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|image=[[File:Rangers FC.svg|190px|alt=The Rangers Football Club Logo]]
|fullname=Rangers Football Club
|nickname=''The Gers'';{{break}} ''The Teddy Bears'';{{break}} ''The Light Blues''
|clubname=Rangers Football Club
|founded=1872
|owner=Rangers International Football Club Plc
|chairman=[[Malcolm Murray (businessman)|Malcolm Murray]]
|ground=[[Ibrox Stadium]]{{break}}[[Glasgow]], Scotland
|capacity=51,082
|manager=[[Ally McCoist]]
|league=[[Scottish Football League Third Division|Scottish Third Division]]
|current=2012–13 Rangers F.C. season
|season=[[2012–13 Scottish Third Division|2012–13]]
|position=[[Scottish Third Division]], 1st
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'''Rangers Football Club''' is a [[association football|football]] club based in [[Glasgow]], Scotland that plays in the Third Division of the [[Scottish Football League]]. Their home ground is Ibrox Stadium in the south-west of the city. Founded in 1872, Rangers were one of the ten founder members of the Scottish Football League, and remained in Scotland's top division until the end of the 2011–12 season.

In 2012, The Rangers Football Club Plc became [[Insolvency|insolvent]] and entered [[administration (law)|administration]], resulting in [[liquidation]] when an agreement could not be reached with its creditors. Its business and assets, including Rangers FC, were bought by a [[Ownership of Rangers F.C.|new company]], to which the club's [[Scottish Football Association]] membership was transferred in time to enable Rangers to relaunch in the [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Scottish Football League's Third Division]] at the start of season 2012–13.<ref name="Rangers Nimmo Smith">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotprem.com/content/mediaassets/doc/SPL%20Commission%20reasons%20for%20decision%20of%2012%20September%202012.pdf|work=Independant Commission of Lord Nimmo Smith|date=12 September 2012|accessdate=9 February 2012|quote=purchased substantially all the business and assets of Oldco, including Rangers FC, by entering into an asset sale and purchase agreement|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19675793 Euro ties fill Rangers void for Celtic - Neil Lennon] www.bbc.co.uk, 21 September 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/neil-lennonon-rangers-funding-sean-connery-and-a-mcgeady-statue.1349104867 Neil Lennon...on Rangers funding, Sean Connery, and a McGeady statue] www.heraldscotland.com, 1 October 2012</ref><ref>[http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/sport/football/interview-gordon-durie-east-fife-manager-and-former-rangers-striker-1-2451551 Interview: Gordon Durie, East Fife manager and former Rangers striker] www.scotsman.com, 5 August 2012</ref>

In domestic football Rangers have won more league titles and [[Treble (association football)|trebles]] than any other club in the world, winning the league title 54 times, the Scottish Cup 33 times and the Scottish League Cup 27 times, and achieving the treble of all three in the same season seven times. In [[European football]], Rangers were the first British club to reach a UEFA tournament final. They won the European Cup Winners' Cup in [[1972 European Cup Winners' Cup Final|1972]] after being runner up twice in [[1961 European Cup Winners' Cup Final|1961]] and [[1967 European Cup Winners' Cup Final|1967]]. A third runners up finish in Europe came in the 2008 UEFA Cup.

Rangers have a long-standing rivalry with [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], the two Glasgow clubs being collectively known as the [[Old Firm]], since the late 19th century.
{{TOC Limit|3}}

==History==
{{Main|History of Rangers F.C.}}
{{see also|List of Rangers F.C. seasons|Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame}}

===Formation and early years===
[[File:Rangers FC Gallant Pioneers.jpg|thumb|200px|alt=The 1877 Scottish Cup Final Rangers team|The 1877 Scottish Cup Final Rangers team]]
The four founders of Rangers – brothers [[Moses McNeil|Moses]] and [[Peter McNeil]], [[Peter Campbell (footballer)|Peter Campbell]] and [[William McBeath]] – met in 1872. Rangers' first match, in May that year, was a 0–0 friendly draw with [[Callander F.C.|Callander]] on [[Glasgow Green]]. In 1873, the club held its first annual meeting and staff were elected.<ref name="Founded 1872">{{cite web|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/45-000-see-rangers-face-blokes-coming-off-153126585.html|title=45,000 to see Rangers face blokes coming off night shift|work=[[Eurosport]]|publisher=[[Yahoo!]]|date=17 August 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=Founded: 1872{{break}}Biggest win: 10–0 v Hibernian 1898{{break}}Most appearances: John Greig 775 (1960–1978)|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0mTcErH|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Official meeting 1873">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-15307021|title=The on-field history of Rangers Football Club 1873–2012|publisher=[[BBC]]|work=[[BBC News]]|date=14 February 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=The club's origins date back to 1872 when Peter McNeil, his brother Moses, Peter Campbell and William McBeath formed their own team in Glasgow.{{break}}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.{{break}}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.{{break}}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.{{break}}This was the only time the league has ever been shared, and it marked the first senior honour for Rangers.{{break}}Rangers won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 1894, beating Celtic 3–1{{break}}Three years later, the club recorded their first ever Scottish Cup win, beating Celtic 3–1 in the 1894 final.{{break}}Rangers won the trophy again in 1897 and 1898 with victories over Dumbarton and Kilmarnock.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6AA4wDKFT|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> By 1876 Rangers had their first [[List of Rangers F.C. international footballers|international player]], with Moses McNeil representing [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] in a match against [[Wales national football team|Wales]].<ref name="Rangers first Scottish international player">{{cite web|url=http://www.helensburghheroes.com/heroes/moses_mcneil|title=Co founder of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, Rangers and Scotland Footballer – a true Footballing Pioneer|work=Helensburgh Heroes|publisher=helensburghheroes.com|accessdate=23 December 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D7dX7U5B|archivedate=23 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 1877 Rangers reached a Scottish Cup final; after drawing the first game Rangers refused to turn up for the replay and the cup was awarded to [[Vale of Leven F.C.|Vale of Leven]]. Rangers won the [[Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup|Glasgow Merchants’ Charity Cup]] the following year against Vale of Leven 2–1, their first major cup.<ref name="Rangers History">{{cite web|url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/rangers/history|title=Rangers History|work=[[Evening Times]]|accessdate=20 January 2013|publisher=[[Newsquest]]|quote=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.{{break}}It’s believed that Moses McNeil suggested the name ‘Rangers’ after seeing it in a book about English rugby. The club played their first game in May 1972 at Flecher’s Haugh in Glasgow Green against Callander, a match that ended in a 0–0 draw.{{break}}The year 1873 is the official founding of Rangers as that was the year the elected office bearers. The first time the club donned blue shirts was their second game, against Clyde (not the present-day club) and won it 11–0.{{break}}Five years after their founding, Rangers made it to their first major cup final against Vale of Leven. The game was played at First Hampden Park and it finished 1–1 so a replay beckoned. Rangers refused to turn up for the replay and Vale were awarded the cup. The teams met the following year in the Charity Cup. Rangers won 2–1 and the Glasgow Merchants’ Charity Cup was the first major trophy to be won by the team.{{break}}The 1890–91 season saw the inception of the Scottish Football League, and Rangers were one of ten original members. Rangers' first ever league match took place on 16 August 1890 and resulted in a 5–2 victory over Hearts. After finishing equal-top with Dumbarton a play-off was held at Cathkin Park to decide the champions. The match finished 2–2 and the title was shared for the only time in its history – the first of Rangers' 54 championships.|archivedate=20 January 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DoeKnGsx|deadurl=no}}</ref> The first ever Old Firm match took place in 1888, the year of Celtic's establishment. Rangers lost 5–2 in a friendly to a team composed largely of guest players from [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]]<ref name="First old firm match">{{cite web|url=http://www.football-soccer-camps.com/glasgow-rangers-training.htm|title=Summer Soccer & Football Camps train with the best teams in world football|work=football-soccer-camps.com|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=After joining, Rangers finally reached their first final of the Scottish Cup in 1877 but were not victorious.{{break}} 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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3RQaBBc|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Celtic 5 - 2 Rangers">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0003/|title=The Founding of Celtic Football Club 1888|work=BBC|date=November 2005|accessdate=3 January 2013|quote=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'.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DP6GLX3N|archivedate=3 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Early years">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/index.php/club/history/club-history/item/499-founding-fathers|title=The Founding Fathers|publisher=Rangers FC|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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.{{break}}Their first match was an unlikely affair against Callander FC at Flesher's Haugh on Glasgow Green.{{break}}...{{break}}The result was 0–0, but that didn't matter. Rangers had been born.{{break}}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.{{break}}By 1876 Rangers had their first international, Moses McNeil one of the four founders, who made his Scotland debut in a 4–0 victory over Wales.{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6AA4Q5VJF|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

The [[1890–91 in Scottish football|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 F.C.|Heart of Midlothian]]. After finishing equal-top with [[Dumbarton F.C.|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 victory over rivals Celtic in the final. By the start of the 20th century, Rangers had won two league titles and three Scottish Cups.<ref name="Official meeting 1873" /><ref name="Rangers History" /><ref name="Rangers honours">{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/club/rangers/|title=Rangers|publisher=Scottish Football League|work=scottishfootballleague.com|date=August 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0ihHPhd|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers uefa page">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=50121/profile/index.html|title=Rangers FC|work=UEFA.com|publisher=[[UEFA]]|date=30 December 2010|accessdate=19 August 2012|quote=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.{{break}}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.{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3Sy0sj2|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Bill Struth and Scot Symon===
Taking over as manager from [[William Wilton]] in 1920, [[Bill Struth]] was Rangers' most successful manager, guiding the club to 14 league titles before the onset of the [[World War II|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 holiday Old Firm match.<ref name="Record attendance">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2346330/A-lot-of-bottle-in-Old-Firm-duels.html|title=A lot of bottle in Old Firm duels|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|date=22 September 2006|accessdate=24 August 2012|author=Forsyth, Roddy|quote=The record Old Firm gate at a club ground was set on 2 Jan 1939 by a crowd of 118,567 at Ibrox.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1FYKKp2|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Leading the club for 34 years until 1954, Struth won more trophies than any manager in Scottish Football history, amassing 18 league championships, 10 Scottish Cups, 2 League Cups, 7 war-time championships, 19 Glasgow Cups, 17 Glasgow Merchant Charity Cups and other war-time honours.<ref name="Founded 1872" /><ref name="Wilton and struth">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/index.php/club/history/club-history/item/506-the-dominant-force|publisher=Rangers FC|title=The Dominant Force|quote=Sadly, Wilton was not to enjoy this extraordinary success which saw Rangers take the title 15 times in 21 seasons.{{break}}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.{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3S4Xe1C|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> During the wartime regional league setup, Rangers achieved their highest score against old firm rivals Celtic with an 8–1 win in the [[Southern Football League (Scotland)|Southern Football League]].<ref name="Record old firm result">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2011/dec/30/joy-of-six-new-year-fixtures|title=The Joy of Six: new year football fixtures|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=30 December 2011|accessdate=6 January 2013|author=Murray, Scott|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DdtrdpVy|archivedate=12 Janauary 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>

[[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 in Scottish football|1963–64 season]], the era of [[Jim Baxter|'Slim' Jim Baxter]], one of the club's greatest players.<ref name="Scot symon">{{cite web|url=http://www.in.com/scot-symon/profile-249707.html|title=About Scot Symon|publisher=[[in.com]]|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3Sdw7Yl|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers greats baxter">{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1010809-top-10-rangers-players-of-all-time/page/9|title=Top 10 Glasgow Rangers Players of All Time|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|date=5 January 2012|accessdate=23 December 2012|author=Stone, Colin|pages=2–11|quote=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.{{break}}"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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D81yoLOb|archivedate=23 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers also lost by their biggest old firm margin of 7–1 to Celtic.<ref name="Record old firm result" />

Rangers reached the semi-finals of the [[UEFA Champions League|European Cup]] in 1960, losing to German club [[Eintracht Frankfurt]] by a record aggregate 12–4 for a Scottish team.<ref name="Record aggregate european lose">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1306079/CHAMPIONS-LEAGUE-DRAW-Tottenham-Manchester-United-Chelsea-Arsenal-Rangers-learn-fate.html|title=CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LOWDOWN: The teams to avoid, plum picks and all you need to know about the group stage draw|publisher=[[Daily Mail and General Trust]]|work=[[Daily Mail]]|date=26 August 2010|accessdate=20 December 2012|author=Ripley, Dan|quote=Rangers: Semi-finalists – 1960{{break}}Lost to Eintracht Frankfurt 12–4 on aggregate in what remains a record scoreline in a European Cup semi-final.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3ZF1Mju|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 1961 Rangers became the first British team to reach a European final when they contested the Cup Winners' Cup final against Italian side [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]], only to lose 4–1 on aggregate.<ref name="Rangers first british side in european final">{{cite web|url=http://www.culturewars.org.uk/2001-7/hampden.htm|title='And the cry was "No Defenders"' The Museum of Scottish Football at Hampden Park, Glasgow|publisher=Institute of Ideas|work=Culture Wars|accessdate=23 August 2012|author=Baird, Stuart|quote=Rangers were the first British team to reach a European final in 1961|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9Pfhiru|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers lost again in the final of the same competition in 1967, losing 1–0 after extra time to [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]].<ref name="Rangers uefa page" />

===Ibrox disaster, European success and Jock Wallace===
[[File:Johngreig.jpg|thumb|left|160 px|alt=The Ibrox Disaster memorial statue, commemorating the 1971 tragedy|The Ibrox Disaster memorial statue, commemorating the 1971 tragedy along with previous disasters]]
The [[1971 Ibrox disaster|Ibrox disaster]] occurred on 2 January 1971 when [[Crush syndrome|large-scale crushing]] on a stairway exit at the culmination of the [[New Year's Day]] Old Firm game claimed 66 lives. An enquiry concluded that the crush was likely to have happened ten minutes after the final whistle and to have been triggered by someone falling on the stairs.<ref name="Ibrox disaster">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1312971/Thousands-pay-tribute-to-victims-of-Ibrox-disaster.html|title=Thousands pay tribute to victims of Ibrox disaster|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=19 June 2001|author=Womersley, Tara|quote=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.{{break}}...{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3aDCdYz|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> A [[Benefit (sports)|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.<ref name="Old Firm versus Scotrland XI">{{cite web|url=http://www.celticprogrammesonline.com/PROGRAMME%20COVERS/7071/scotlandXI/scotlandXI7071h.htm|title=Scotland XI vs Rangers/Celtic Select Official Programme of the Match|publisher=celticprogrammesonline.com|date=27 January 1971|accessdate=17 August 2012|quote=Attendance: 81,405|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6AAClRnC3|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

