alcohol bans at Scottish stadiums post-1980 Hampden Park incidents.[129] Empirical data links games to societal harms, including spikes in reported domestic violence—e.g., a 43% increase in incidents following certain derbies, attributed to excess alcohol consumption among supporters, per police records—and broader disorder, with studies from 2008–2011 documenting elevated abuse reports in the 24 hours post-match.[130][131] These patterns underscore causal ties between the matches' emotional fervor and real-world aggression, distinct from mere sporting passion. Mutual influences have propelled both clubs' preeminence, alternating dominance—Celtic's nine consecutive Scottish titles from 1965–1974, Rangers' nine from 1988–1997—while fostering financial symbiosis through shared revenue streams and European qualification incentives.[132] The duopoly has concentrated talent and investment, enabling sustained success (Rangers with 55 league titles, Celtic 53 as of 2025) but arguably stifling broader league competitiveness, as non-Old Firm winners have claimed the title in only four seasons since 1980.[132] Rivalry-driven pressures have spurred tactical innovations, player recruitment escalations, and cultural exports, embedding the fixture in global football lore, yet also perpetuating zero-sum perceptions that prioritize mutual antagonism over collaborative growth in Scottish football's ecosystem.[133]Sectarianism: Historical policies, fan behaviors, and comparative analysis with Celtic
Rangers Football Club maintained an unwritten policy of avoiding the signing of Catholic players, which became entrenched from the interwar period onward to align with its predominantly Protestant fanbase and broader unionist sentiments in Scottish society.[128] This practice, while not formally documented, effectively excluded Catholics from the squad for over six decades, with early exceptions in the club's formative years giving way to stricter adherence by the 1920s.[134] The policy's end came on July 10, 1989, when manager Graeme Souness signed Maurice Johnston, a Catholic forward previously with Celtic, for a then-club record £1.5 million, marking the first high-profile Catholic acquisition and sparking immediate backlash from some supporters, including protests and membership resignations from affiliated groups like the Protestant Rangers Supporters Association.[128][135] Rangers fans have historically expressed sectarian views through chants targeting Catholics and Irish nationalists, such as the "Famine Song" referencing the Irish Potato Famine or songs invoking Ulster Volunteer Force figures and anti-Pope sentiments.[136][137] These behaviors, often tied to loyalist and Orange Order affiliations among supporters, have led to repeated UEFA sanctions, including a €40,000 fine and away fan ban in April 2011 for sectarian singing during a Europa League match against PSV Eindhoven, and a partial Ibrox closure in August 2019 following chants in a game versus Legia Warsaw.[138][139] Incidents of anti-Catholic abuse persist, with police investigations into group chants in Glasgow city center in August 2021 and at Ibrox events in May 2021, though the club has challenged some video evidence and initiated anti-sectarian campaigns like "Proud to be a Ranger."[136][140] In comparison to Celtic, whose fanbase draws from Irish Catholic immigrant communities and features republican symbolism including Irish tricolour flags and chants honoring IRA figures like those in the "Roll of Honour" song, Rangers' sectarianism manifests more through explicit anti-Catholic exclusion historically and unionist paramilitary references, whereas Celtic's emphasizes pro-nationalist solidarity.[141] UEFA has fined both clubs for supporter misconduct: Celtic faced investigation and fines for sectarian chanting in UEFA competitions as early as 2008, similar to Rangers' penalties, indicating mutual culpability in perpetuating religious-political divides rather than one-sided aggression.[141][138] Empirical data from Scottish Government surveys, such as the 2015 study showing 4% of adults experiencing football-related sectarian incidents annually, underscore that while Rangers' pre-1989 policy institutionalized discrimination uniquely, both sets of fans contribute comparably to ongoing behaviors, with mainstream media coverage often amplifying Rangers' issues amid broader institutional skepticism toward Protestant unionist expressions.[142]Political dimensions: Unionism, nationalism, and fan expressions
