Rangers have a very proud history in Europe being the first Scottish club to play a competitive European tie whilst participating in the European Cup in season 1956-57 season and became the fist Scottish or British Club to reach a European final when in 1961 we lost 4-1 on aggregate to Fiorentina in the inaugural European Cup Winners Cup final. During this campaign we defeated Wolves in the semi-final the game that gave us the wonderful Wolverhampton Town song which has thankfully, found it’s way back onto our hymn sheet in recent years.
Glasgow Rangers' European Cup-Winners' Cup victory on 24 May 1972, when they defeated Moscow Dynamo 3-2, felt like it had been a long time coming. It was the Light Blues' 14th campaign in European football, stretching back to a European Cup match against Nice at Ibrox on 24 October 1956. Highlights of the match can be viewed in this article.
Bill Struth is without doubt one - if not the major influence on how successful Rangers are as a club. Below you can find out some interesting facts and trivia about this true Rangers and Scottish footballing legend.
The question I ask myself most often when thinking off, or discussing John Greig is, is he deserving of the title ‘Greatest Ever Ranger’? This title was bestowed on Greig, by us, the fans. We voted for him as the Greatest Ever Ranger and all the attributes are there. His dedication and love of Rangers is undeniable. We were the only club that we ever played for. He won a remarkable three trebles with Rangers (the club has won seven in our illustrious history), his appearances speak for themselves and listening to fans from the generation before mine, Greig was Rangers during his dark days of Celtic domination.
The name of Archibald Leitch might not be well known to many fans but if ever a man who was not a footballer deserves his name on the Ibrox Hall of Fame it's he. Born in Glasgow, Leitch became football clubs' stadium architect of choice. His stands and terraces could be found at every major ground in the country. Millions of fans stood on and loved the terraces that he created - Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham and many more all had Archie to thank; for it was him that designed and constructed their footballing homes.
From every corner of the world have come visitors to Ibrox Stadium, eager to see the home of The Rangers Football Club. Every week during the season you will find a constant stream of people from every walk of life on the weekly pilgrimage. And when their tour of inspection is over, you will, I have no doubt, hear them say: "It is truly a wonderful stadium - and wasn't the Trophy Room just terrific."
No one who witnessed Rangers’ 2nd treble in 3 seasons when we defeated Aberdeen 2-1 in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden would believe that the man hugged and congratulated by Jock Wallace would be invited to replace Wallace as manager of Rangers. There are many rumours circulating as to why Jock Wallace left Rangers in 1978 but to say it was a shock would be an understatement. Jock Wallace epitomised Rangers and was a very successful and shrewd coach/manager. His departure left a gaping void and the board hoped that John Greig would be the man to fill this void.
Tours of the stadium are available - see the official Rangers website for details.