In 1972, Rangers emerged from the tragedy of the previous year to finally achieve success on the European stage. A [[Colin Stein]] goal and a [[Willie Johnston]] double helped secure a 3–2 victory over [[FC Dynamo Moscow]] at the Nou Camp, Barcelona, to lift the [[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup|European Cup Winners' Cup]]. Captain John Greig received the trophy in a small room within the [[Camp Nou|Nou Camp]] following pitch invasions and rioting by Rangers fans.<ref name="European cup winners cup win">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/destiny-awaits-ibrox-heroes-1-1433001|title=Destiny awaits Ibrox heroes|publisher=[[Johnston Press]]|work=[[The Scotsman]]|date=10 May 2008|accessdate=22 March 2009|quote=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.{{break}}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.{{break}}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".{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3af34Xw|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers were banned from Europe for two years for the behaviour of their fans, later reduced on appeal to a year.<ref name="Fans riot after win">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/sportscotland/asportingnation/article/0047/|title=Rangers triumph in Europe 1972|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=December 2005|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3b2vcrt|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Emerging from the shadows of [[Jock Stein|Jock Stein's]] Celtic side, Rangers regained ascendancy with notable domestic success under the stewardship of manager [[Jock Wallace, Jr.|Jock Wallace]]. In his first season in charge – the club's [[Century|centenary]] – Rangers won the Scottish Cup at [[Hampden Park|Hampden]] in front of 122,714 supporters.<ref name="1973 scottish cup final">{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football.cfm?page=1990|title=Scottish Cup History And Archives|publisher=[[Scottish Football Association|Scottish FA]]|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=122,714 supporters packed into Hampden on 5 May 1973 for the Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3lk7kNQ|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 1974–75, Wallace led Rangers to their first League championship triumph in eleven years, before winning the treble the following season, repeating the historic feat in 1977–78.<ref name="Jock wallace brings success after knocking rangers out in cup as a player">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituary-jock-wallace-1330513.html|title=Obituary: Jock Wallace|publisher=Independent Print Ltd|work=[[The Independent]]|date=26 July 1996|accessdate=20 December 2012|author=McKinney, David|authorlink=David McKinney (journalist)|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3lMK83C|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Graeme Souness and Walter Smith – Nine in a row===
Every year from the [[1988–89 in Scottish football|1988–89]] season until the [[1988–89 in Scottish football|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 4 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]].<ref name="Best boss in modern ibrox">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1385338/Graeme-Souness-Walter-Smith-best-boss-modern-Rangers-era.html|title=EXCLUSIVE: Graeme Souness – Smith is simply the best boss in the modern Ibrox era|publisher=Daily Mail and General Trust|work=Daily Mail|date=9 May 2011|accessdate=26 August 2012|quote=There will be no more fitting way to mark his departure than to beat Celtic to another championship but Walter has already established himself as one of the finest managers Scotland has ever produced. He's the best Rangers manager in the modern game. After Sir Alex Ferguson and Jock Stein, his record is fantastic; his success is there for all to see.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3pjhDJA|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Paying for over spending">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefootypie.com/2012/02/19/rangers-paying-for-overspending-ways/|title=Rangers paying for overspending ways|publisher=thefootypie.com|work=The footy pie|date=February 2012|accessdate=December 2012|quote=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 the late great Jock Stein at Celtic in the 1960s and 70s.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3npjdH7|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Notable seasons included [[1990–91 Scottish Premier Division|1990–91]], which culminated in a final day finale, Rangers securing a 2–0 victory at Ibrox over Aberdeen, who needed only a draw to secure the championship. Season [[1992–93 Scottish Premier Division|1992–93]] was notable for a [[Treble (association football)#Domestic Treble|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.<ref name="Champions league season 92-93">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=1992/clubs/club=50121/matches/index.html|title=UEFA Champions League 1992/93: Rangers|publisher=UEFA.com|work=UEFA|date=10 August 2011|accessdate=26 August 2012|quote=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3mxcGmr|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Outstanding contributions from [[SFWA Footballer of the Year|Player of the Season]] winners [[Ally McCoist]] (1991–92), [[Andy Goram]] (1992–93), [[Mark Hateley]] (1993–94), [[Brian Laudrup]] (1994–95 and 1996–97) and [[Paul Gascoigne]] (1995–96),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/football/awards/sfwafootballeroftheyear.php|title=napit|publisher=napit.com|work=Napit|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=1997 – Brian Laudrup – Rangers{{break}}1996 – Paul Gascoigne – Rangers{{break}}1995 – Brian Laudrup – Rangers{{break}}1994 – Mark Hateley – Rangers{{break}}1993 – Andy Goram – Rangers{{break}}1992 – Ally McCoist – Rangers|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3okar4R|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> were crucial to maintaining success. Rangers ninth consecutive championship title was secured at [[Tannadice Park]] on 7 May 1997, with a 1–0 victory over [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbot.com/scot/results/sdprem97.htm|title=Scottish Premier Division 1996–97|accessdate=17 August 2012|publisher=soccerbot.com|work=Soccorbot|date=27 June 2000|quote=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3p1lyrw|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish===
In 1998, [[Dutch people|Dutchman]] [[Dick Advocaat]] became the club's first foreign manager.<ref name="First foreign manager">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7393259.stm|title=Advocaat's Rangers legacy|publisher=BBC|work=[[Sportscene|BBC Sport Scotland]]|date=13 May 2008|author=Campbell, Andy|accessdate=6 August 2010|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3rJ8C4Q|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Champions again">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/scottish_premier/334094.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|title=Rangers make history out of chaos|date=3 May 1999|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=Celtic 0–3 Rangers{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3rRfJuo|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> A second consecutive league title was won by a record 21 point margin,<ref name="Rangers can win the league">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/when-rangers-can-win-the-league-1-796986|title=When Rangers can win the league|publisher=Johnston Press|work=The Scotsman|date=28 March 2010|accessdate=6 August 2010|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3rpwRnG|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the club securing a domestic double with a 4–0 [[2000 Scottish Cup Final|Scottish Cup]] final victory over Aberdeen. Rangers' campaign in the [[1999–2000 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]] was promising, defeating UEFA Cup winners [[Parma F.C.|Parma]] en route.<ref name="Rangers go out at the group stages">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/champions_league/503436.stm|title=Champions League group tables|publisher=BBC|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=2 November 1999|quote=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3s6ZDGa|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers beat parma">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/417699.stm|title=Rangers put Parma in the shade|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=12 August 1999|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=Rangers 2–0 Parma{{break}}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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D3sUdA2k|archivedate=20 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Advocaat's third season saw Rangers fail to compete domestically against Celtic under new manager [[Martin O'Neill|Martin O’Neill]]. Despite investment in the team including [[Tore André Flo|Tore Andre Flo]] for a club record £12 million,<ref name="Flo signed for 12m">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/scottish-premier/2993243/Rangers-12m-Flo-gamble.html|title=Rangers' £12m Flo gamble|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|work=Telegraph|date=12 November 2000|author=Forsyth, Roddy|accessdate=21 December 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4gxycZC|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> European success beyond the [[2000–01 UEFA Champions League|Champions league]] group stages again proved elusive.<ref name="Rangers out of champion league 00-01">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/uefa_cup/1059684.stm|title=Kaiserslautern 3–0 Rangers|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=7 December 2000|accessdate=6 August 2010|quote=Full time: Kaiserslautern 3–0 Rangers{{break}}92 mins The Fritz Walter Stadium erupts on the referee's final whistle which brings down the curtain on Rangers' European campaign.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4h7iuhu|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> After a slow start to the following season, Advocaat resigned from his post in December 2001 to be replaced as manager by [[Alex McLeish]].<ref name="McLeish appointment">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/1701609.stm|title=Rangers unveil McLeish|date=11 December 2001|accessdate=16 October 2007|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=Alex McLeish has been unveiled as Rangers' 11th manager after a dramatic day at Ibrox.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4hLKa1Q|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

In his first full campaign, [[2002–03 Scottish Premier League|2002–03 season]] saw McLeish become the sixth Rangers manager to deliver a domestic treble.<ref name="Seventh treble">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/2946904.stm|title=Rangers complete Treble|publisher=BBC Sport|work=BBC Sports Scotland|date=31 May 2003|accessdate=16 October 2007|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4hVn2t3|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The championship was won on goal difference during a dramatic final day 6–1 triumph over [[Dunfermline Athletic F.C.|Dunfermline Athletic]] at Ibrox,<ref name="Championship won on final day">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2932016.stm|title=Rangers win to clinch title|date=25 May 2003|publisher=BBC Sport|work=BBC Sport Scotland|accessdate=9 October 2012|quote=Rangers 6–1 Dunfermline Athletic{{break}}An injury-time penalty by Mikel Arteta clinched the SPL title for Rangers in an amazing afternoon at Ibrox.{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4hc4O1L|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> securing Rangers' 50th league title, the first club in the world to achieve the feat.<ref name="Record 50th title">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/six-into-one-equals-victory-rangers-secure-a-world-record-50th-championship-as-title-showdown-goes-all-the-way-to-the-wire-1.117675|title=Six into one equals victory Rangers secure a world-record 50th championship as title showdown goes all the way to the wire|publisher=[[Newsquest]]|work=[[The Herald (Glasgow)|Herald Scotland]]|date=26 May 2003|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Grahame, Ewing|quote=Rangers secure a world-record 50th championship|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4jsUhw3|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Major expenditure sanctioned by [[Chairman]] [[David Murray (Scottish businessman)|David Murray]] had burdened Rangers with considerable [[debt]]s in the region of £52m.<ref name="Rangers run up big losses">{{Cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2002/sep/30/newsstory.sport6|title=Rangers stay cool over huge losses|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|date=30 September 2002|quote=Rangers chairman John McClelland has attempted to assure shareholders the club's £52m debt is nothing to be alarmed over.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4hxplcy|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The club's worsening financial state saw many of the team's top players leave in the summer of 2003, the [[2003–04 in Scottish football|following season]] failing to deliver any trophies, only the second such occasion since [[1985–86 in Scottish football|1985–86]].<ref name="McLeish fails to win a trophy">{{cite web|url=http://footballblog.co.uk/alex-mcleish-career.html|title=Aston Villa’s Alex McLeish, a look at his managerial career|publisher=footballblog.co.uk|work=Football blog|date=29 July 2011|author=Salty|accessdate=21 December 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4in5Iqr|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

The [[2004–05 in Scottish football|2004–05 season]] restored success to Rangers, who were boosted by signings such as [[Jean-Alain Boumsong]],<ref name="Boumsong leaves rangers">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4119197.stm|title=Magpies complete Boumsong signing|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=2 January 2005|accessdate=21 December 2012|quote=Boumsong joined Rangers from Auxerre on a free transfer last summer and made just 28 appearances for them before moving to England.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4lyei9Y|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[Dado Pršo]]<ref name="Rangers sign prso">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/3693503.stm|title=Rangers get Prso|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=9 May 2004|accessdate=21 December 2012|quote=Rangers have confirmed the signing of Monaco's Croatian striker Dado Prso.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4mDXcCM|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and [[Nacho Novo]],<ref name="Rangers sign novo">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3856045.stm|title=Rangers sign Novo|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=6 July 2004|accessdate=21 December 2012|quote=Rangers have completed the signing of Nacho Novo from Dundee but manager Alex McLeish insists his summer spending spree is not yet over.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4oXzLDn|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> along with the return of former [[captain (association football)|captain]] [[Barry Ferguson]].<ref name="Rangers resign ferguson">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-332825/Transfer-window-dealings.html|title=Transfer window dealings|publisher=Daily Mail and general trust|work=Daily Mail|date=1 February 2005|accessdate=21 December 2012|quote=Barry Ferguson – Blackburn to Rangers, £4.5million rising to £5million depending on appearances.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4pU83wx|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The club's league championship triumph culminated in a dramatic last day finish. The destination of the [[trophy]] changed unexpectedly, with Celtic conceding late goals to [[Motherwell F.C.|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]].<ref name="Rangers in dramatic title triumph">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4570627.stm|title=Rangers in dramatic title triumph|date=22 May 2005|accessdate=16 October 2007|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|quote=Rangers pipped rivals Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title after a dramatic final day of the season.{{break}}The Gers went into the final game two points behind their Glasgow rivals but a sensational late fightback by Motherwell gave them the title.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4lSVnv4|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Helicopter sunday">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-flashback-looking-back-on-rangers-1056885|title=Football flashback: Looking back on Rangers' 'helicopter Sunday' triumph in 2005|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|date=22 April 2010|accessdate=21 December 2012|author=Jackson, Keith|quote=NACHO Novo will be remembered forever as the man whose goal made the helicopter change direction.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4p56Oiw|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

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 10 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,<ref name="Rangers through to last 16">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4494912.stm|title=Rangers 1–1 Inter Milan|date=6 December 2005|accessdate=16 October 2007|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=Peter Lovenkrands was the goalscoring hero as Rangers became the first Scottish club to qualify from the group stages of the Champions League.{{break}}...{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4ur3bKZ|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the club eventually exiting on the [[away goals rule]] to [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]].<ref name="Rangers go out to villarreal">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4778246.stm|title=Villarreal 1–1 Rangers (agg 3–3)|date=7 March 2006|accessdate=16 October 2007|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4vS0qwX|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 9 February 2006, it was announced by chairman David Murray that McLeish would be standing down as manager at the end of that season.<ref name="McLeish to leave rangers in may">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/4697444.stm|title=McLeish to leave Rangers in May|date=9 February 2006|accessdate=16 October 2007|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=Alex McLeish will leave his position as Rangers manager at the end of the season, the club has confirmed|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D4vXVoqt|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Paul Le Guen and Walter Smith's return===
[[File:Rangers F.C. Tifo.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Rangers F.C. showing French card display at Ibrox to welcome Paul Le Guen|[[Tifo|Card display]] at Ibrox to welcome Paul Le Guen]]
Frenchman [[Paul Le Guen]] replaced [[Alex McLeish]] as manager after season 2005–06.<ref name="Le guen new manager">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/4791030.stm|title=Rangers name Le Guen as manager|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=11 March 2006|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=Rangers have announced that Paul Le Guen will replace Alex McLeish as manager at the end of the season.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0hnr2JV|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The season started poorly for Rangers, with an early exit from the [[2006–07 Scottish League Cup|League Cup]]<ref name="Rangers lose to st johnstone">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6123792.stm|title=Rangers 0–2 St Johnstone|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=8 November 2006|quote=St Johnstone recorded one of their finest results to stun Rangers at Ibrox and reach the CIS Cup semi-finals.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D53RshVM|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> whilst rivals Celtic built a commanding lead at the top of the table.<ref name="Celtic pile pressure on le guen">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/sep/24/match.celtic?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487|title=Gravesen piles pressure on Le Guen|publisher=Guardian Media Group|work=[[The Observer]]|date=24 September 2006|author=Glenn, Patrick|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D53ZiG4Y|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the [[2006–07 UEFA Cup|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.<ref name="Rangers quailfy from group stages">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2006/dec/15/match.rangers|title=Hutton sends Rangers clean through to Old Firm match|work=[[The Guardian|Guardian]]|publisher=Guardian Media Group|date=15 December 2006|accessdate=22 April 2011|author=Murray, Ewan|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D53j222l|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> However, amid claims of disharmony between the manager and captain Barry Ferguson,<ref name="Disharmony">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6233959.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|title=Clash of cultures|date=5 January 2007|author=Austin, Simon|quote=Paul Le Guen's relationship with Barry Ferguson was never likely to be a marriage made in heaven.{{break}}On one side was an authoritarian French manager used to having the final word and working with clean-living, tee-total players.{{break}}On the other was a passionate Scottish captain who enjoyed talismanic status with the fans and liked to work hard and play hard.{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D53uMiHx|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> it was announced on 4 January 2007 that Le Guen had left Rangers by mutual consent.<ref name="Le guen departures">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6231489.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|title=Le Guen and Rangers part company|date = 4 January 2007|quote=Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has left the club by mutual consent.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D54AdFJG|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 10 January 2007, former boss [[Walter Smith]] [[Resignation|resigned]] from his post as Scotland manager to return to the Ibrox helm, with Ally McCoist as [[assistant manager]].<ref name="Smith return">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6233237.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|title=Smith installed as Rangers boss|date=10 January 2007|quote=Walter Smith has quit as Scotland coach to become boss of Rangers for a second time after agreeing a three-year deal.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D54JPA8t|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

[[File:Uefa Cup Final 2008.jpg|thumb|250 px|left|alt=The 2008 UEFA Cup Final in Manchester which Rangers contested|The 2008 UEFA Cup Final in [[City of Manchester Stadium|Manchester]] which Rangers contested.]]