Rangers F.C. supporters have long been linked to British unionism, emphasizing loyalty to the United Kingdom and opposition to Scottish separatism, rooted in the club's Protestant heritage and historical ties to institutions like the Orange Order. This stance manifests in displays of Union Jack flags at Ibrox Stadium and matches, symbolizing commitment to the British state over nationalist dissolution.[143] [144] The affinity extends to Northern Ireland, where Rangers draws significant support from unionist communities, reinforcing cross-border British identity.[143] Fan expressions of unionism include chants like "Rule Britannia," "God Save the King," and "I Was Born Under a Union Jack," which affirm monarchist and imperial sentiments during games.[145] The Union Bears, the club's principal ultras group, embody this through banners targeting Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) policies and promoting Protestant unionist ideology, such as anti-independence messaging since the 2014 referendum.[146] Other songs, including "No Surrender" adapted against Irish republicanism, highlight resistance to nationalism perceived as threatening British unity. These practices, while not universal, predominate among core supporters and contrast with expressions of Irish or Scottish separatism elsewhere in Scottish football.[147] Regarding nationalism, Rangers fandom prioritizes a dual Scottish-British identity over exclusive Scottish nationalism, with surveys showing diminished enthusiasm for the Scotland national team amid rising pro-independence sentiment in broader society—68% of fans reported decreased support post-2012 due to associations with separatism.[123] Polling data indicate lower backing for independence among Rangers supporters, around 35% in recent assessments, compared to national averages exceeding 45%, reflecting empirical resistance to SNP-driven constitutional change.[123] While 55% of fans in a 2020 survey deemed unionism non-essential to identity, the prevailing expressions sustain the club's role as a bastion of integrated British patriotism in Scotland.[123] [144]Alliances and friendships with other clubs
Rangers F.C. maintains notable friendships with select clubs, primarily driven by longstanding supporter affinities rather than formal competitive alliances. These relationships often trace back to shared cultural and historical ties among fanbases, particularly those aligned with Protestant and Unionist identities, contrasting with the club's domestic rivalries. Official club partnerships have formalized some of these bonds in recent years, facilitating exchanges in youth development, coaching, and fan engagement.[148] A prominent example is the partnership with Hamburger SV (HSV) of Germany, rooted in fan connections established during the 1970s through European competitions and mutual supporter travel. The friendship parallels affiliations between HSV's rivals St. Pauli and Rangers' opponents Celtic, reflecting divided loyalties in Hamburg mirroring Glasgow's sectarian dynamics. On February 10, 2021, the clubs formalized their relationship with a cooperation agreement, enabling joint initiatives such as player loans, scouting collaborations, and fan events to strengthen bilateral ties. This partnership builds on decades of goodwill, with HSV supporters viewing Rangers as kindred spirits due to similar club histories and fan cultures.[149][150] Supporter-level affinities extend to Chelsea F.C. in England, where the "Blues Brothers" moniker encapsulates a bond dating to the early 20th century, allegedly influenced by Chelsea's founding connections to Scottish football and shared blue kits. The relationship deepened in the 1980s amid England's European competition ban, as Chelsea fans accompanied Rangers supporters on continental trips, fostering joint chants and pub gatherings in London that persist today. While not an official club pact, this grassroots alliance manifests in mutual respect during matches and coordinated fan displays, with estimates of overlapping supporter groups in the thousands based on attendance overlaps and online communities.[151] In Northern Ireland, Rangers share a close association with Linfield F.C., another "Blues" club with parallel Protestant and Unionist supporter demographics, originating from friendly matches as early as 1912 and reinforced by cross-community visits. The clubs have hosted pre-season friendlies, including discussions for one in 2021 under manager Steven Gerrard, and maintain active fan exchanges through shared events and travel. This link underscores Rangers' broader appeal in unionist areas, where Linfield supporters often align with Rangers against Irish nationalist counterparts, evidenced by joint marches and supporter clubs numbering in the hundreds.[152][153] Other historical connections include Eintracht Frankfurt, symbolized by a 1960s bowler hat exchange from a European tie, though these remain more anecdotal than institutionalized. Such friendships, while enriching Rangers' global network, occasionally draw scrutiny for their cultural underpinnings but are substantiated by consistent fan interactions and club acknowledgments over decades.[154]Ownership, finances, and governance
Early incorporation and private ownership