The following season Rangers contested the [[2007–08 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] after dropping into the competition from the [[2007–08 UEFA Champions League|Champions League]].<ref name="Rangers lose to lyon">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7134114.stm|title=Rangers 0–3 Lyon|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=12 December 2007|author=Moffat, Colin|quote=Rangers crashed out of the Champions League and into the Uefa Cup with a disappointing home defeat to Lyon.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D54PCOZ2|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The club reached the final, defeating [[Panathinaikos F.C.|Panathinaikos]], [[SV Werder Bremen|Werder Bremen]], [[Sporting Clube de Portugal|Sporting Lisbon]] and Fiorentina along the way.<ref name="Rangers reach uefa cup final">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7398449.stm|title=Rangers & Zenit chase Uefa glory|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2008|quote=Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Fiorentina have been dispatched, along with Sporting since Rangers qualified via their position in the Champions League group stage.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D55LCO06|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The final in [[Manchester]] against [[FC Zenit Saint Petersburg|Zenit St. Petersburg]], who were managed by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat,<ref name="Advocaat says rangers shouldnt change for final">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-565977/Zenit-coach-Advocaat-insists-Rangers-change-style-play-UEFA-Cup-final.html|title=Zenit coach Advocaat insists Rangers should not change style of play for UEFA Cup final|publisher=Daily mail and General Trust|work=Daily Mail|date=12 May 2008|quote=Rangers may have been criticised for their cautious approach in European games this season – but Zenit St Petersburg boss Dick Advocaat insists Walter Smith should not change his style of play when the sides clash in the UEFA Cup final.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D54XSB6D|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> ended in a 2–0 defeat.<ref name="Rangers lose uefa cup final">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/henrywinter/2300507/Rangers-run-out-of-steam-as-Zenit-lift-Uefa-Cup.html|title=Rangers run out of steam as Zenit lift Uefa Cup|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=15 May 2008|author=Winter, Henry|authorlink=Henry Winter|quote=Zenit St Petersburg (0) 2 Rangers (0) 0{{break}} 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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D54daWpD|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

The 2008–09 season saw Rangers recover from an early exit from the [[2008–09 UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League]] to [[FBK Kaunas]] of [[football in Lithuania|Lithuania]].<ref name="Rangers lose to fc kanuas">{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/SPORT/football/08/05/champions.rangers/index.html|title=Rangers exit Champions League in Lithuania|publisher=[[CNN]]|work=[[CNN International|CNN World Sport]]|date=5 August 2008|quote=Scottish giants Rangers slumped to a shock European exit when Linas Pilibaitis gave FBK Kaunas 2–1 a aggregate win in their Champions League second qualifying round tie in Lithuania.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D55gU83i|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The club secured their 52nd league championship on the last day of the season with a 3–0 victory of Dundee United at Tannadice.<ref name="Rejuvenated rangers win title">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/5379355/Rejuvenated-Rangers-take-SPL-title-in-style-with-victory-at-Dundee-United.html|title=Rejuvenated Rangers take SPL title in style with victory at Dundee United|date=24 May 2009|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=20 August 2010|author=Forsyth, Roddy|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D55pLf13|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers also successfully defended the Scottish Cup, a 33rd competition triumph, defeating Falkirk 1–0 in the [[Final (competition)|final]].<ref name="Rangers beat falkirk">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/5413108/Rangers-1-Falkirk-0-Scottish-Cup-Final-2009-match-report.html|title=Rangers 1 Falkirk 0: Match report|date=30 May 2009|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|work=The Daily Telegraph|accessdate=20 August 2010|author=Forsyth, Roddy|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D55y1gIv|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Despite financial problems preventing new signings and curtailing squad size, the [[2009–10 Rangers F.C. season|2009–10 season]] saw Rangers reach their fifth consecutive domestic final. Against [[St. Mirren F.C.|St. Mirren]] in the Scottish League Cup, the club overcame a two-men [[wikt:deficit|deficit]] from [[Penalty card#Red card|red cards]], a late deciding goal from [[Kenny Miller]] securing a record 27th [[competition]] [[victory]].<ref name="Rangers win cup with nine men">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/mar/21/st-mirren-rangers-scottish-cup-final|title=Kenny Miller sees nine-man Rangers through to victory|date=21 March 2010|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|accessdate=20 August 2010|author=Murray, Ewan|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D569cX4O|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The league championship title was retained with three matches remaining at [[Easter Road]], defeating Hibernian 1–0 with a [[Kyle Lafferty]] goal. Smith's final season in charge saw Rangers retain the League Cup, defeating Celtic at Hampden with a [[Nikica Jelavić]] goal in extra time.<ref name="Rangers prove doubters wrong">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/9429677.stm|title=Rangers happy to prove doubters wrong after Cup win|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=20 March 2011|quote=Rangers manager Walter Smith described the Co-operative Insurance Cup final win over Celtic as one of his "best ever" victories.{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D56IjQZt|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> A third consecutive title was won by beating [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] 5–1 on the last day of the season, Smith's final match in charge of the club.<ref name="Smith's final match">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_prem/9484609.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1 – 5 Rangers|date=16 May 2011|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|accessdate=16 May 2011|author=Moffat, Colin|quote=Rangers gave departing manager Walter Smith the perfect send-off as they wrapped up a third consecutive Scottish Premier League title in style.{{break}}A blistering opening saw Kyle Lafferty net twice inside seven minutes, either side of a Steven Naismith strike.{{break}}Early in the second half, Nikica Jelavic smashed in a free kick and Lafferty completed his hat-trick with a composed finish.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5Obw6xU|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Ally McCoist and insolvency===
As announced the previous year,<ref name="McCoist takes charge">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8705050.stm|title=McCoist thrilled with future role as Rangers boss|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=26 May 2010|quote="It will be a privilege and an honour to take over from Walter next year and that is a challenge I shall certainly relish," McCoist told the club website.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5PJWXFA|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Ally McCoist took over from Walter Smith in June 2011 with his first competitive match in charge against Hearts in July, ending in a 1–1 draw.<ref name="McCoist first competive match a draw">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jul/23/rangers-hearts-spl|title=Rangers frustrated despite Naismith equaliser as Hearts claim point|work=[[The Observer]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|date=23 July 2011|author=Murray, Ewan|quote=Hearts arrived in Glasgow with the aim of giving Ally McCoist a bloody nose in his first competitive match in charge of Rangers. Amid an opening half in which Hearts passed up opportunities to extend the lead handed to them by David Obua, that looked a viable prospect.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5PSbg7V|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers lost 2–1 on aggregate to Swedish side [[Malmö FF]] in the Champions League third round qualifying match,<ref name="Rangers lose to malmo">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/03/malmo-rangers-champions-league-qualifying|title=Rangers crash out of Champions League after seeing red twice at Malmo|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=Guardian Media Group|date=3 August 2011|quote=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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5PYFp9D|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and were then knocked out of Europe after losing 3–2 on aggregate in the [[UEFA Europa League|Europa League]] qualifying match against Slovenian side [[NK Maribor|Maribor]].<ref name="Rangers lose to maribor">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14569511.stm|title=Rangers 1 – 1 NK Maribor (agg 2 – 3)|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=25 August 2011|author=Campbell, Andy|quote=Rangers exited the Europa League as Maribor claimed an aggregate victory to progress to the group stages.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5PdUrcz|archivedate=21 December 2012=|deadurl=no}}</ref> In the first Old Firm match of the 2011–12 season and McCoist's first in charge of the club Rangers won 4–2 at Ibrox.<ref name="McCoist wins first old firm match as manager">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14869908.stm|title=Rangers 4–2 Celtic|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|author=Campbell, Andy|date=18 September 2011|quote=League leaders Rangers prevailed in the season's first Old Firm derby to move four points clear of Celtic.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5Pjvudd|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Good league form saw Rangers maintain top spot in the SPL and were unbeaten after 11 games. They were knocked out of the [[2011–12 Scottish League Cup|League Cup]] by [[falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]]<ref name="Rangers go out of cup to falkirk">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/15016733.stm|title=Ally McCoist fuming as Falkirk kids dump Rangers out of cup|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=22 September 2011|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5Pp4OVV|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the [[2011–12 Scottish Cup|Scottish Cup]] by [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee Utd]] at Ibrox.<ref name="Rangers lose to dundee utd in scottish cup">{{cite news|author=Campbell, Andy|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16778861|title=Rangers 0–2 Dundee Utd|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=5 February 2012|accessdate=12 April 2012|quote=Dundee United knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup with a deserved fifth-round victory at Ibrox.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5PuQ6MM|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Rangers was placed into administration on 14 February 2012 as a result of financial problems and a dispute with [[HM Revenue and Customs|HMRC]]. This resulted in the club being deducted 10 points, as per SPL rules, which extended Celtic's lead at the top of the league to 14 points.<ref name="Rangers enter administration">{{cite news|title=Rangers' 10-point deduction confirmed by SPL|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17032099|date=14 February 2012|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=Rangers have been deducted 10 points after entering administration.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5R1dEuI|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers' first game in administration was played in front of a sell-out [[crowd]] at Ibrox though they lost 1–0 to Kilmarnock,<ref name="Rangers lose first game in administration to sell out crowd">{{cite news|title=Rangers 0 Kilmarnock 1: Shiels strikes early to compound misery for crisis club at Ibrox|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2103049/Rangers-0-Kilmarnock-1.html|date=18 February 2012|publisher=Daily Mail and General trust|work=Daily Mail|quote=A turbulent week for Rangers ended in further disappointment as they crashed to defeat to Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League in their first match since being forced into administration.{{break}}The official attendance confirmed that 50,268 fans packed into Ibrox to show their backing for manager Ally McCoist and his players during the club's darkest hour.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5R8bvXG|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and poor form continued with defeats to Hearts<ref name="Rangers poor form contunies">{{cite news|title=Rangers 1–2 Hearts|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17162927|date=1 March 2012|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=Hearts came from behind to beat Rangers at Ibrox as the home side's players awaited news of their futures from the club's administrators.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5REUMLP|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and Dundee United.<ref name="Rangers lose to dundee utd again">{{cite news|title=Dundee United 2–1 Rangers|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17323889|date=17 March 2012|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|author=Gibson, Fraser|quote=Dundee United saw off the challenge of a spirited Rangers side to set up a scenario whereby Celtic could win the Scottish Premier League title at Ibrox.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5RJt58S|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The last significant game for Rangers in the 2011–12 season was the Old Firm game on 25 March where a win for Celtic would see their rivals win the championship at Ibrox. Rangers won 3–2 however and ultimately finished the season in second place behind Celtic.<ref name="Rangers deny celtic title win at parkhead">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17419735|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=25 March 2012|title=Rangers 3–2 Celtic|author=Lindsay, Clive|quote=Reigning champions Rangers prevented the Scottish title being won on their own patch despite a dramatic late rally from nine-man runaway leaders Celtic.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5RON66J|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

A failure to reach agreement with [[creditor]]s on 14 June 2012 led to The Rangers Football Club Plc (since renamed <nowiki>RFC 2012</nowiki> Plc)<ref name="RFC 2012 PLC">{{cite web|url=http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/SC004276|title=RFC 2012 P.L.C.|publisher=[[Government of the United Kingdom|UK Government]]|work=[[Companies House]]|accessdate=22 December 2012|quote=IncorporationDate 27/05/1899{{break}}PreviousNames{{break}}CONDate 31/07/2012{{break}}CompanyName THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB P.L.C.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6TL4raL|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> entering the process of liquidation.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/9327256/Rangers-in-crisis-the-final-whistle-sounds-on-Rangers-140-years-of-history.html Rangers in crisis: the final whistle sounds on Rangers’ 140 years of history] www.telegraph.co.uk, accessed 26 March 2013</ref> Its business, assets and history were sold to a new company, Sevco Scotland Ltd, which was later renamed The Rangers Football Club Ltd.<ref name="Rangers company enters liquidation">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/index.php/club/administrators-information/item/download/28_7fc3a3f0da9d1df61b3d05625e9468ef|title=Interim Report to Creditors|publisher=Rangers FC|work=[[Duff & Phelps|Duff and Phelps]]|format=pdf|date=10 July 2012|quote=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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D5SUWrQQ|archivedate=21 December 2012|deadurl=no|accessdate=31 August 2012}}</ref> This company then applied for the transfer of Rangers' SFA membership which was agreed by the SFA upon acceptance of a number of conditions, including a one-year transfer ban (taking effect from the end of that summer's transfer window). Though an application for membership of the Scottish Premier League was rejected,<ref name="Newco refused spl admission">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18703183|title=Rangers newco refused SPL entry after chairmen vote|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=4 July 2012|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=BBC Scotland has learned that 10 of the 12 clubs were in opposition, with Kilmarnock abstaining and Rangers voting in favour.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6qdOUxw|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> an application to the Scottish Football League was accepted, with member clubs deciding to place Rangers in the lowest division, the Third, for the start of the 2012–13 season rather than the First Division as SPL and SFA had sought.<ref name="Rangers relegated to 3rd division">{{cite news|title=Get out of here! Rangers thrown down to third division after clubs vote against stricken club|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2173130/Rangers-voted-Third-Division.html|publisher=Daily Mail and General Trust|work=Daily Mail|date=13 July 2012|author=Marjoribanks, Brain|accessdate=14 September 2012|quote=On a historic day for the national game, 25 out of the 30 lower-league clubs ruled that the fallen Ibrox giants should start life in the bottom tier and not in the First Division.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6BsigTG|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Rangers' first home match in Division 3 was a 5–1 victory over [[East Stirlingshire F.C.|East Stirlingshire]] in front of a crowd of 49,118 at Ibrox, a [[world record]] for a football match in a fourth tier league.<ref name="World record fourth tier attendance">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fourthtier-rangers-shatter-world-record-20120819-24gfv.html|title=Fourth-tier Rangers shatter world record|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=19 August 2012|accessdate=19 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A2Tjk8wq|archivedate=19 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|However this attendance was unofficially exceeded prior to this match with 59,966. But this attendance was not officially recorded<ref name="Unoffical record">{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssfbrasil.com/miscellaneous/attbrasd.htm|title=Best attendances of Brazilian Championship of 4th Level|publisher=RSSSF Brasil|accessdate=22 August 2012|quote=1 Santa Cruz (PE) 0 x 0 Treze (PB), 59.966, 16/10/2011, Estádio do Arruda|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9Ra1VaQ|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no|language=Portuguese}}</ref>|group="n"}} However, away from home, Rangers started their league campaign with three successive draws before losing 1–0 to [[Stirling Albion F.C.|Stirling Albion]], at the time the bottom club.<ref name="Rangers away form poor in 3rd division">{{cite news|title=Stirling Albion 1–0 Rangers|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19857024|date=6 October 2012|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=Rangers suffered a shock first loss in the Third Division after crashing to defeat against bottom side Stirling Albion.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6CEvxYJ|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers reached the third round of the [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] where they were defeated by [[Queen of the South F.C.|Queen of the South]] at Ibrox,<ref name="Rangers beat by queen of south in cup">{{cite news|title=Ramsdens Cup: Rangers 2–2 Queen of the South (3–4 pens)|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19629218|author=Lindsay, Clive|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=18 September 2012|accessdate=18 September 2012|quote=Rangers made a shock exit in the Ramsdens Cup after a penalty shoot-out defeat by Queen of the South at Ibrox.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6CNxj8Q|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> the quarter finals of the [[Scottish League Cup]] where they lost 3–0 at home to [[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caley Thistle]]<ref name="Rangers out of cup to inverness caley">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20053656|title=Rangers 0–3 Inverness Caley Thistle|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|author=Lamont, Alasdair|authorlink=Alasdair Lamont|date=31 October 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6CaJH7a|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no|accessdate=4 November 2012}}</ref> and the fifth round of the Scottish Cup where they were defeated 3-0 by Dundee United.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21209424 Dundee United 3-0 Rangers] www.bbc.co.uk, 2 February 2013</ref> Rangers beat their own new record against [[Queen's Park F.C.|Queens Park]] with an attendance of 49,463.<ref name="Rangers beat there own 4th tier world record">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/match/2012/oct/20/rangers-v-queenspark|title=Rangers v Queen's Park Match facts|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=Gaurdian Media Group|date=20 October 2012|accessdate=22 December 2012|quote=Attendance 49,463|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6CwzPRi|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and again against Stirling Albion with an attendance of 49,913.<ref name="Rangers beat there record again">{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/272760/form|title=THE IRN-BRU SCOTTISH THIRD DIVISION|publisher=[[BSkyB|Sky]]|work=[[Sky Sports]]|date=8 December 2012|accessdate=22 December 2012|quote=IBROX STADIUM (ATT 49,913)|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6DS68Ht|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
Rangers clinched the Division 3 title on 30 March with a goalless draw at Montrose.