Rangers Football Club was established in March 1872 by four young men—brothers Peter McNeil and Moses McNeil, Peter Campbell, and William McBeath—who, as rowing enthusiasts, decided to form a football team after observing a match on Glasgow Green.[15][26] The group played their first fixture in May 1872 against Callander, a team of older boys, marking the informal beginnings of the club on rented grounds around Glasgow.[15] Initially operating as an amateur association without formal legal structure, the club progressed by joining the Scottish Football Alliance in 1891 and turning professional, which necessitated a more organized governance to manage growing operations, player contracts, and finances.[15] On 27 May 1899, Rangers incorporated as The Rangers Football Club Limited, a private limited company under Scottish law, to limit personal liability for directors and provide a stable entity for asset ownership, including grounds and revenues from matches.[155] This transition aligned with broader trends in British football, where clubs sought corporate form to handle increasing commercialization and legal risks, appointing William Wilton, previously match secretary, as the first manager to oversee operations.[15] The incorporation established a board of directors, chaired initially by figures like James Henderson, drawn from Glasgow's business elite, who invested personally to fund developments such as early ground improvements at Ibrox.[156] Under this private ownership model, control rested with a small group of shareholders—primarily local industrialists, merchants, and long-serving directors—whose stakes ensured decisions prioritized club stability over external speculation.[157] No individual or entity held a majority shareholding exceeding 50% during the early decades, fostering collective governance through board elections and annual general meetings, with funds reinvested into team building and infrastructure rather than dividends.[158] This structure persisted through the interwar period and post-World War II expansions, sustaining Rangers' competitive edge in Scottish football via prudent financial management, though reliant on gate receipts and cup winnings amid limited external investment.[15] By the mid-20th century, key directors like John L. Bain and later figures maintained this diffuse private control, avoiding the public listings common in English clubs until economic pressures in the 1980s prompted consolidation under influential stakeholders like Lawrence Marlborough's group in 1985.[158]David Murray's flotation, EBT scheme, and expansion
In November 1988, businessman David Murray acquired a controlling 69.95% stake in Rangers from Lawrence Marlborough for £6 million, marking the beginning of his 23-year involvement with the club as owner and chairman.[159][34] Under his leadership, Rangers pursued aggressive financial strategies to fund player acquisitions and infrastructure growth, including the club's listing on the London Stock Exchange in May 1991 as Rangers F.C. plc, which transitioned it from a private to a public limited company and raised initial capital for expansion.[160] This flotation enabled Murray to leverage public investment amid rising transfer spending, with the club signing high-profile players like Graeme Souness in 1986 (pre-Murray but continued) and later Paul Gascoigne in 1995 for a then-British record £4.3 million, contributing to nine consecutive Scottish Premier League titles from 1989 to 1997.[33] A key element of Murray's financial approach was the implementation of an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) scheme through the Murray Group Management Remuneration Trust, active from May 2001 to 2010, which distributed approximately £47.4 million in tax-free "loans" to 85 beneficiaries, including players, executives, and Murray himself (receiving £6.3 million).[161][162] The scheme involved remuneration paid into offshore trusts in Jersey, with recipients receiving letters of wishes for distributions disguised as non-taxable loans rather than salary, allowing Rangers to attract talent without immediate PAYE or National Insurance deductions—potentially saving the club millions in payroll taxes.[163] HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) challenged the arrangement as disguised remuneration, leading to a 2017 Supreme Court ruling upholding tax liabilities estimated at up to £50 million for the oldco Rangers entity, though Murray maintained it was lawful and provided no sporting advantage, denying any cheating occurred.[163][164] Critics, including HMRC and liquidators, argued the EBTs contributed to unsustainable debt accumulation, with a 2022 settlement revealing a £48.8 million claim that factored into the club's 2012 insolvency, as repayments could have exceeded assets.[165] Murray's tenure also drove physical and commercial expansion, particularly at Ibrox Stadium, where a £4 million extension in the early 1990s added capacity and modern facilities following his 1988 takeover, increasing overall attendance potential amid domestic dominance.[105] Further developments included the 1998 opening of the 6,000-seat Club Deck on the Copland Road Stand, funded partly through flotation proceeds and sponsorships, elevating Ibrox to a 50,411 all-seater venue compliant with post-Hillsborough safety standards.[166] Beyond the stadium, Murray pursued broader regeneration, securing 2008 Glasgow City Council approval for a £350 million masterplan encompassing residential flats, hotels, and commercial spaces around Ibrox to generate non-football revenue, though economic downturns and regulatory hurdles limited realization.[166] These initiatives, alongside EBT-enabled signings, propelled Rangers to 15 league titles and European campaigns, but escalating bank loans—reaching £24 million by 2009 with a floating charge from Bank of Scotland in 1999—exposed vulnerabilities when revenues faltered.[34] Murray relinquished the chairmanship in August 2009 to Alastair Johnston amid mounting debts, selling his shares to Craig Whyte for £1 in May 2011.[167]Craig Whyte era, tax disputes, and 2012 liquidation
In May 2011, Craig Whyte, a British businessman, acquired an 85.3% majority shareholding in Rangers Football Club plc from Sir David Murray's Murray International Holdings for a nominal £1, simultaneously clearing the club's £17 million bank debt to Lloyds Banking Group using funds he claimed to have personally provided, totaling around £33 million for the takeover and working capital.[168][169][170] Whyte assumed control amid ongoing scrutiny over his business history, including prior insolvencies, but positioned the purchase as a means to stabilize and invest in the club without immediate additional shareholder funding.[171] Following the takeover, Rangers faced acute financial pressures exacerbated by Whyte's operational decisions, including the cessation of payments for pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) taxes and national insurance contributions to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) starting in November 2011, which accumulated into an unpaid bill of approximately £9 million by early 2012.[8][172] This immediate tax delinquency, distinct from the club's longer-standing dispute over its Employee Benefit Trust (EBT) scheme used between 2001 and 2010 under previous ownership—which HMRC contested as taxable disguised remuneration potentially owing up to £49 million—triggered HMRC's winding-up petition against the club.[173][174] The EBT case, involving £47.65 million in trust payments to players and staff, added to the club's precarious position as legal proceedings loomed, though it remained unresolved at the time and pertained to historical practices rather than Whyte's direct actions.[175] On 14 February 2012, Rangers entered administration under Duff & Phelps, appointed by the Court of Session after HMRC rejected Whyte's proposals and amid revelations that Whyte had funded the takeover via pre-sale ticket revenues from Ticketus, creating secured creditor claims that complicated restructuring.[8][176] The Scottish Premier League imposed a 10-point deduction, severely impacting the club's title aspirations, while administrators sought a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) to avoid liquidation, proposing creditor repayment plans that Whyte supported but which prioritized his and Ticketus's interests.[172] Creditors, led by HMRC which held an estimated £21 million claim including the unpaid taxes and other liabilities, rejected the CVA on 14 June 2012 by a vote of 76% against, primarily due to dissatisfaction with the proposed 20-pence-per-pound recovery rate and perceived inequities favoring secured parties.[8] Administrators promptly sold the club's business, assets, and Ibrox Stadium to a new entity, Sevco Scotland Ltd (later Rangers Football Club Ltd), for £5.5 million under Charles Green, allowing football operations to continue but terminating the old company's SPL membership.[8] The Rangers Football Club plc entered creditors' voluntary liquidation on 31 October 2012, with total debts exceeding £134 million, including £20 million owed to Ticketus and unresolved tax claims; Whyte was later disqualified from directorship for 15 years in 2015 for misconduct in the affair.[177]Formation of the newco, legal challenges, and title stripping controversy
Following the rejection of a proposed Company Voluntary Arrangement by HMRC on 12 June 2012, which precluded the old company's exit from administration, the administrators sold Rangers' business and assets—including player contracts, Ibrox Stadium lease, and intellectual property—to Sevco Scotland Ltd for £5.5 million.[7] Sevco Scotland Ltd, incorporated on 29 May 2012 under the leadership of businessman Charles Green and his consortium, was established explicitly to facilitate this acquisition and continue football operations.[178] The entity was later renamed The Rangers Football Club Ltd, marking the formation of the "newco" that succeeded the liquidated Rangers Football Club plc (subsequently RFC 2012 plc, entering formal liquidation on 31 October 2012).[179] The newco promptly applied to the Scottish Football Association (SFA) for membership, which was granted as an associate member on 27 July 2012, permitting retention of the club's historical identity, registration, and pre-2012 honours upon meeting share issuance requirements. However, on 4 July 2012, Scottish Premier League (SPL) clubs voted 10–2 against transferring the oldco's SPL share to the newco, primarily due to unresolved queries over ownership transparency, creditor treatment, and "fit and proper person" tests for directors.