==Crest and colours==

===Crest===
[[File:TheRangersFCLogo1959.jpg|thumb|left|180px|alt=Lion rampant club crest before modernisation 1959-1968. Never appeared on the shirt|<div align="center">Lion rampant club crest 1959-1968. Never appeared on the shirt</div>]]
[[File:ScrollCrestRangersF.C.svg|thumb|180px|alt=Scroll crest. Has appeared on the chest of the Rangers home shirt 1968-Present|<div align="center">Scroll crest. Has appeared on the chest of the Rangers home shirt 1968-Present</div>]]
Unusually for a football club, Rangers have two different official [[Crest (heraldry)|crests]]. Today the original scroll crest appears on the club's strips whereas the [[lion (heraldry)|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 language|Scots]]), all surrounded by the team name, ''Rangers Football Club''. The lion rampant club crest was modernised in 1968; the lion rampant, team name, club motto and old style football all remained. It was again updated ever so slightly in the early 1990s to the current version. The modern circular crest is regularly used on club merchandise and by the media; it has never featured prominently on the club strip. Since 1968 Rangers have had two crests, the scroll crest made a return appearing on the chest of the club shirt for the first time while the modernised club crest was still the club's official logo. The scroll crest first appeared on the teams shorts for the start of the 1978–79 season.<ref name="Rangers Crest Badges">{{cite web|url=http://www.danburymint.co.uk/index.php?act=product&product_id=4250&cat_id=&mediacode=&kiks_code=|title=The Badges of Rangers Football Club|publisher=[[Danbury Mint]]|accessdate=21 January 2013|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9zFHSQa|archivedate=21 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers Crest History">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/history/crest|title=The Rangers Crest|publisher=[[Rangers FC]]|accessdate=21 January 2013|quote=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.}}</ref>

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 [[2002–03 in Scottish football|season in 2003]], which delivered Rangers a [[Treble (association football)#Domestic Treble|Domestic Treble]] and their 50th league title; [[Star (football badge)|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.<ref name="Rangers Crest Gersnet">{{cite web|url=http://www.therangersarchive.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=261&Itemid=326|title=The Rangers Crest|publisher=Gersnet Online|accessdate=21 January 2013|quote=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.}}</ref><ref name="Rangers home historical kits" />

[[File:Rangers FC logo 1990's.png|thumb|left|180px|alt=Lion rampant club crest 1969-1991. Never appeared on the shirt|<div align="center">Lion rampant club crest 1969-1991. Never appeared on the shirt</div>]]
[[File:StarScrollCrestRangersFC.svg|180px|thumb|right|alt=Scroll crest with additional 5 stars worn on the chest of the Rangers shirt 2003-Present|<div align="center">Scroll crest with additional 5 stars worn on the chest of the Rangers shirt 2003–Present</div>]]

===Colours===
The club [[color|colours]] of Rangers F.C. are [[royal blue]], white and red. However, for the majority of the first forty-eight years of Rangers existence the club played in a plain lighter blue home shirt. The only deviation from this was a four season period from 1879 when the side wore the lighter shade of blue and white in a hooped style. Traditionally this is accompanied by white shorts (often with royal blue and/or red trim) and black socks with red turn-downs. Rangers moved from the lighter shade of blue to royal blue in 1921, and have had a royal blue home shirt every year since. Black socks were first included in 1883 for five seasons before disappearing for eight years but became a more permanent fixture from 1896 onwards. When the red turn-downs were added to the socks in 1904, the strip began to look more like the modern day Rangers home kit. Occasionally the home kit will be altered by the shorts and socks, sometimes replacing the black socks with white ones; or replacing the white shorts and black socks combination with royal blue shorts and socks.<ref name="Rangers home historical kits">{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Rangers/Rangers.htm|title=Rangers|publisher=Historical Football Kits|accessdate=17 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9yqRFgb|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

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 [[Star_(polygon)#Six-pointed_stars|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.<ref name="Rangers away historical kits">{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Scottish_Football_League/Rangers/Rangers-change-kits.html|title=Rangers Change Kits|publisher=Historical Football Kits|accessdate=24 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9ytIGuU|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;"
|-
! colspan="7"|Selection of Rangers kits through history<ref name="Rangers home historical kits" />
|-
|{{Football kit box|pattern_la=|pattern_b=|pattern_ra=|pattern_so=_hoops_white|leftarm=0033FF|body=0033FF|rightarm=0033FF|shorts=FFFFFF|socks=0033FF|alt=The blue shirt, white shorts and blue & white hooped socks. Worn 1873–1879|title=<div align="center">The blue shirt, white shorts and blue & white hooped socks. Worn 1873–1879</div>}}
|{{Football kit box|pattern_la=|pattern_b=|pattern_ra=|pattern_so=_redtop|leftarm=FFFFFF|body=FFFFFF|rightarm=FFFFFF|shorts=000000|socks=000000|alt=A change kit featuring a white top. Worn 1916–1918, 1921-1932 and 1933-1934|title=<div align="center">A change kit featuring a white top. Worn 1916–1918, 1921-1932 and 1933-1934</div>}}
|{{Football kit box|pattern_la=|pattern_b=|pattern_ra=|pattern_so=|leftarm=0033FF|body=0033FF|rightarm=0033FF|shorts=FFFFFF|socks=000000|alt=The blue shirt, white shorts and black socks. Worn 1883–1888 and 1896–1904|title=<div align="center">The blue shirt, white shorts and black socks. Worn 1883–1888 and 1896–1904</div>}}
|{{Football kit box|pattern_la=|pattern_b=_collarwhite|pattern_ra=|pattern_so=_redtop|leftarm=0000FF|body=0000FF|rightarm=0000FF|shorts=FFFFFF|socks=000000|alt=The royal blue shirt with white collar and black socks with red tops. Worn 1921–1957|title=<div align="center">The royal blue shirt with white collar and black socks with red tops. Worn 1921–1957</div>}}
|{{Football kit box|pattern_la=|pattern_b=|pattern_ra=|pattern_so=_whitetop|leftarm=0000FF|body=0000FF|rightarm=0000FF|shorts=FFFFFF|socks=FF0000|alt=The royal blue shirt and red socks with white tops. Worn 1968–1973.|title=<div align="center">The royal blue shirt and red socks with white tops. Worn 1968–1973 and 2012-2013</div>}}
|{{Football kit box|pattern_la=|pattern_b=|pattern_ra=|pattern_so=_redtop|leftarm=0000FF|body=0000FF|rightarm=0000FF|shorts=FFFFFF|socks=000000|alt=The royal blue shirt and black socks with red tops. Worn 1958–1968 and 1973-1978|title=<div align="center">The royal blue shirt and black socks with red tops. Worn 1958–1968 and 1973-1978</div>}}
|}

===Sponsors and manufacturers===
Since 1978 when Rangers signed a deal with [[Umbro]] they have had a specific kit manufacturer and since 1984 have had a kit sponsor. When Rangers played French sides [[AJ Auxerre]] and [[RC Strasbourg]] in the [[1996–97 UEFA Champions League|1996–97 Champions League]] and the [[1996–97 UEFA Cup|UEFA Cup]] respectively, due to a French ban on [[alcohol advertising]] the team wore the logo of [[Center Parcs]] instead of [[McEwan's|McEwan's Lager]].<ref name="Alternative to alchoal">{{cite web|url=http://www.truecoloursfootballkits.com/articles/an-alternative-to-alcohol|title=An alternative to alcohol|publisher=True Colours|date=3 July 2009|author=Devlin, John|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=Rangers have actually sported the Center Parcs logo during the course of two seasons. It was first worn in the 1996–97 Champions League match at Auxerre that the French side won 2–1. Then in 97–98 a new style Center Parcs logo was worn in the UEFA Cup first round first leg game in Strasbourg where again the 'Gers lost 2–1 (also wearing their change blue shorts)|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0w8Q8nG|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The following tables detail the shirt sponsors and kit suppliers of Rangers by year:<ref name="Rangers home historical kits" />
{{clear right}}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed plainrowheaders" style="width: 25%; text-align: center; margin-left:1em; float: left"
|-
! colspan=3 | Kit suppliers<ref name="Rangers home historical kits" />
|-
! scope="col" |Dates
! scope="col" |Supplier
|-
| scope="row" |1978–1990
| [[Umbro]]
|-
| scope="row" |1990–1992
| [[Admiral Sportswear|Admiral]]
|-
| scope="row" |1992–1997
| [[Adidas]]
|-
| scope="row" |1997–2002
| [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
|-
| scope="row" |2002–2005
| [[Diadora]]
|-
| scope="row" |2005–2013
| [[Umbro]]
|-
| scope="row" |2013–2018
| [[Puma SE|Puma]]
|}
{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed plainrowheaders" style="width: 25%; text-align: center; margin-left:1em; float: left"
|-
! colspan=2 | Shirt sponsors<ref name="Rangers home historical kits" />
|-
! scope="col" |Dates
! scope="col" |Sponsor
|-
| scope="row" |1984–1987
| [[CR Smith]]
|-
| scope="row" |1987–1999
| [[McEwan's|McEwan's Lager]]
|-
| scope="row" |1999–2003
| [[Virgin Media|NTL]]
|-
| scope="row" |2003–2010
| [[Carling]]
|-
| scope="row" |2010–2013
| [[Wellpark Brewery|Tennent's]]
|-
| scope="row" |2013–2014
| [[Blackthorn Cider]]
|}

{{clear}}

== Stadium and training facility ==
{{Main|Ibrox Stadium|Murray Park}}
The club used a variety of grounds in Glasgow as a venue for home matches in the years between 1872 and 1899. The first was Flesher's Haugh, situated on [[Glasgow Green]], followed by [[Burnbank]] in the [[Kelvinbridge]] area of the city, and then [[Kinning Park]] for ten years from the mid-1870s to the mid-1880s. From February of the 1886–87 season, Cathkin Park was used until the first Ibrox Park, in the [[Ibrox, Glasgow|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 [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]] in [[London]]. The stadium was inaugurated on 30 December 1899, and Rangers defeated [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] 3–1 in the first match held there.<ref name="Archibald leitch">{{cite web|url=http://www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk/culture/football.html|title=Scottish football|date=June 2006|work=Global Friends of Scotland|publisher=[[Scottish Government]]|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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 1920’s 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.)|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061004113451/http://www.friendsofscotland.gov.uk/culture/football.html|archivedate=4 October 2006|deadurl=yes}}</ref><ref name="Rangers consider ibrox expansion">{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7173756.stm|title=Rangers consider Ibrox expansion|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=6 January 2008|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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 as a Category B listed building. Ibrox currently holds 51,082 fans, behind Hampden Park and Celtic Park.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6AA0T4jIx|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

{{wide image|Glasgow Rangers vs Hearts, Ibrox Stadium, 23 July 2011.jpg|1000px|alt=A panorama of Ibrox Stadium from the Broomloan Road End. This picture was taken the first match of the 2011/12 season, against Hearts of Midlothian.|A panorama of Ibrox Stadium from the Broomloan Road End. This picture was taken during the first match of the 2011/12 SPL season, Rangers vs Heart of Midlothian.}}

Rangers' training facility is located in [[Auchenhowie]], Glasgow. The facility is known as [[Murray Park]] after former chairman and owner Sir David Murray. It was proposed by then-manager Dick Advocaat upon his arrival at the club in 1998.<ref name="First foreign manager" /> It was completed in 2001 at a cost of £14&nbsp;million. Murray Park was the first purpose-built facility of its kind in Scotland, and incorporates features including nine football [[Association football pitch|pitches]], a state of the art [[gym]], a [[hydrotherapy]] pool, and a video-editing suite. Rangers' youth teams are also accommodated at Murray Park, with around 140 players between under-10 and under-19 age groups using the training centre. Various first-team players have come through the ranks at Murray Park, including [[Alan Hutton]], [[Chris Burke (footballer)|Chris Burke]], [[Steven Smith (footballer)|Stevie Smith]], [[John Fleck (footballer)|John Fleck]] and [[Charlie Adam]]. International club teams playing in Scotland, as well as national sides, have previously used Murray Park for training, and Advocaat's [[South Korea national football team|South Korea team]] used it for training prior to the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]].<ref name="Working with kids at murray park">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/working-with-kids-is-its-own-reward-for-the-man-in-charge-at-murray-park.17144559?_=343ae8e26ca054cfcc1f6cbfe5781dddc9059adc|title=Working with kids is its own reward for the man in charge at Murray Park|work=Herald Scotland|publisher=Newsquest|date=26 March 2012|accessdate=4 January 2013|author=MacDonald, Hugh|quote=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."|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DitfeHhJ|archivedate=16 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Murray Park">{{cite book|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kH8jMcBSqUIC&pg=PT84&lpg=PT83&ots=f9posqgFx5&dq=rangers+player+graduated+from+murray+park|title=For Richer, for Poorer: The Murray Years|publisher=[[Random House]]|author=Smith, Paul|year=2012|isbn=1780572824, 9781780572826|quote=add quote}}</ref>

==Supporters==
{{main|Rangers F.C. supporters}}
{{see also|Rangers Supporters' Trust|Follow Follow (fanzine)|2008 UEFA Cup Final riots}}
Rangers FC are one of the best supported clubs in Europe, with an average attendance that is consistently one of the highest on the continent, the figure for the [[2011–12 Rangers F.C. season|2011–12 season]] being the [[Average attendances of European football clubs|19th largest]] home league attendance.<ref name="Average home attendance">{{cite web|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/rangers/club_records_league_attendance.php|title=Average Home League Game Attendances|publisher=fitbastats|author1=Bobby Sinnet|author2=Thomas Jamieson|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=2011/2012 46,324|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9uNcG79|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The club's website lists over 150 supporters' clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,<ref name="UK supporters clubs">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/fans/uk-supporters-clubs|title=UK Supporters Clubs|publisher=Rangers FC|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9uZatik|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> with 95 further clubs spread across over 20 countries around the world.<ref name="World support clubs">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/fans/global-supporters-clubs|title=Global Supporters Clubs|publisher=Rangers FC|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=It includes representatives from all over the globe – including North America, Australasia and the Middle East – as well as closer to home in the United Kingdom. There are also clubs registered in far-flung locations such as Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Hong Kong and Peru.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9unnUds|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Rangers fans have contributed to several records for high attendances,<ref name="End to end stuff">{{cite book|title=End to End Stuff|publisher=[[Random House]]|author=Scott, Les|year=2008|page=17|isbn=0593060687, 9780593060681|url=http://books.google.com/?id=cqhm26eVPYMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=end+to+end+stuff#v=onepage&q=end%20to%20end%20stuff&f=false|quote=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.|accessdate=24 August 2012}}</ref> including the highest home attendance for a league fixture, 118,567 on 2 January 1939.<ref name="Record attendance"/> Rangers record highest attendance was against [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] on 27 March 1948 in the [[Scottish Cup]] semi-final at [[Hampden Park]]. Rangers beat [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] 1-0 in front of a packed 143,570 crowd.

In 2008, an estimated 150,000 Rangers supporters, many without match tickets, travelled to Manchester for the [[2008 UEFA Cup Final|UEFA Cup Final]].<ref name="Fans pile into manchester">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/police-to-boost-security-for-rangers-manchester-visit-2063388.html|title=150,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008|publisher=The Independent Group|work=[[The Independent]]|date=27 August 2010|author=Nisbet, John|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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 150,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008 and trouble started when a giant screen failed to work.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9uxeOCA|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Despite most supporters behaving "impeccably",<ref name="Fans riot in manchester">{{cite news|url=http://www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/147730-rangers-fans-clash-with-riot-police-after-uefa-cup-final-defeat|title=Rangers fans clash with riot police after Uefa Cup final defeat|work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]]|publisher=[[Associated Newspapers]]|date=14 May 2008|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9vGX3mk|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> a minority of fans [[riot]]ed in the city centre, clashing [[violence|violently]] with police and damaging property.<ref name="Majority fans well behaved">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2008/may/15/ukcrime1|title=Rangers fans clashed with riot police|date=15 May 2008|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9vUCGh6|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|author1=Carter, Helen|author2=Orr, James}}</ref><ref name="Minority of supporter riot">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7400641.stm|title=Rangers fans take long road home|date=15 May 2008|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=A number of supporters clashed with riot police after a big screen in Manchester broke down. Officers later confirmed 42 people had been arrested.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9vfpOny|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News}}</ref><ref name="Fans chase police">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/7402858.stm|title=CCTV shows fans chasing police|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|date=15 May 2008|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9vnxTh9|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

{{wide image|2008_UEFA_Cup_Final_-_Piccadilly_Gardens_-_Rangers.jpg|1000px|alt=A panorama of Rangers supporters at the 2008 UEFA Cup final, in the Piccadilly Gardens fan zone. This picture was taken during the day before the match against Zenit Saint Petersburg on 14 May 2008.|A panorama of Rangers supporters at the 2008 UEFA Cup final, in the Piccadilly Gardens fan zone. This picture was taken during the day before the match against Zenit Saint Petersburg on 14 May 2008.}}

===Rivalries===
The club's most distinct rivalry is with Glasgow neighbours [[Celtic F.C.]]; the two clubs are collectively known as the Old Firm, though they are not currently playing in the same league. Rangers' traditional support is largely drawn from the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Unionism in Scotland|Unionist]] community, whilst Celtic's traditional support is largely drawn from the [[Catholicism|Catholic]] community. The first Old Firm match was won by Celtic and there have been nearly four hundred matches played to date. The Old Firm rivalry has fuelled many assaults, sometimes leading to [[deaths]], on Old Firm derby days; an activist group that monitors [[Sectarianism|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.<ref name="101 places not to see before you die">{{cite book|title=101 Places Not to See Before You Die|publisher=[[Harper Collins]]|author=Price, Catherine|year=2010|isbn=0061787760, 9780061787768|url=http://books.google.com/?id=by3ZJt2TI2YC&printsec=frontcover&dq=101+Places+Not+to+See+Before+You+Die#v=onepage&q=101%20Places%20Not%20to%20See%20Before%20You%20Die&f=false|quote=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.|accessdate=24 August 2012|pages=174, 175}}</ref><ref name="old firm dnt need big stars">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/old-firm-dont-need-a-messi-1089843|title=Old Firm don't need a Messi or Ronaldo to be biggest derby in world, says Ali Russell|work=Daily Record|publisher=Trinity Mirror|date=18 December 2011|accessdate=24 August 2012|author=Haggerty, Anthony|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9yEwKNP|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

The rivalry with [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] began in the late 1970s when the two clubs were among the strongest in Scotland. 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.<ref name="Rangers aberdeen rivalary">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1161748/Millwall-v-West-Ham-Brighton-v-Palace-Aberdeen-v-Rangers--Sportsmails-guide-illogical-footballing-rivalries.html|title=Sportsmail's guide to illogical footballing rivalries|work=[[Daily Mail]]|publisher=Daily Mail and General Trust|date=13 March 2009|author=Lawford, Mark|quote=Dons supporters chant 'We hate Rangers more than you' when they play Celtic and a lot of this can be traced back to a challenge made by Neil Simpson on Ian Durrant in 1988 that kept the Rangers midfielder out of the game for nearly three years.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9x6kzEM|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Resentment continued and in 1998 an article in Rangers match programme branded Aberdeen fans "scum", although Rangers later issued a "full and unreserved apology" to Aberdeen and their supporters, which was accepted by Aberdeen.<ref name="Rangers issue apogoly to aberdeen">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-rangers-apologise-to-aberdeen-1185731.html|title=Rangers apologise to Aberdeen|accessdate=28 January 2010|publisher=The Independent Group|work=The Independent|date=18 November 1998|quote=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"|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9xOQFSR|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="History of bad blood">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1770821.stm|title=A history of bad blood|date=19 January 2002|accessdate=28 January 2010|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|quote=The catalyst for the recent venom between the two sets of supporters was the 1988 incident involving Neil Simpson and Iain Durrant.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9yLYwOE|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Fixtures have been described as "even more of a powderkeg than Old Firm games".<ref name="Police cordons to stop clash of fans">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-566702/A-football-match-Manchester-Uefa-Cup-Final-felt-like-war-zone.html|title=A football match? Manchester during the Uefa Cup Final felt more like a war zone|publisher=DAily Mail and General Trust|work=Daily Mail|author=Harris, Paul|date=15 May 2008|accessdate=22 December 2012|quote=In the heat of the night: A masked thug in the middle of other Rangers fans confronts a police cordon in Manchester city centre|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6JRTr69|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Rangers' fall to the Third Division has led to the club's original rivalry with [[Queen's Park F.C.|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.<ref name="Old rivalry 1">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/sfl-division-three/rangers-v-queen-s-park-renewing-an-age-old-rivalry-1-2575574|title=Rangers v Queen's Park: Renewing an age-old rivalry|publisher=Johnston Press|work=The Scotsman|author=Smith, Andrew|date=14 October 2012|accessdate=14 October 2012|quote=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.{{break}}...{{break}}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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6JV1QLV|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Old rivalry 2">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/old-rivalry-renewed.19134396?|title=Old rivalry renewed|publisher=Newsquest|work=Herald Scotland|date=14 October 2012|accessdate=14 October 2012|author=Fisher, Stewart|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6Jh8Uas|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Oldist derby in the world">{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/9621143/Rangers-and-Queens-Park-ready-to-resurrect-worlds-oldest-derby.html|title=Rangers and Queen's Park ready to resurrect world's oldest derby|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=19 October 2012|accessdate=16 January 2013|author=Forsyth, Roddy|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DiurwzA8|archivedate=16 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Sectarian chanting===
Sectarian chanting by supporters has incurred criticism and sanctions upon the club as well as convictions against individuals identified. 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.<ref name="Findley songs inquiry">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/scottish_premier/357392.stm|title=Findlay songs inquiry launched|date=9 June 1999|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1F4BiK3|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Findley caught singing songs">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/im-catholic-in-a-football-sense-1097932.html|title=I'm Catholic in a football sense|publisher=Independent Print limited|work=The Independent|date=4 June 1999|accessdate=18 August 2012|author=O'Sullivan, Jack|quote=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."|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1CiY5XG|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Findley interview">{{cite press_release|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/07_july/01/donald_findlay.shtml|title=On the Ropes – Donald Findlay QC|publisher=BBC Press Office|author=Humphrys, John|authorlink=John Humphrys|date=2 July 2002|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1D6X3Tx|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body have punished Rangers for incidents during European ties, most notably [[Villarreal CF|Villarreal]] in 2006,<ref name="Fans singing 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefa/footballfirst/matchorganisation/disciplinary/news/newsid=424237.html|title=Rangers appeal upheld|publisher=UEFA|work=UEFA.com|date=25 May 2006|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1DVIz35|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> [[CA Osasuna|Osasuna]] in 2007,<ref name="Uefa fine rangers and osasuna">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6564745.stm|title=Uefa fine for Rangers and Osasuna|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2007|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1DjzXqt|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> and [[PSV Eindhoven]] in 2011.<ref name="Fans singing 2">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/12996888.stm|title=Rangers to contest Uefa sectarian singing charge|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=7 April 2011|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=Rangers are to face a Uefa disciplinary hearing over allegations of sectarian singing during last month's Europa Lague match away to PSV Eindhoven. The club's chief executive Martin Bain says they are "utterly dismayed" by the decision and that they will defend the club's position "vigorously".|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1DxEk98|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Fans singing 3">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13218273.stm|title=Uefa fines Rangers and bans fans for one away game|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=28 April 2011|accessdate=28 April 2011|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1EB7VF1|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

==Sectarianism==
{{main|Sectarianism in Glasgow}}
During the 19th century, many [[immigration|immigrants]] came to Glasgow from Ireland – this was a time of considerable anti-Catholic and [[anti-Irish sentiment]] in Scotland. The early success of Celtic, a club associated with the Irish and Catholic community, has been described as sharpening Rangers' Protestant Unionist identity, contributing to the eventual absence of openly Catholic players from the team.<ref name="Protestant">{{cite book|title=Fear and loathing in world football|publisher=[[Berg Publishers]]|author1=Armstrong, Gary|author2=Giulianotti, Richard|year=2001|pages=25, 26|isbn=1 85973 463 4|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=CJxIbXQfE1IC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=15 August 2012|quote=Primrose with associated with the most virulent anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiment, and was openly allied with the orange order.}}</ref> From the early 20th century onwards, Catholics were not knowingly signed by the club, nor employed in other prominent roles as an '[[unspoken rule|unwritten rule]]'.<ref name="Non catholic signing policy">{{cite book|title=The Old Firm: Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland|publisher=John Donald Publishers|author=Murray, William J.|year=2000|pages=60,64,65,189|isbn=0859765423, 9780859765428}}</ref><ref name="Non catholic signing policy 2">{{cite book|title=Football: A Sociology of the Global Game|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|author=Giulianotti, Richard|year=1999|page=18|isbn=0745617697, 9780745617695|quote=Historically Rangers have maintained a staunch Protestant and anti-Catholic tradition which includes a ban on signing Catholic players.}}</ref><ref name="Non catholic signing policy 3">{{cite book|title=Glasgow, the Uneasy Peace: Religious Tension in Modern Scotland, 1819–1914|publisher=[[Manchester University Press|Manchester University Press ND]]|author=Gallagher, Tom|year=1987|page=300|isbn=0719023963, 9780719023965|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Xxy8AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=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.}}</ref><ref name="Non catholic signing policy 4">{{cite book|title=Graeme Souness: A Manager's Diary|publisher=[[Mainstream Publishing]]|author1=Souness, Graeme|author2=Gallacher, Ken|authorlink1=Graeme Souness|year=1989|page=17|isbn=185158224X, 9781851582242|quote=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.}}</ref>

In 1989, Rangers signed [[Mo Johnston|Maurice "Mo" Johnston]], "their first major Roman Catholic signing".<ref name="First roman catholic">{{cite news|url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2507&dat=19890711&id=Qw01AAAAIBAJ&sjid=oKULAAAAIBAJ&pg=5286,2680408|title=Ibrox lands double coup with Johnston|work=Herald Scotland|date=11 July 1989|accessdate=18 August 2012|author=Laing, Allan|page=1|quote=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.}}</ref> Johnston was the highest-profile Catholic to sign for the club since the [[World War I]] era, though other Catholics had signed for Rangers before.<ref name="Non catholic signing policy" /><ref name="Other catholics had signed before">{{cite book|title=Football Against the Enemy|publisher=[[Orion Publishing Group|Orion]]|author=Kuper, Simon|authorlink=Simon Kuper|year=2006|isbn=0-7528-4877-1}}</ref> Since Johnston's signing, an influx of overseas footballers has contributed to Catholic players becoming common place at Rangers.<ref name="Influx of foreign unwritten rule abolished" >{{cite web|url=http://www.newstatesman.com/books/2012/03/celtic-firm-rangers-football|title=Decline and fall of the Old Firm|publisher=[[New Statesman]]|date=18 March 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|author=Kuper, Simon|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1BLbl4U|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In 1999 [[Lorenzo Amoruso]] became the first Catholic captain of the club.<ref name="First catholic captain">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/former-old-firm-italians-give-1038540|title=Former Old Firm Italians give their take on derby clash|date=7 October 2009|accessdate=18 August 2012|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|quote=I've been Rangers' first Catholic captain |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A1BfgTVn|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

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-racist, anti-sectarian campaigns.<ref name="Rangers and celtic team together to tackle sectarianism">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/spl-remains-tight-lipped-over-report-on-parkhead-chanting-1-830134|title=SPL Remains tight-lipped over report on Parkhead chanting|work=The Scotsman|publisher=[[Johnston Press]]|author=Rumsby, Ben|date=18 February 2009|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A14Ytaoh|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Racism has been directed at players on the pitch at Rangers games, including at former Celtic player Bobo Balde.<ref name="Root out racism">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2003/mar/10/newsstory.sport6|title=Rangers to root out racists|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|date=10 March 2003|accessdate=19 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9yCusaJ|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>|group="n"}} [[William Gaillard]], UEFA's Director of Communications, commended the SFA and Scottish clubs, including Rangers, for their actions in fighting discrimination.<ref name="UEFA applaud rangers for fighting sectarianism">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/top-football-stories/sfa-praised-for-stance-on-bigotry-1-725107|title=SFA praised for stance on bigotry|work=[[The Scotsman]]|publisher=[[Johnston Press]]|accessdate=24 August 2012|date=13 November 2006|author=Wright, Angus|quote="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."|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A14by7MJ|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> In September 2007, UEFA praised Rangers for the measures the club has taken against sectarianism.<ref name="UEFA praise rangers for there work">{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/scotland/article2501036.ece|title=Uefa praises Rangers for action on bigotry|publisher=[[News Corporation]]|work=[[The Times]]|date= 21 September 2007|accessdate=22 March 2009|author=Spiers, Graham|authorlink=Graham Spiers}}{{subscription}}</ref><ref name="Uefa praise rangers work 2">{{cite web|url=http://empower-sport.com/focus/scottish-premier-league/43-no-surrender-to-bigotry-.html|title=No Surrender to Bigotry|publisher=Empower-Sport|work=Empower-Sport British Supplement|date=20 February 2009|accessdate=18 August 2012|author=Sekar, Satish|authorlink=Satish Sekar|quote=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.”|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0kjyFpz|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

==Ownership and finances==
{{main|Ownership of Rangers F.C.|Administration and liquidation of The Rangers Football Club Plc}}

===Incorporation to limited company and then to a PLC===
Rangers Football Club became a [[limited company]] on 27 May 1899<ref name="RFC 2012 PLC" /> when it was incorporated as The Rangers Football Club Ltd. It continued in this form until, in 2000, [[David Murray (Scottish businessman)|David Murray]] decided to list the company on the [[stock exchange]], making it a public limited company. The name of the company was therefore changed to The Rangers Football Club Plc.<ref name="Rangers float on the stock market">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2000/mar/31/newsstory.sport6|title=Rangers to float as it chases global glory|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|date=31 March 2000|accessdate=23 August 2012|author=Teather, David|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9STfbBf|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Craig Whyte and administration===
On 6 May 2011, [[Craig Whyte]] bought David Murray's shares for £1.<ref name="Craig whyte buys rangers for £1">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13292829.stm|title=Craig Whyte completes takeover of Rangers for £1|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=6 May 2011|author1=Currie, David|author2=Lamont, Alasdair|author3=McLaughlin, Chris|authorlink1=David Currie (broadcaster)|authorlink2=Alisdair Lamont|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=Craig Whyte has completed his takeover of Rangers for £1 but amid continuing concerns by board members about his ability to invest sufficient funds.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A11wg0v5|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 13 February 2012. Whyte filed legal papers at the [[Court of Session]] giving notice of their intention to appoint administrators.<ref name="Rangers go into administration">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17015966|title=Rangers FC signals intent to go into administration|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=Rangers Football Club has confirmed it has filed legal papers at the Court of Session to appoint administrators.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A12EeRIK|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no|date=13 February 2012}}</ref> The next day, The Rangers Football Club Plc – which was subsequently renamed <nowiki>RFC 2012</nowiki> Plc – entered administration over non-payment of £9 million in [[Pay-as-you-earn tax|PAYE]] and [[Value Added Tax (United Kingdom)|VAT]] taxes to HM Revenue and Customs.<ref name="BBC news administration">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17026172|title=Rangers Football Club enters administration|date=14 February 2012|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=HMRC lodged its petition over alleged non-payment of about £9m in PAYE and VAT following Craig Whyte's takeover.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9hkk8eN|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Record rangers in adminstration">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/rangers/2012/02/14/rangers-in-crisis-administration-was-sparked-by-9m-unpaid-vat-and-paye-bill-taxman-reveals-86908-23748868/|title=Rangers in crisis: Administration was sparked by £9million bill for unpaid VAT and PAYE|date=14 February 2012|publisher=Trinity Mirror|work=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=RANGERS went into administration today – as it was revealed they had failed to pay £9million in VAT and PAYE from the current financial year.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9hwF9BH|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> 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 Tribunal|First Tier Tax Tribunal]] concerning a disputed tax bill in relation to an [[Employee stock ownership plan|EBT]] scheme employed by the club since 2001.<ref name="Debts could top 134m">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17628749|title=Rangers' estimated debts could top £134m|date=5 April 2012|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|accessdate=13 September 2012|quote=Rangers' administrators estimate that the club's total debts could top £134m.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6RdNcwI|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> However, on 20 November 2012, the Tribunal ruled in favour of Rangers. If that decision is upheld the tax bill could be significantly reduced from an estimated £74m to under £2m.<ref name="Rangers Win 'Big Tax Case'">{{cite news|title=Rangers win 'Big Tax Case' appeal over use of Employee Benefit Trusts|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers/9691141/Rangers-win-Big-Tax-Case-appeal-over-use-of-Employee-Benefit-Trusts.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|publisher=Telegraph Media Group|author=Grahams, Ewing|date=21 November 2012|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6RiMutT|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="EBT Decision">{{cite web|title=ANONYMISED FORM OF THE DECISION|url=http://www.financeandtaxtribunals.gov.uk/judgmentfiles/j6851/TC02372.pdf|publisher=UK Government|work=[[Upper Tribunal|Finance and Tax Tribunals]]|format=pdf|accessdate=27 November 2012|quote=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6SDHIpx|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 4 February 2103, HMRC lodged an appeal of the FFT decision and a further hearing will be carried out by a Second Tier Tribunal.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21326039</ref>

On 25 June 2012, the [[Crown Office]] asked [[Strathclyde Police]] to investigate the purchase of Rangers and the club's subsequent financial management during Whytes tenure.<ref name="Police probe whyte">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-18582965|title=Rangers in crisis: Police asked to probe Craig Whyte takeover|publisher=BBC|work=BBC News|date=25 June 2012|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=A criminal investigation is to be launched into Craig Whyte's takeover of Rangers Football Club in May last year.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9mAhL3e|archivedate=24 August 2004|deadurl=no}}</ref>