[180] This rejection compelled the newco to apply to the Scottish Football League (SFL), resulting in direct entry to the Third Division for the 2012–13 season amid protests from Rangers supporters, who viewed the demotion as punitive overreach by rival clubs. Legal efforts by fans and the club to challenge the SPL vote failed, with courts upholding the league's voting autonomy under its articles of association. Post-formation legal challenges encompassed tax disputes inherited from the oldco and disputes over sporting sanctions. The most prominent was the "big tax case" concerning Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs), through which the oldco remunerated 85 players and executives with over £47 million in tax-free loans from 2001 to 2010, circumventing income tax and National Insurance contributions. HMRC's claim progressed through tribunals, culminating in a 5 July 2017 Supreme Court ruling that these payments constituted taxable employment rewards, not discretionary loans, affirming HMRC's position and exposing systemic tax avoidance that enhanced the club's ability to attract talent during a dominant era.[163] However, with the oldco liquidated, recoveries were minimal, totaling under 10% for creditors after asset sales. The newco faced no direct liability, as SFA rules insulated it from predecessor penalties beyond membership conditions. The title stripping controversy stemmed from EBT-enabled successes, including nine SPL titles from 2003 to 2011. An SPL tribunal under Lord Nimmo Smith, reporting on 28 February 2013, determined the oldco breached SPL rules by omitting side-letter details of EBT entitlements from player registration forms, imposing a £250,000 fine (uncollectible post-liquidation) but declining to deem players ineligible or strip titles. The panel reasoned that EBTs were presumptively lawful under contemporaneous tax law, side letters did not alter contractual obligations to the league, and no evidence showed on-pitch advantages from the nondisclosure.[181] Following the 2017 Supreme Court verdict invalidating EBT tax treatment, renewed demands for sanctions—voiced by Celtic supporters, Aberdeen fan groups, and outlets like the Daily Record—argued the scheme equated to undeclared financial doping, distorting competition by freeing funds for superior signings unavailable to tax-compliant rivals.[182] The Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), successor to the SPL, rebuffed these calls on 27 July 2017, stating the Nimmo Smith findings remained binding, no fresh evidence warranted rehearing, and altering historical outcomes lacked precedent or jurisdiction over a defunct entity. Critics, including former Celtic players like Darren O'Dea, labeled this favoritism, citing perceived inconsistencies in Scottish football governance where rival clubs faced harsher penalties for lesser infractions.[183] Defenders countered that EBTs received provisional HMRC clearance until litigated, player eligibility hinged on registration compliance (not tax status), and retrospective nullification would destabilize precedents across sports. The impasse endures, fueling sectarian-tinged narratives in fan discourse, though empirical review shows EBTs correlated with Rangers' wage competitiveness—averaging 20–30% higher effective player pay versus peers—but without proven causation to title wins beyond on-field merit.[184]Post-liquidation ownership: Dave King, Douglas Park, and 2025 developments
Following the 2012 liquidation of the original Rangers Football Club and the formation of a new entity, Rangers International Football Club plc (RIFC), South African businessman Dave King, a former director of the old company, re-engaged with the club in early 2015 by acquiring approximately 15% of shares from existing holders, positioning himself as the largest individual shareholder.[185] In March 2015, King successfully orchestrated a shareholder revolt against the board led by Derek Llambias and Mike Ashley, securing a majority at an extraordinary general meeting and assuming the role of chairman.[186] Under King's leadership, which lasted until February 2020, the club invested heavily in squad rebuilding, culminating in the 2019–20 Scottish Premiership title after a nine-year absence from the top flight; however, King retained significant influence as the largest shareholder with around 13% stake into 2025.[187] Douglas Park, a Scottish businessman who first invested in RIFC shares in December 2014 alongside George Letham and George Taylor by purchasing Laxey's stake, emerged as a key backer during King's era and succeeded him as chairman in November 2020.[188] Park's tenure, ending with his resignation on April 4, 2023, involved overseeing Europa League final qualification in 2022 and continued financial support, though marked by operational challenges including high transfer spending and debt management; he held approximately 11.5% of shares as of January 2025, making him the second-largest individual investor behind King.[189][190] By early 2025, amid calls for substantial capital injection to compete with rivals Celtic and sustain European ambitions, King publicly endorsed and facilitated negotiations with a U.S.-based consortium led by investor Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises (the business arm of the NFL's San Francisco 49ers).[191] An agreement in principle for a controlling 51% stake was reached by March 14, 2025, following due diligence, with the deal valued at around £75 million for the acquisition portion, implying a £150 million club valuation.[192][193] The takeover completed on May 30, 2025, transitioning RIFC from public limited company to private limited status, adding new board directors including Cavenagh, Paraag Marathe (49ers Enterprises president), Mark Taber, Andrew Clayton, and Gene Schneur, while existing shareholders like Park retained minority positions.[194][195][196] King described the probability of completion as over 90% in May interviews, crediting the consortium's resources for restoring competitive edge, though some legacy directors such as Alastair Johnston stepped down post-deal.[197][198] Park continued as a major shareholder exceeding 5%, ensuring continuity amid the ownership shift.[199]Ongoing financial strategies, debts, and sustainability