===Liquidation of PLC and current ownership===
Charles Green agreed a deal with the administrators of The Rangers Football Club Plc to purchase its business and assets, including Rangers FC, for a £5.5million fee if the proposed [[Trading while insolvent (UK)#Company voluntary arrangement|CVA]] was to be rejected. On 14 June 2012, the formal rejection of the proposed CVA<ref name="CVA rejected">{{cite news|title=Rangers liquidation now inevitable after CVA bid rejected by HMRC|url=http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/105837-rangers-liquidation-now-inevitable-after-cva-bid-rejected-by-hmrc/|accessdate=22 December 2012|publisher=[[Scottish Television|STV]]|work=STV Glasgow|date=12 June 2012|author=Farrell, Mike|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6fvFxiT|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> meant that the old company would enter the [[liquidation]] process.<ref name="Murray makes criminal complaint">{{cite news|url=http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/202988-rangers-tax-case-leaks-sir-david-murray-makes-criminal-complaint/|title=Rangers tax case leaks: Sir David Murray makes 'criminal complaint'|publisher=STV|work=STV Glasgow|date=27 November 2012|accessdate=22 December 2012|quote=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 {{#tag:nowiki|RFC 2012}} Plc, formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc, has been placed into liquidation.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6foWaI0|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Old company in liquidation">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/scotland/20830558|title=Rangers chief Charles Green criticises Tannadice ticket plan|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport Scotland|date=23 December 2012|accessdate=23 December 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D7x4XKBS|archivedate=23 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="SPL EBT Investigation comittee">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21242267|title=SPL independent commission into Rangers player payments begins|work=[[BBC Scotland]]|date=29 January 2013|accessdate=29 January 2013|author=McLaughlin, Chris|publisher=BBC|quote=The three-man commission will decide if the company that formerly ran Rangers broke Scottish Premier League rules.{{break}}...{{break}}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.{{break}}...{{break}}The probe was launched before the company that ran Rangers - The Rangers Football Club Plc - was consigned to liquidation.{{break}}The consortium now running the club, led by chief executive Charles Green, has refused to recognise or co-operate with the investigation.|archiveurl=|archivedate=|deadurl=no}}</ref> The [[accountancy]] firm [[BDO International|BDO]] were appointed to reveal why the company running the club failed.<ref name="BDO appointed to find out why plc failed">{{cite news|title=Rangers in Crisis|url=http://news.stv.tv/scotland/105870-rangers-crisis-hmrc-look-to-investigate-those-responsible-for-meltdown/|accessdate=24 August 2012|publisher=STV|work=STV News|date=12 June 2012|author=Farrell, Mike|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9j4ROZg|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers plc liquidation">{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spl/rangers-liquidated-as-cva-formally-rejected-1-2353211|work=The Scotsman|publisher=Johnston Press|title=Rangers liquidated as CVA formally rejected|date=14 June 2012|accessdate=30 July 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9qnvPOT|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

Hours after the CVA's rejection, Charles Green completed the purchase of the business and assets, including Rangers FC, of the old company through the company Sevco Scotland Ltd.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/little-black-and-white-as-green-faces-closer-scrutiny.20769831 | title=Little black and white as Green faces closer scrutiny | publisher=The Herald | accessdate=2013-04-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.scotprem.com/content/mediaassets/doc/Commission%20Decision%2028%2002%202013.pdf | title=Commission Decision | publisher=SPL | accessdate=2013-04-17}}</ref>

The new company acquired Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park along with various other assets including [[intellectual property]], [[goodwill (accounting)|goodwill]] and various contracts.<ref name="Green completes asset buy">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2159368/The-Rangers-Football-Club-bought-Charles-Green.html|title=Welcome to 'The Rangers Football Club'... new name for crisis club as Green beats late Smith bid to seal deal|date=14 June 2012|accessdate=14 August 2012|quote=Green completed his £5.5million newco acquisition after his Company Voluntary Arrangement was formally rejected.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9rSRCZQ|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no|work=Daily Mail|publisher=Daily Mail and General Trust}}</ref><ref name="Green buys rangers">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/scottish/charles-green-completes-purchase-of-rangers-assets-7851528.html|title=Charles Green completes purchase of Rangers assets|work=The Independent|publisher=Independent Print Ltd|date=14 June 2012|quote=Green completed his £5.5million newco acquisition after his Company Voluntary Arrangement was formally rejected.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9rXUfRb|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="History and titles transferred">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18417120|title=Rangers players must join newco – Charles Green|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=12 June 2012|accessdate=23 December 2012|quote="The position of Duff & Phelps is that we will remain as administrators probably for some more weeks. We will then get release from that position and the company will be passed into liquidation. But just to stress the club will have been sold and moved out of the company by then.{{break}}"The history of the club remains with the club, so the club moves from Rangers Plc into the new company and all of the titles and 140-year history will remain with the club. That was part of the two-stage process we set up with Charles Green all those weeks ago."|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D8XP6ARy|archivedate=23 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Sevco Scotland Ltd subsequently changed its name to 'The Rangers Football Club Ltd' at the end of July 2012.<ref name="Sevco scotland ltd">{{cite web|url=http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/SC425159|title=THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED|publisher=UK Government|work=Companies House|date=29 May 2012|accessdate=22 December 2012|quote=Registration Date: 29/05/2012{{break}}PreviousNames{{break}}CONDate 31/07/2012{{break}}CompanyName SEVCO SCOTLAND LIMITED|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6hrq9dg|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

As a result of Rangers' "[[asset]]s, business and [[history]]" being sold to a new company when The Rangers Football Club Plc (subsequently renamed as {{#tag:nowiki|RFC 2012}} Plc) entered the liquidation process, the extent to which Rangers can be regarded as a continuation of the club officially founded in 1872 has been interpreted differently. Rangers Football Club has been described by some in the mainstream media as a "new club",<ref name="Club liquidated">{{cite news|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/28/rangers-uncharted-waters-fears|title=Rangers sail into uncharted waters amid myriad fears and flaws|work=The Guardian|publisher=Guardian Media Group|date=28 July 2012|author=Murray, Ewan|quote=Summer of schisms and machinations sparked by the Ibrox club's liquidation has left Scottish football facing the unknown|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9rgvkVd|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers liquidated 2">{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19040706|title=Rangers newco owner Charles Green make bigotry claim over SPL rejection|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=29 July 2012|quote=Charles Green has claimed that bigotry was among the motives for punishing the new Rangers for the misdemeanours of the old Ibrox club.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9ro1wjk|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers liquidated 3">{{cite news|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/aberdeen/107877-aberdeen-are-the-fifth-spl-club-to-confirm-they-will-vote-against-newco/|title=Newco Rangers to be refused SPL entry as six clubs say they will vote no|publisher=STV|work=STV Sport|date=25 June 2012|accessdate=6 August 2012|quote=Newco Rangers look certain to be refused SPL membership after Aberdeen and St Johnstone revealed they will vote against a new company taking the crisis-hit club's place.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9rscbUs|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> whilst the then [[Chief executive officer|Chief Executive]], Charles Green, maintained "this is still Rangers".<ref name="same club 1">{{cite web|url=http://www.scotzine.com/2012/07/in-full-rangers-newco-statement-on-sfa-membership/|title=In full: Rangers newco statement on SFA membership|publisher=Scotzine|work=Scotzine.com|date=27 July 2012|author=Muirhead, Andy|quote=This is still Rangers and the next chapter of our history has the potential to be one of the greatest stories in the history of sport. The Rangers revival begins now and I, for one, am looking forward to the journey|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9sDdJL7|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Same club 2">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19120224|title=Rangers' SFA membership rubber-stamped|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=3 August 2012|accessdate=13 August 2012|quote=Rangers have received full membership of the Scottish Football Association, the governing body has confirmed.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9sGx5RZ|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="UEFA scottish cup squad">{{cite web|url=http://uk.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=50121/domestic/index.html|title=
Rangers FC|date=8 December 2012|accessdate=31 December 2012|work=uefa.com|publisher=UEFA|quote=Click on scottish cup squad and it displays the squad from 2012/2013 and the league squad of SPL the season before|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DK9NB3aq|archivedate=31 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Though the SPL chairman Neil Doncaster said "it is an existing club, even though it's a new company",<ref name="SPL say its a existing club">{{cite video|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/rangers/111130-full-video-interview-spl-chief-neil-doncaster-on-rangers-and-his-future/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitte|title=Full video interview: SPL chief Neil Doncaster on Rangers and his future|publisher=STV|work=STV Sport|date=18 July 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9sMbGFwe|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Government recongise work of the club">{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/374|title=Early day motion 374|publisher=UK Government|date=11 July 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=That this House acknowledges the strenuous efforts being made by the current management, playing and backroom staff at Rangers Football Club to set the Club on a sound financial footing; commends the sacrificial financial moves made by many at Rangers in recent months to help alleviate the problems caused by previous owners; and calls on the Scottish football authorities, if they believe in integrity, to move quickly so that both Rangers with their worldwide fan base and all other clubs can prepare for the new season, allowing genuine football fans to enjoy the game and the clubs they love.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0gz94uq|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has described Rangers as having moved from being "a club in administration trying to do a company voluntary arrangement, to a club facing liquidation and becoming a newco."<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21309776 Q&A: Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan on Rangers] bbc.co.uk, accessed 2 February 2013</ref>

The new company formally applied to acquire the SPL share of The Rangers Football Club Plc on 18 June 2012. The SPL agreed to consider the request to transfer the share, but on 4 July, voted by 10–1 to reject the application. [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] abstained and the old Rangers company voted in favour.<ref name="Newco refused spl admission" /> The Rangers Football Club Plc's share in the SPL was subsequently transferred to The Dundee Football Club Ltd.<ref name="Rangers Nimmo Smith" /> 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. On the same day a place in the fourth tier of Scottish Football, [[Scottish Football League Third Division|Scottish Third Division]] for the 2012–13 season, rather than the [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] from the two options presented to the SFL member clubs with 25 of the 30 clubs voting that the club should be placed in Division Three.<ref name="Rangers relegated to 3rd division" /><ref name="Reformed and relaunched">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19225698|title=Rangers: Newcastle's Mike Ashley ready to buy Ibrox share|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=11 August 2012|accessdate=24 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9ona0sN|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Division one plan">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18656012|title=Raith & Clyde criticise Rangers newco Division One plan|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=30 June 2012|accessdate=30 July 2012|quote=Raith Rovers and Clyde insist plans to place the Rangers newco in Scottish Division One should not be forced upon Scottish Football League clubs.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9qxZN9C|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

An application was made for a transfer of [[Scottish Football Association|SFA]] membership on 29 June 2012, with the new company applying for the transfer of the membership of The Rangers Football Club Plc.<ref name="Scottish FA issues Rangers update">{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1961&newsCategoryID=3&newsID=10204|title=Scottish FA issues Rangers update|publisher=SFA|work=scottishfa.co.uk|date=17 July 2012|accessdate=28 January 2013}}</ref><ref name="Rangers sfa membership bid">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18641075|title=Charles Green gives SFA details for membership bid|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=13 July 2012|accessdate=20 December 2012|quote="We have received an information pack from Sevco Scotland relevant to their membership application," said the SFA.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6rkzkd3|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Agreement was reached on the transfer with the new company accepting a number of conditions relating to the old company.<ref name="SFA membership transferred">{{cite web|title=Agreement on Transfer of Membership|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2986&newsID=10252&newsCategoryID=1|date=27 July 2012|publisher=Scottish Football Association|work=scottishfa.co.uk|accessdate=30 July 2012|quote=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. |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9r14crB|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/new-and-recent-issues/new-recent-issue-details.html?issueId=8816 Rangers International Football Club plc] londonstockexchange.com, accessed 27 January 2013</ref>

==Rangers Charity Foundation==
The Rangers [[Foundation (non-profit)|Charity Foundation]] was created in 2002 and participates in a wide range of [[Charity (practice)|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 [[Disease|sick]], [[disability|disabled]] and disadvantaged children to attend matches and tours at Ibrox, with the chance to meet the players.<ref name="Rangers charity foundation">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangerscharity.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=43|title=Introducing The Foundation|publisher=Rangers Charity Foundation|work=Rangerscharity.org.uk|accessdate=25 August 2012|quote=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|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6sOYqWh|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers charity foundation to be investigated">{{cite news|url=http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/299946-inquiry-into-rangers-charity-over-match-against-ac-milan/|title=Inquiry into Rangers charity match against AC Milan|publisher=STV|work=STV Glasgow|date=6 March 2012|accessdate=22 December 2012|author=Farrell, Mike|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6sFmy2F|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>

==Records==
{{Main|List of Rangers F.C. records and statistics}}

===Club===
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Record league percentage win
100% 1898–99<ref name="Record 100% league win">{{cite book|title=Great Sporting Rivals (Large Print 16pt)|publisher=ReadHowYouWant.com|author=Romanos, Joseph|year=2010|page=139|isbn=1458779661, 9781458779663|url=http://books.google.com/?id=KHf9vFXIOLEC&pg=PA139&lpg=PA139&dq=rangers+football+club+records#v=onepage&q=rangers%20football%20club%20records&f=false|accessdate=2012-12-25}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Rangers are the only team in history to ever have accomplished this.<ref name="Rangers the complete record" />|group="n"}}
;Highest Ever Attendance
143,570 vs [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]], 27 March 1948<ref name="Rangers the complete record">{{cite book|title=Rangers: The Complete Record|publisher=Breedon Books|author1=Ferrier, Bob|author2=McElroy, Robert|year=2005|isbn=1-85983-481-7}}</ref><ref name="Glasgow rangers player by player 1990">{{cite book|title=Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player|publisher=The Crowood Press|author1=Ferrier, Bob|author2=McElroy, Robert|year=1990|isbn=1-85223-404-0}}</ref><ref name="Glasgow rangers player by player 1998">{{cite book|title=Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player|publisher=The Crowood Press|author1=Ferrier, Bob|author2=McElroy, Robert|year=1998|isbn=0-600-59495-5}}</ref>
;British record home [[Scottish football attendance records|Attendance]]
118,567 vs [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], 2 January 1939<ref name="Founded 1872" /><ref name="Record attendance" /><ref name="records">{{cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Scottish Football|author1=Potter, David|author2=Jones, Phil|authorlink1=David W. Potter|year=2011|publisher=Pitch Publishing|isbn=1908051108|pages=95–103, 294|accessdate=19 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="records 2">{{cite book|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–12|author1=Rollin, Glenda|author2=Rollin, Jack|publisher=[[Headline Publishing Group|Headline]]|isbn=0755362322|pages=758–759|date=4 August 2011|accessdate=19 August 2012}}</ref>
;World record fourth tier Attendance
49,913 vs [[Stirling Albion F.C.|Stirling Albion]], 8 December 2012<ref name="World record fourth tier attendance" /><ref name="Rangers beat there own 4th tier world record" /><ref name="Rangers beat there record again" />
;Highest European Attendance
100,000 vs [[FC Dynamo Kyiv|Dynamo Kyiv]], 16 September 1987<ref name="Highest European Attendance">{{cite book|title=Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player|publisher=[[The Crowood Press]]|author=Ferrier, Bob and McElroy, Robert|authorlink=[[Bob Ferrier (disambiguation)|Bob Ferrier]]|year=1990|isbn=1-85223-404-0}}</ref>
{{col-2}}
;Highest scoring match
14–2 vs [[Blairgowrie F.C.|Blairgowrie]], 20 January 1934<ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" />
;Record league victory
10–0 vs [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]], 24 December 1898<ref name="Founded 1872" /><ref name="Rangers the complete record" />
;World record league titles won
54<ref name="Most league titles in the world">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/football-titles-world-league-rangers-top-but-who-is-most-dominant-6939583.html|title=Football titles world league: Rangers top, but who is most dominant?|publisher=Independent Print Ltd|work=The Independent|date=16 February 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0iR7kOt|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
;World record trebles won
7<ref name="Number of treble wins">{{cite web|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/doublerec.html#treb|title=Number of Treble Wins|publisher=[[Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation]]|work=rssf.com|accessdate=18 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0iGhBuR|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
;World record trophies won
115<ref name="World record number of trophies">{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/group/Rangers+F.C.|title=Rangers F.C|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=[[Last.fm|Last F.M.]]|date=21 May 2011|accessdate=23 December 2012|quote=Total number of recognised trophies – 115 *WORLD RECORD*|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D88pA5RI|archivedate=23 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
{{Col-end}}

===Player===
{{Col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
; Record appearances
[[John Greig]], 755, 1960–1978<ref name="Founded 1872" /><ref name="Rangers uefa page" />
; Record goalscorer
[[Ally McCoist]], 355 goals, 1983–1998<ref name="Rangers uefa page" /><ref name="records 2" />
{{col-2}}
; Most league goals
[[Ally McCoist]], 251 goals<ref name="Rangers the complete record" />
; Most Scotland caps whilst playing at Rangers
[[Ally McCoist]], 60 caps 61 in total<ref name="records 2" /><ref name="McCoist playing history">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19677677|title=Rangers manager Ally McCoist not trading on legend status|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=21 September 2012|accessdate=24 September 2012|quote=International honours: 61 caps and 19 goals for Scotland|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6wNYUVY|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
{{Col-end}}