In the financial year ending 30 June 2024, Rangers International Football Club plc reported a pre-tax loss of £17.2 million, attributed in part to a strategic business review and ongoing litigation costs, despite achieving record total income of £94.2 million, including core revenue of £88.3 million and commercial revenue of £67 million.[200][201] Gross debt increased to £27.8 million, primarily from director loans rising to £22.3 million, resulting in net debt doubling from the prior year, though the club maintained liquidity through operational cash flows and shareholder support.[202] Debt management strategies have centered on conversions to equity, with £9 million of loans converted during the 2024 financial year and an additional £9 million post-year-end, alongside £4 million in new debt funding from investors, reducing immediate repayment pressures while bolstering the balance sheet.[203] In February 2025, the club issued over 26 million new shares, diluting existing holdings but injecting capital to address liquidity needs amid persistent operating losses.[204] These measures reflect a reliance on shareholder infusions rather than external borrowing, with director loans forming the bulk of liabilities, a pattern sustained since the post-2012 reconstruction to avoid high-interest commercial debt. A pivotal shift occurred in May 2025, when a U.S.-led consortium including Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises acquired a 51% majority stake, approved by the Scottish FA, providing fresh capital and strategic oversight.[195][194] The new owners secured approval for a £20 million investment in June 2025, earmarked for infrastructure, squad enhancement, and revenue diversification, aiming to align financial outlays with on-field performance to access UEFA competition revenues.[205] This transition, facilitated by former chairman Dave King, emphasizes long-term sustainability over short-term spending, with board statements highlighting commercial growth—evidenced by double-digit increases in sponsorships—as a core pillar to mitigate domestic league revenue volatility.[206] Sustainability challenges persist, as annual losses exceed £17 million despite revenue records, underscoring dependence on European qualification and player trading for profitability; failure in these areas has historically amplified debt reliance.[207] The 2024/25 budgets project cash flow stability through controlled wage-to-revenue ratios below 60%, but analysts note risks from inflation in transfer fees and wages, necessitating prudent governance to prevent recurrence of pre-2012 over-leveraging.[208] Under new ownership, strategies prioritize self-sufficiency via youth development and global merchandising, though empirical data from prior cycles indicates that sustained title contention remains causal to financial health, absent which subsidies from owners continue.[202]Achievements and records
Domestic league and cup dominance
Rangers Football Club holds the record for the most titles in a domestic top-flight league, with 55 Scottish championships as of the 2020–21 season.[209] This surpasses any other club globally in a premier division, reflecting sustained competitive superiority over rivals including Celtic, who trail with 54.[210] The club's ledger includes 34 Scottish Cup victories and a leading 28 Scottish League Cup triumphs, contributing to a total of over 100 major domestic honors.[4] Early dominance emerged under manager Bill Struth, who from 1920 to 1954 secured 18 league titles alongside 10 Scottish Cups and 2 League Cups, forging a disciplined playing style that emphasized fitness and tactical organization.[211] Post-World War II, Rangers maintained control, winning five consecutive leagues from 1948–49 to 1952–53 despite wartime disruptions that suspended official competitions but saw unofficial regional successes.[17] This period underscored the club's infrastructural advantages at Ibrox Stadium and scouting network, enabling consistent recruitment of talent. A pinnacle of modern supremacy arrived with nine successive league titles from 1988–89 to 1996–97, initiated by Graeme Souness's recruitment of high-profile players like Terry Butcher and sustained by Walter Smith, who added five more in that streak.[37] During this span, Rangers also claimed multiple cups, including trebles in 1992–93 and 1993–94, leveraging financial investments to outpace competitors. The club has achieved the domestic treble seven times overall—league, Scottish Cup, and League Cup in one season—joint-most worldwide, with instances in 1948–49, 1963–64, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1992–93, 1993–94, and 2002–03.[210] These feats highlight Rangers' ability to monopolize resources and adapt formations, though intensified Old Firm rivalry periodically challenged exclusivity.[212]European competitions and continental impact