==Players==

===First team squad===
''As of August 2012''<ref name="first team squad">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/teams/first-team|title=First Team|publisher=Rangers FC|date=August 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0eO7j9H|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="first team squad 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/teams/rangers|title=Rangers|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=August 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0ebhSWG|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
<!-- Since SFL rules means no squad numbers when adding players first order them by position, going from GK, DF, MF, FW then order by second name -->
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=[[Neil Alexander]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Scott Gallacher}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=[[Blair Currie]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=IRL|pos=GK|name=Alan Smith}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=GRE|pos=DF|name=[[Anestis Argyriou]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=[[Darren Cole]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=BRA|pos=DF|name=[[Emílson Cribari]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=[[Sébastien Faure (footballer)|Sébastien Faure]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NIR|pos=DF|name=Chris Hegarty}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=CAN|pos=DF|name=Luca Gasparotto}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=[[Ross Perry]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=[[Lee Wallace]]|other=[[Vice Captain (football)|vice-captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Fraser Aird}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Ian Black (footballer born 1985)|Ian Black]]}}
{{Fs mid}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Robbie Crawford}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Danny Stoney}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Kyle Hutton]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Lewis Macleod (footballer)|Lewis Macleod]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[Lee McCulloch]]|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NIR|pos=MF|name=[[Andrew Mitchell (Northern Irish footballer)|Andrew Mitchell]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NIR|pos=MF|name=[[Dean Shiels]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=[[David Templeton]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Tom Walsh}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Andrew Murdoch}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=NIR|pos=FW|name=[[Andrew Little (footballer)|Andrew Little]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=[[Barrie McKay]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=[[Kal Naismith]]}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Kane Hemmings]]}}
{{Fs end}}

====Out on loan====
{{Fs start}}
{{Fs player|no=|nat=Romania|pos=DF|name=[[Dorin Goian]]|other=at [[Spezia Calcio]] until the end of the 2012–13 season}}<ref name="goian leaves on loan for the season">{{cite news|title=Rangers: Dorin Goian leaves as Maurice Edu is linked with Stoke|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19338654|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=21 August 2012|accessdate=21 August 2012|quote=Defender Dorin Goian has left Rangers to join Italian Serie B club Spezia on a season-long loan.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9RCJMgE|archivedate=24 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
{{Fs player|no=|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=[[Carlos Bocanegra]]|other=at [[Racing de Santander]] until the end of the 2012–13 season}}<ref name="Bocanegra leaves on loan">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19446772|title=Rangers: Carlos Bocanegra joins Racing Santander on loan|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=31 August 2012|accessdate=6 September 2012|quote=Racing Santander have announced that they have signed defender Carlos Bocanegra on loan from Rangers.{{break}}The Spanish second division club said the 33-year-old United States captain had joined until June.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6wgrvTR|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
{{Fs end}}

==Board of Directors==
''As of December 2012''<ref name="Rangers board of directors">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/information/chairman-board|title=Board Of Directors |publisher=Rangers FC|work=Rangers.co.uk|date=December 2012|accessdate=21 January 2013}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position
! Name
|-
|Non-Executive Chairman
|[[Malcolm Murray (businessman)|Malcolm Murray]]
|-
|Chief Executive Officer
|(vacant)
|-
|Finance Director
|Brian Stockbridge
|-
|Director
|[[Charles Green (businessman)|Charles Green]]
|-
|Non-Executive Director
|[[Walter Smith]]
|-
|Non-Executive Director
|Ian Hart
|-
|Non-Executive Director
|Bryan Smart
|-
|Non-Executive Director
|Phillip Cartmell
|}

==Backroom staff==
''As of August 2012''<ref name="Rangers backroom staff">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/teams/backroom-staff|title=Backroom Staff|publisher=Rangers FC|work=Rangers.co.uk|date=August 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0g0lBpZ|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Position
! Name
|-
|Manager
|[[Ally McCoist]]
|-
|Assistant Manager
|[[Kenny McDowall]]
|-
|First Team Coach
|[[Ian Durrant]]
|-
|Goalkeeping Coach
|[[Jim Stewart (Scottish footballer)|Jim Stewart]]
|-
|Fitness Coach
|[[Adam Owen]]
|-
|Head of Youth Development
|Jim Sinclair<ref name="Jim sinclair">{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/teams/academy-information/key-staff/item/2526-jim-sinclair|title=Jim Sinclair|publisher=Rangers FC|work=Rangers.co.uk|accessdate=5 January 2013|quote=RANGERS appointed Jim Sinclair as Youth Academy Director at Murray Park in August 2006.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DkGh41a9|archivedate=17 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="SFA man heads up rangers youth setup">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5089146.stm|title=SFA man to head Gers youth set-up|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=16 June 2006|accessdate=5 January 2013|quote=Rangers have announced the appointment of Jim Sinclair from the Scottish Football Association as director of their youth academy.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DkGpnUaN|archivedate=17 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|-
|Head of Football Administration
|Andrew Dickson<ref name="Andrew Dickson">{{cite web|url=http://rangers.co.uk/teams/backroom-staff/item/462-andrew-dickson|title=Andrew Dickson|publisher=Rangers FC|work=Rangers.co.uk|accessdate=5 January 2013|quote=AS Rangers' head of football administration, Andrew Dickson is a key member of the executive team on the business side of the club.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DkGwajBo|archivedate=17 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers reshuffle top executives">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/4262186.stm|title=Rangers reshuffle top executives |publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=19 September 2005|accessdate=5 January 2013|quote=Andrew Dickson, who had been working with Ogilvie, takes responsibility for football administration and Craig Mulholland for youth administration.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DkH5dGtS|archivedate=17 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|-
|Commercial Director
|Imran Ahmad<ref name="New RFC Appointments">{{Cite web|url=http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/2427-new-rfc-appointments|title=New RFC Appointments|publisher=Rangers FC|work=Rangers.co.uk|date=17 October 2012|accessdate=5 January 2013|quote=Imran Ahmad has joined the Club as Commercial Director and will be responsible for generating and developing new business and investment opportunities.{{break}}
Craig Mather has been appointed as Director of Sports Development and will assist the Club in reviewing the overall organisational structure and assume financial responsibilities for Murray Park.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DkHGxMkn|archivedate=17 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Rangers new appointments">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/rangers-announce-new-director-roles.1350497458|title=Rangers announce new director roles|work=Herald Scotland|date=17 October 2012|accessdate=17 January 2013|quote=Existing director Imran Ahmad has been named as commercial director, with responsibility for developing new business and investment opportunities, and Craig Mather has been appointed as director of sports development.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DkICuH9M|archivedate=17 January 2013|deadurl=no|publisher=Newsquest}}</ref>
|-
|Director of Sports Development
|Craig Mather<ref name="New RFC Appointments" /><ref name="Rangers new appointments" />
|-
|Director of Communications
|[[Jim Traynor]]<ref name="Jim Traynor">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20652118|title=Rangers: Jim Traynor appointed Ibrox director of communication|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=8 December 2012|accessdate=5 January 2013|quote=Rangers: Jim Traynor appointed Ibrox director of communication|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6DkHREXie|archivedate=17 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref>
|-
|Physiotherapist
|Steve Walker
|-
|Doctor
|Dr Paul Jackson
|-
|Kit Controller
|Jimmy Bell
|-
|Masseur
|David Lavery
|-
|Team Analyst
|Steve Harvey
|}

===Team managers===
{{For|a list of team managers|List of Rangers F.C. managers}}

Only 13 men have been manager of Rangers during their 141-year history.<ref name="Smith return" /><ref name="McCoist in Smith out">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/9404913.stm|title=McCoist confirmed as Smith's successor|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=22 February 2011|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0i1xyWj|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref><ref name="Durrant takes charge">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/6231965.stm|title=Rangers reel as Le Guen departs|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=4 January 2007|accessdate=18 August 2012|author1=Taylor, Julian|quote=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.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0hu0Dzk|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> The longest serving manager is Bill Struth who served for 34 years and 26 days. Rangers have had two foreign managers during their history; Dick Advocaat (1 June 1998 to 12 December 2001)<ref name="First foreign manager" /><ref name="McLeish appointment" /> and Paul Le Guen (9 May 2006 to 4 January 2007) who is the manager with the shortest time at the club.<ref name="Le guen departures" /><ref name="Le guen new manager "/> Graeme Souness is the only [[player-manager]] during Rangers' history.<ref name="Paying for over spending" />

The most successful manager in terms of the number of trophies won is Bill Struth with 18 League titles, 10 Scottish Cups and 2 League Cups, but the most successful manager in terms of trophies to time served is Walter Smith with 7 League titles, 3 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups in 7 years 42 days. During Smiths second spell which was he managed during financial constraints he won 3 League titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups in 4 years 126 days. Rangers' other manager with notable success was William Waddell who won the European Cup Winner's Cup during his 2 years and 175 day stint. [[Ally McCoist]] is the present manager of Rangers F.C.

==Honours==
{{see also|Rangers F.C. Reserve and Youth squads#Honours|label 1=Reserve Honours|Rangers F.C. Reserve and Youth squads#Honours 2|label 2=Youth Honours|List of Rangers F.C. records and statistics#Honours|label 3=Rangers Honours}}
''As of August 2012''<ref name="Rangers honours" />

===Domestic honours===
* '''[[List of Scottish football champions|Scottish League Championships]]: 54'''
:: 1891,{{#tag:ref|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<ref name="Rangers honours" />|group="n"}} 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1987, 1989, 1990, [[1990–91 in Scottish football|1991]], 1992, 1993, [[1993–94 in Scottish football|1994]], [[1994–95 in Scottish football|1995]], [[1995–96 in Scottish football|1996]], [[1996–97 in Scottish football|1997]], [[1998–99 in Scottish football|1999]], [[1999–2000 in Scottish football|2000]], [[2002–03 Scottish Premier League|2003]], [[2004–05 Scottish Premier League|2005]], [[2008–09 Scottish Premier League|2009]], [[2009–10 Scottish Premier League|2010]], [[2010–11 Scottish Premier League|2011]]<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" />
*'''[[Scottish Football League Third Division]]: 1'''
:: [[2012–13 Scottish Third Division|2013]]
* '''[[List of Scottish Cup winners|Scottish Cup]]: 33'''
:: 1894, 1897, 1898, 1903, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1960, [[1961–62 Scottish Cup|1962]], 1963, 1964, 1966, [[1972–73 Scottish Cup|1973]], [[1975–76 Scottish Cup|1976]], [[1977–78 Scottish Cup|1978]], [[1978–79 Scottish Cup|1979]], [[1980–81 Scottish Cup|1981]], [[1991–92 Scottish Cup|1992]], [[1992–93 Scottish Cup|1993]], [[1995–96 Scottish Cup|1996]], [[1998–99 Scottish Cup|1999]], [[1999–2000 Scottish Cup|2000]], [[2001–02 Scottish Cup|2002]], [[2002–03 Scottish Cup|2003]], [[2007–08 Scottish Cup|2008]], [[2008–09 Scottish Cup|2009]]<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" />
* '''[[List of Scottish League Cup winners|Scottish League Cup]]: 27'''
:: 1947, 1949, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999, [[2002 Scottish League Cup Final|2002]], [[2003 Scottish League Cup Final|2003]], [[2005 Scottish League Cup Final|2005]], [[2008 Scottish League Cup Final|2008]], [[2010 Scottish League Cup Final|2010]], [[2011 Scottish League Cup Final|2011]]<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" />
* '''[[Drybrough Cup]]'''
:: 1979<ref name="Rangers honours" />

===European honours===
{{Main|Rangers F.C. in European football}}
* '''[[UEFA Cup Winners' Cup]]: 1'''
:: [[1971–72 European Cup Winners' Cup|1972]]<ref name="Rangers honours" />

===Doubles and trebles===
*Scottish Cup, League Cup, League Title: '''7'''
::[[1948–49 in Scottish football|1948–49]], 1963–64, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1992–93, 1998–99, 2002–03
*Scottish Cup and League Cup: '''4'''
::1962, 1979, 2002, 2008
*Scottish Cup and League Title: '''9'''
::1927–28, 1929–30, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1962–63, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2008–09
*League Cup and League Title: '''10'''
::1947, 1961, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2005, 2010, 2011

===Notable statistics===
Rangers became the first British side to reach a European final in 1961.<ref name="Rangers first british side in european final" />

{{Other uses}}
{{Other uses}}
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Revision as of 16:37, 21 April 2013

Rangers Football Club
The Rangers Football Club Logo
Full nameRangers Football Club
Nickname(s)The Gers;
The Teddy Bears;
The Light Blues
Founded1872
GroundIbrox Stadium
Glasgow, Scotland
Capacity51,082
OwnerRangers International Football Club Plc
ChairmanMalcolm Murray
ManagerAlly McCoist
LeagueScottish Third Division
2012–13Scottish Third Division, 1st
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Rangers Football Club is a football club based in Glasgow, Scotland that plays in the Third Division of the Scottish Football League. Their home ground is Ibrox Stadium in the south-west of the city. Founded in 1872, Rangers were one of the ten founder members of the Scottish Football League, and remained in Scotland's top division until the end of the 2011–12 season.

In 2012, The Rangers Football Club Plc became insolvent and entered administration, resulting in liquidation when an agreement could not be reached with its creditors. Its business and assets, including Rangers FC, were bought by a new company, to which the club's Scottish Football Association membership was transferred in time to enable Rangers to relaunch in the Scottish Football League's Third Division at the start of season 2012–13.[1][2][3][4]

In domestic football Rangers have won more league titles and trebles than any other club in the world, winning the league title 54 times, the Scottish Cup 33 times and the Scottish League Cup 27 times, and achieving the treble of all three in the same season seven times. In European football, Rangers were the first British club to reach a UEFA tournament final. They won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 after being runner up twice in 1961 and 1967. A third runners up finish in Europe came in the 2008 UEFA Cup.

Rangers have a long-standing rivalry with Celtic, the two Glasgow clubs being collectively known as the Old Firm, since the late 19th century.

History

Formation and early years

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

The four founders of Rangers – brothers Moses and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath – met in 1872. Rangers' first match, in May that year, was a 0–0 friendly draw with Callander on Glasgow Green. In 1873, the club held its first annual meeting and staff were elected.[5][6] By 1876 Rangers had their first international player, with Moses McNeil representing Scotland in a match against Wales.[7] In 1877 Rangers reached a Scottish Cup final; after drawing the first game Rangers refused to turn up for the replay and the cup was awarded to Vale of Leven. Rangers won the Glasgow Merchants’ Charity Cup the following year against Vale of Leven 2–1, their first major cup.[8] The first ever Old Firm match took place in 1888, the year of Celtic's establishment. Rangers lost 5–2 in a friendly to a team composed largely of guest players from Hibernian[9][10][11]

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 equal-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 victory over rivals Celtic in the final. By the start of the 20th century, Rangers had won two league titles and three Scottish Cups.[6][8][12][13]

Bill Struth and Scot Symon

Taking over as manager from William Wilton in 1920, Bill Struth was Rangers' most successful manager, guiding the club to 14 league titles before the onset of the Second World War. On 2 January 1939 a British league attendance record was broken as 118,567 fans turned out to watch Rangers beat Celtic in the traditional new year holiday Old Firm match.[14] Leading the club for 34 years until 1954, Struth won more trophies than any manager in Scottish Football history, amassing 18 league championships, 10 Scottish Cups, 2 League Cups, 7 war-time championships, 19 Glasgow Cups, 17 Glasgow Merchant Charity Cups and other war-time honours.[5][15] During the wartime regional league setup, Rangers achieved their highest score against old firm rivals Celtic with an 8–1 win in the Southern Football League.[16]

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.[17][18] Rangers also lost by their biggest old firm margin of 7–1 to Celtic.[16]

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.[19] 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.[20] Rangers lost again in the final of the same competition in 1967, losing 1–0 after extra time to Bayern Munich.[13]

Ibrox disaster, European success and Jock Wallace

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

The Ibrox disaster occurred on 2 January 1971 when large-scale crushing on a stairway exit at the culmination of the New Year's Day Old Firm game claimed 66 lives. An enquiry concluded that the crush was likely to have happened ten minutes after the final whistle and to have been triggered by someone falling on the stairs.[21] 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.[22]

In 1972, Rangers emerged from the tragedy of the previous year to finally achieve success on the European stage. A Colin Stein goal and a Willie Johnston double helped secure a 3–2 victory over FC Dynamo Moscow at the Nou Camp, Barcelona, to lift the European Cup Winners' Cup. Captain John Greig received the trophy in a small room within the Nou Camp following pitch invasions and rioting by Rangers fans.[23] Rangers were banned from Europe for two years for the behaviour of their fans, later reduced on appeal to a year.[24]