Rangers first entered European competition in the 1956–57 European Cup, defeating Nice 5–2 on aggregate in the preliminary round before elimination by Eintracht Frankfurt.[26] The club reached the European Cup Winners' Cup final in 1961 as the first British team to contest a UEFA final, losing 4–1 on aggregate to Fiorentina after a 0–2 home defeat in the first leg and a 2–1 away win marred by crowd trouble.[1] They returned to the final in 1967, falling 1–0 to Bayern Munich in extra time amid disputes over the legitimacy of Bayern's goal, scored by Franz Roth from a free kick after referee Concetto Lo Bello disallowed a prior Bayern goal for offside.[1] The club's sole European trophy came in the 1971–72 European Cup Winners' Cup, where Rangers defeated Dynamo Moscow 3–2 in the final on May 24, 1972, at Barcelona's Camp Nou before 24,000 spectators, with goals from Peter McCloy (own goal), Willie Johnston, and Colin Stein securing victory despite a late comeback attempt by the Soviets.[29] This triumph, following a semifinal penalty shootout win over Torino, elevated Rangers' continental standing and prompted pitch invasions by supporters, leading UEFA to impose a temporary ban on European participation that was later reduced on appeal.[213] Rangers advanced to the Cup Winners' Cup quarterfinals or beyond in four other seasons during the 1960s and 1970s, including a 1978 semifinal exit to Anderlecht.[214] In the rebranded UEFA Cup and Europa League eras, Rangers reached the 2007–08 UEFA Cup final, losing 0–2 to Zenit St. Petersburg on May 14, 2008, at Manchester's City of Manchester Stadium, with Danny goals from Danny and Konstantin Zyryanov ending a campaign that saw Rangers overcome Barcelona, Panathinaikos, and Werder Bremen.[215] They again contested the Europa League final in 2021–22, drawing 1–1 with Eintracht Frankfurt on May 18, 2022, in Seville before a 5–4 penalty shootout defeat, highlighted by Joe Aribo's opener and sustained defensive resilience against a German side that advanced via Aaron Ramsey's miss.[216] Additional deep runs include last-16 exits in the 1992–93 and 1994–95 Champions Leagues and a 2005–06 group stage qualification, the first by a Scottish club.[217] Rangers hold Scottish records for most European matches played (over 400 as of 2023) and victories (approximately 160), with notable away successes like the 2008 Barcelona win contributing to revenue streams exceeding £20 million in high-attendance seasons.[218] Their continental campaigns have amplified Scottish football's visibility, fostering rivalries with clubs like PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund while generating substantial gate receipts and broadcasting income that bolster domestic sustainability, though limited by the smaller scale of the Scottish Premiership compared to major leagues.[219] Despite no Champions League knockout progression beyond the group stage, these efforts underscore Rangers' role in elevating Scotland's UEFA coefficient through consistent qualification via league titles.[39]Club-level records and statistical milestones
Rangers hold the record for the most top-division league titles in Scottish football history, with 55 championships won between 1891 and 2021.[220] The club has also secured a record 28 Scottish League Cup titles and 34 Scottish Cup victories, contributing to seven domestic trebles—a joint world record shared with Celtic.[210] These achievements include consecutive trebles in 1963–64 and other instances in seasons such as 1948–49, 1975–76, and 1998–99, marking the first club globally to reach 100 major trophies in 2000.[1] In terms of sequences, Rangers completed an unbeaten Scottish Premiership campaign in 2020–21 under Steven Gerrard, accumulating 102 points from 38 matches with 92 goals scored and a joint-record 26 clean sheets—the second such invincible league season in club history after winning all 18 games in 1898–99.[221] The club recorded a 44-game unbeaten run across all competitions from September 1992 to December 1993, including 29 consecutive league matches without defeat.[222] Their longest winning streak stands at 20 matches, achieved starting in August 2013.[223] Rangers' largest margin of victory is 13 goals, recorded three times in Scottish Cup matches: 13–0 against Annbank in 1880, Uddingston in 1886, and Possilpark in 1889.[224] A 14–2 win over Blairgowrie in the 1934 Scottish Cup first round represents the highest-scoring domestic triumph.[225] The club's record attendance is 118,567, set during a 1939 league match against Celtic at Ibrox Stadium.[225] Additionally, Rangers maintained a 74-game streak without conceding a penalty from 2018 to 2021, ranking fifth in European history.[226]Individual player achievements and hall of fame
Ally McCoist holds the club record for most goals scored, with 355 in all competitions during his tenure from 1983 to 1998.[227] He also achieved the distinction of winning the European Golden Boot in consecutive seasons, 1992–93 and 1993–94, as the first player to do so in European football history.[228] John Greig set the record for most appearances, totaling 755 matches between 1961 and 1978.[227] Other notable scoring feats include Bob McPhail's 261 goals from 1927 to 1940 and Jimmy Smith's 249 goals spanning 1930 to 1946.[229] Rangers players have secured several individual honors in Scottish football. Derek Johnstone became the inaugural winner of the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year award in 1978 while at the club. More recently, James Tavernier earned the Sofascore Scottish Premiership Player of the Season award for 2024–25, recognizing his contributions including top goalscoring among defenders.[230] Tavernier also claimed the Sam English Bowl as the club's top goalscorer in multiple seasons, such as 2023–24.[231] The Rangers Hall of Fame, established in 1999, honors former players based on criteria set by founding members Sandy Jardine, John Greig, David Mason, and David Murray, emphasizing contributions to the club's success.[232] As of 2024, it includes 95 inductees, among them McCoist, Greig, and recent additions like Allan McGregor, Steven Davis, and Tavernier, inducted on February 19, 2023, for their roles in domestic dominance and European campaigns.[233][234] Inductees such as Jim Baxter and Richard Gough are recognized for pivotal performances, including Baxter's influence in the 1960s European Cup Winners' Cup triumph and Gough's leadership in the 1990s nine-in-a-row era.[233]| Category | Player | Record | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Goals | Ally McCoist | 355 | 1983–1998[227] |
| Most Appearances | John Greig | 755 | 1961–1978[227] |
| European Goals (Club) | Ally McCoist | 11 | Various[235] |
Personnel
Current first-team squad and key signings
As of January 2026, Rangers F.C.'s first-team squad for the 2025-26 season comprises 25-30 players across positions, blending established performers with recent acquisitions aimed at bolstering defensive stability and midfield creativity under the ongoing management structure.[236] [237] The squad's composition reflects strategic reinforcements following the summer transfer window, with emphasis on Premier League-experienced loanees and permanent deals to address prior vulnerabilities in depth and injury resilience.[238] Key personnel include captain James Tavernier at right-back, providing leadership and offensive contributions from defense, alongside goalkeeper Jack Butland as the primary shot-stopper.[239] Midfield features new additions like Joe Rothwell, signed permanently from Bournemouth for enhanced box-to-box dynamism.[238] Up front, Youssef Chermiti, signed on deadline day from Sporting CP, serves as a key striker.[240] The UEFA Europa League phase squad, submitted in September 2025, underscores the integration of these players into competitive lineups.[240]| Position | Player | Notes/Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jack Butland | First-choice; England international |
| Goalkeeper | Liam Kelly | Backup; Scotland |
| Goalkeeper | Kieran Wright | Third-choice; Scotland |
| Defender | James Tavernier | Captain; right-back, Scotland |
| Defender | Derek Cornelius | Centre-back; Canada, summer 2025 signing |
| Defender | Nasser Djiga | Right-back; Burkina Faso, from Wolves |
| Defender | Max Aarons | Right-back; England, summer 2025 |
| Defender | Tuur Rommens | Left-back; Belgium, January 2026 from Westerlo |
| Midfielder | Joe Rothwell | Central; from Bournemouth, summer 2025 |
| Midfielder | Theo Aasgaard | Attacking; Norway, from Luton Town |
| Midfielder | Lyall Cameron | Central; Scotland, from Dundee |
| Forward | Youssef Chermiti | Striker; Portugal, deadline-day 2025 |
Management, coaching staff, and board of directors
As of January 2026, Rangers Football Club is led by a board of directors reflecting its majority ownership transition to a consortium involving Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises, completed on May 30, 2025.[195] The board includes Chairman Andrew Cavenagh, an entrepreneur with extensive business experience; Vice Chairman Paraag Marathe; and directors Fraser Thornton, John Halsted, George Taylor, Eugene Schneur, and Andrew Clayton.[247] Chief Executive Patrick Stewart and Sporting Director Kevin Thelwell were dismissed on 24 November 2025.[248] The Chief Executive position remains vacant pending a new appointment. The first-team coaching staff is headed by Danny Röhl, appointed as head coach on October 20, 2025, on a contract until June 30, 2028, following the dismissal of Russell Martin on October 5, 2025.[249] [250] Röhl's support team includes assistant coach Matthias Kaltenbach and performance manager Sascha Lense, both confirmed on October 22, 2025, to enhance tactical and fitness aspects of training.[251]| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Chairman | Andrew Cavenagh |
| Vice Chairman | Paraag Marathe |
| Chief Executive | Vacant |
| Head Coach | Danny Röhl |
| Assistant Coach | Matthias Kaltenbach |
| Performance Manager | Sascha Lense |