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.[25] In 1974–75, Wallace led Rangers to their first League championship triumph in eleven years, before winning the treble the following season, repeating the historic feat in 1977–78.[26]

Graeme Souness and Walter Smith – Nine in a row

Every year from the 1988–89 season until the 1996–97 season, Rangers won the league title. This nine-in-a-row achievement equalled Celtic's record, set prior to the forming of the Scottish Football League Premier Division, subsequent to which competing teams met 4 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.[27][28]

Notable seasons included 1990–91, which culminated in a final day finale, Rangers securing a 2–0 victory at Ibrox over Aberdeen, who needed only a draw to secure the championship. Season 1992–93 was notable for a domestic treble of trophies, as well an extended run in the inaugural UEFA Champions League, the club at one stage only one goal from securing a place in the final.[29]

Outstanding contributions from Player of the Season winners Ally McCoist (1991–92), Andy Goram (1992–93), Mark Hateley (1993–94), Brian Laudrup (1994–95 and 1996–97) and Paul Gascoigne (1995–96),[30] were crucial to maintaining success. Rangers ninth consecutive championship title was secured at Tannadice Park on 7 May 1997, with a 1–0 victory over Dundee United.[31]

Dick Advocaat and Alex McLeish

In 1998, Dutchman Dick Advocaat became the club's first foreign manager.[32] 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.[33] A second consecutive league title was won by a record 21 point margin,[34] the club securing a domestic double with a 4–0 Scottish Cup final victory over Aberdeen. Rangers' campaign in the Champions League was promising, defeating UEFA Cup winners Parma en route.[35][36]

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,[37] European success beyond the Champions league group stages again proved elusive.[38] After a slow start to the following season, Advocaat resigned from his post in December 2001 to be replaced as manager by Alex McLeish.[39]

In his first full campaign, 2002–03 season saw McLeish become the sixth Rangers manager to deliver a domestic treble.[40] The championship was won on goal difference during a dramatic final day 6–1 triumph over Dunfermline Athletic at Ibrox,[41] securing Rangers' 50th league title, the first club in the world to achieve the feat.[42] Major expenditure sanctioned by Chairman David Murray had burdened Rangers with considerable debts in the region of £52m.[43] 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.[44]

The 2004–05 season restored success to Rangers, who were boosted by signings such as Jean-Alain Boumsong,[45] Dado Pršo[46] and Nacho Novo,[47] along with the return of former captain Barry Ferguson.[48] The club's league championship triumph culminated in a dramatic last 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.[49][50]

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 10 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,[51] the club eventually exiting on the away goals rule to Villarreal.[52] On 9 February 2006, it was announced by chairman David Murray that McLeish would be standing down as manager at the end of that season.[53]

Paul Le Guen and Walter Smith's return

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

Frenchman Paul Le Guen replaced Alex McLeish as manager after season 2005–06.[54] The season started poorly for Rangers, with an early exit from the League Cup[55] whilst rivals Celtic built a commanding lead at the top of the table.[56] 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.[57] However, amid claims of disharmony between the manager and captain Barry Ferguson,[58] it was announced on 4 January 2007 that Le Guen had left Rangers by mutual consent.[59] 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.[60]

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

The following season Rangers contested the UEFA Cup after dropping into the competition from the Champions League.[61] The club reached the final, defeating Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon and Fiorentina along the way.[62] The final in Manchester against Zenit St. Petersburg, who were managed by former Rangers manager Dick Advocaat,[63] ended in a 2–0 defeat.[64]

The 2008–09 season saw Rangers recover from an early exit from the UEFA Champions League to FBK Kaunas of Lithuania.[65] The club secured their 52nd league championship on the last day of the season with a 3–0 victory of Dundee United at Tannadice.[66] Rangers also successfully defended the Scottish Cup, a 33rd competition triumph, defeating Falkirk 1–0 in the final.[67]

Despite financial problems preventing new signings and curtailing squad size, the 2009–10 season saw Rangers reach their fifth consecutive domestic final. Against St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup, the club overcame a two-men deficit from red cards, a late deciding goal from Kenny Miller securing a record 27th competition victory.[68] The league championship title was retained with three matches remaining at Easter Road, defeating Hibernian 1–0 with a Kyle Lafferty goal. Smith's final season in charge saw Rangers retain the League Cup, defeating Celtic at Hampden with a Nikica Jelavić goal in extra time.[69] 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.[70]

Ally McCoist and insolvency

As announced the previous year,[71] Ally McCoist took over from Walter Smith in June 2011 with his first competitive match in charge against Hearts in July, ending in a 1–1 draw.[72] Rangers lost 2–1 on aggregate to Swedish side Malmö FF in the Champions League third round qualifying match,[73] and were then knocked out of Europe after losing 3–2 on aggregate in the Europa League qualifying match against Slovenian side Maribor.[74] In the first Old Firm match of the 2011–12 season and McCoist's first in charge of the club Rangers won 4–2 at Ibrox.[75] Good league form saw Rangers maintain top spot in the SPL and were unbeaten after 11 games. They were knocked out of the League Cup by Falkirk[76] and the Scottish Cup by Dundee Utd at Ibrox.[77]

Rangers was placed into administration on 14 February 2012 as a result of financial problems and a dispute with HMRC. This resulted in the club being deducted 10 points, as per SPL rules, which extended Celtic's lead at the top of the league to 14 points.[78] Rangers' first game in administration was played in front of a sell-out crowd at Ibrox though they lost 1–0 to Kilmarnock,[79] and poor form continued with defeats to Hearts[80] and Dundee United.[81] The last significant game for Rangers in the 2011–12 season was the Old Firm game on 25 March where a win for Celtic would see their rivals win the championship at Ibrox. Rangers won 3–2 however and ultimately finished the season in second place behind Celtic.[82]

A failure to reach agreement with creditors on 14 June 2012 led to The Rangers Football Club Plc (since renamed RFC 2012 Plc)[83] entering the process of liquidation.[84] Its business, assets and history were sold to a new company, Sevco Scotland Ltd, which was later renamed The Rangers Football Club Ltd.[85] This company then applied for the transfer of Rangers' SFA membership which was agreed by the SFA upon acceptance of a number of conditions, including a one-year transfer ban (taking effect from the end of that summer's transfer window). Though an application for membership of the Scottish Premier League was rejected,[86] an application to the Scottish Football League was accepted, with member clubs deciding to place Rangers in the lowest division, the Third, for the start of the 2012–13 season rather than the First Division as SPL and SFA had sought.[87]

Rangers' first home match in Division 3 was a 5–1 victory over East Stirlingshire in front of a crowd of 49,118 at Ibrox, a world record for a football match in a fourth tier league.[88][n 1] However, 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.[90] Rangers reached the third round of the Scottish Challenge Cup where they were defeated by Queen of the South at Ibrox,[91] the quarter finals of the Scottish League Cup where they lost 3–0 at home to Inverness Caley Thistle[92] and the fifth round of the Scottish Cup where they were defeated 3-0 by Dundee United.[93] Rangers beat their own new record against Queens Park with an attendance of 49,463.[94] and again against Stirling Albion with an attendance of 49,913.[95] Rangers clinched the Division 3 title on 30 March with a goalless draw at Montrose.

Crest and colours

Crest

Lion rampant club crest before modernisation 1959-1968. Never appeared on the shirt
Lion rampant club crest 1959-1968. Never appeared on the shirt
Scroll crest. Has appeared on the chest of the Rangers home shirt 1968-Present
Scroll crest. Has appeared on the chest of the Rangers home shirt 1968-Present

Unusually for a football club, Rangers have two different official crests. Today the original scroll crest appears on the club's strips whereas the lion rampant club crest is used by the media, on club merchandise and on official club documents. Both crests have undergone minor variations since their introduction. It is believed that the scroll crest, representing the letters RFC overlapping, has been used since the club's formation in 1872, although the oldest remaining piece of memorabilia containing this crest is from the 1881–82 season. The scroll crest was replaced in 1959 with the lion rampant club crest which featured a lion rampant, an old-style football and the club's motto Ready, which was shortened from Aye Ready (meaning Always Ready in Scots), all surrounded by the team name, Rangers Football Club. The lion rampant club crest was modernised in 1968; the lion rampant, team name, club motto and old style football all remained. It was again updated ever so slightly in the early 1990s to the current version. The modern circular crest is regularly used on club merchandise and by the media; it has never featured prominently on the club strip. Since 1968 Rangers have had two crests, the scroll crest made a return appearing on the chest of the club shirt for the first time while the modernised club crest was still the club's official logo. The scroll crest first appeared on the teams shorts for the start of the 1978–79 season.[96][97]

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.[98][99]

Lion rampant club crest 1969-1991. Never appeared on the shirt
Lion rampant club crest 1969-1991. Never appeared on the shirt
Scroll crest with additional 5 stars worn on the chest of the Rangers shirt 2003-Present
Scroll crest with additional 5 stars worn on the chest of the Rangers shirt 2003–Present

Colours

The club colours of Rangers F.C. are royal blue, white and red. However, for the majority of the first forty-eight years of Rangers existence the club played in a plain lighter blue home shirt. The only deviation from this was a four season period from 1879 when the side wore the lighter shade of blue and white in a hooped style. Traditionally this is accompanied by white shorts (often with royal blue and/or red trim) and black socks with red turn-downs. Rangers moved from the lighter shade of blue to royal blue in 1921, and have had a royal blue home shirt every year since. Black socks were first included in 1883 for five seasons before disappearing for eight years but became a more permanent fixture from 1896 onwards. When the red turn-downs were added to the socks in 1904, the strip began to look more like the modern day Rangers home kit. Occasionally the home kit will be altered by the shorts and socks, sometimes replacing the black socks with white ones; or replacing the white shorts and black socks combination with royal blue shorts and socks.[99]

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.[100]

Selection of Rangers kits through history[99]
The blue shirt, white shorts and blue & white hooped socks. Worn 1873–1879
The blue shirt, white shorts and blue & white hooped socks. Worn 1873–1879
A change kit featuring a white top. Worn 1916–1918, 1921-1932 and 1933-1934
A change kit featuring a white top. Worn 1916–1918, 1921-1932 and 1933-1934
The blue shirt, white shorts and black socks. Worn 1883–1888 and 1896–1904
The blue shirt, white shorts and black socks. Worn 1883–1888 and 1896–1904
The royal blue shirt with white collar and black socks with red tops. Worn 1921–1957
The royal blue shirt with white collar and black socks with red tops. Worn 1921–1957
The royal blue shirt and red socks with white tops. Worn 1968–1973.
The royal blue shirt and red socks with white tops. Worn 1968–1973 and 2012-2013
The royal blue shirt and black socks with red tops. Worn 1958–1968 and 1973-1978
The royal blue shirt and black socks with red tops. Worn 1958–1968 and 1973-1978

Sponsors and manufacturers

Since 1978 when Rangers signed a deal with Umbro they have had a specific kit manufacturer and since 1984 have had a kit sponsor. When Rangers played French sides AJ Auxerre and RC Strasbourg in the 1996–97 Champions League and the UEFA Cup respectively, due to a French ban on alcohol advertising the team wore the logo of Center Parcs instead of McEwan's Lager.[101] The following tables detail the shirt sponsors and kit suppliers of Rangers by year:[99]

Stadium and training facility

The club used a variety of grounds in Glasgow as a venue for home matches in the years between 1872 and 1899. The first was Flesher's Haugh, situated on Glasgow Green, followed by Burnbank in the Kelvinbridge area of the city, and then Kinning Park for ten years from the mid-1870s to the mid-1880s. From February of the 1886–87 season, Cathkin Park was used until the first Ibrox Park, in the Ibrox area of south-west Glasgow, was inaugurated for the following season. Ibrox Stadium in its current incarnation was originally designed by the architect Archibald Leitch, a Rangers fan who also played a part in the design of, among others, Old Trafford in Manchester and Highbury in London. The stadium was inaugurated on 30 December 1899, and Rangers defeated Hearts 3–1 in the first match held there.[102][103]

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

Rangers' training facility is located in Auchenhowie, Glasgow. The facility is known as Murray Park after former chairman and owner Sir David Murray. It was proposed by then-manager Dick Advocaat upon his arrival at the club in 1998.[32] It was completed in 2001 at a cost of £14 million. Murray Park was the first purpose-built facility of its kind in Scotland, and incorporates features including nine football pitches, a state of the art gym, a hydrotherapy pool, and a video-editing suite. Rangers' youth teams are also accommodated at Murray Park, with around 140 players between under-10 and under-19 age groups using the training centre. Various first-team players have come through the ranks at Murray Park, including Alan Hutton, Chris Burke, Stevie Smith, John Fleck and Charlie Adam. International club teams playing in Scotland, as well as national sides, have previously used Murray Park for training, and Advocaat's South Korea team used it for training prior to the 2006 World Cup.[104][105]

Supporters

Rangers FC are one of the best supported clubs in Europe, with an average attendance that is consistently one of the highest on the continent, the figure for the 2011–12 season being the 19th largest home league attendance.[106] The club's website lists over 150 supporters' clubs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland,[107] with 95 further clubs spread across over 20 countries around the world.[108] Rangers fans have contributed to several records for high attendances,[109] including the highest home attendance for a league fixture, 118,567 on 2 January 1939.[14] 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, an estimated 150,000 Rangers supporters, many without match tickets, travelled to Manchester for the UEFA Cup Final.[110] Despite most supporters behaving "impeccably",[111] a minority of fans rioted in the city centre, clashing violently with police and damaging property.[112][113][114]

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

Rivalries

The club's most distinct rivalry is with Glasgow neighbours Celtic F.C.; the two clubs are collectively known as the Old Firm, though they are not currently playing in the same league. Rangers' traditional support is largely drawn from the Protestant Unionist community, whilst Celtic's traditional support is largely drawn from the Catholic community. The first Old Firm match was won by Celtic and there have been nearly four hundred matches played to date. The Old Firm rivalry has fuelled many assaults, sometimes leading to deaths, on Old Firm derby days; an activist group that monitors sectarian activity in Glasgow has reported that on Old Firm weekends, admissions to hospital emergency rooms have increased over normal levels and journalist Franklin Foer noted that in the period from 1996 to 2003, eight deaths in Glasgow were directly linked to Old Firm matches, as well as hundreds of assaults.[115][116]

The rivalry with Aberdeen began in the late 1970s when the two clubs were among the strongest in Scotland. 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.[117] Resentment continued and in 1998 an article in Rangers match programme branded Aberdeen fans "scum", although Rangers later issued a "full and unreserved apology" to Aberdeen and their supporters, which was accepted by Aberdeen.[118][119] Fixtures have been described as "even more of a powderkeg than Old Firm games".[120]

Rangers' fall to the Third Division has 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.[121][122] 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.[123]

Sectarian chanting

Sectarian chanting by supporters has incurred criticism and sanctions upon the club as well as convictions against individuals identified. 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.[124][125][126] UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body have punished Rangers for incidents during European ties, most notably Villarreal in 2006,[127] Osasuna in 2007,[128] and PSV Eindhoven in 2011.[129][130]

Sectarianism

During the 19th century, many immigrants came to Glasgow from Ireland – this was a time of considerable anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiment in Scotland. The early success of Celtic, a club associated with the Irish and Catholic community, has been described as sharpening Rangers' Protestant Unionist identity, contributing to the eventual absence of openly Catholic players from the team.[131] From the early 20th century onwards, Catholics were not knowingly signed by the club, nor employed in other prominent roles as an 'unwritten rule'.[132][133][134][135]

In 1989, Rangers signed Maurice "Mo" Johnston, "their first major Roman Catholic signing".[136] Johnston was the highest-profile Catholic to sign for the club since the World War I era, though other Catholics had signed for Rangers before.[132][137] Since Johnston's signing, an influx of overseas footballers has contributed to Catholic players becoming common place at Rangers.[138] In 1999 Lorenzo Amoruso became the first Catholic captain of the club.[139]

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-racist, anti-sectarian campaigns.[140][n 2] William Gaillard, UEFA's Director of Communications, commended the SFA and Scottish clubs, including Rangers, for their actions in fighting discrimination.[142] In September 2007, UEFA praised Rangers for the measures the club has taken against sectarianism.[143][144]

Ownership and finances

Incorporation to limited company and then to a PLC

Rangers Football Club became a limited company on 27 May 1899[83] when it was incorporated as The Rangers Football Club Ltd. It continued in this form until, in 2000, David Murray decided to list the company on the stock exchange, making it a public limited company. The name of the company was therefore changed to The Rangers Football Club Plc.[145]

Craig Whyte and administration

On 6 May 2011, Craig Whyte bought David Murray's shares for £1.[146] On 13 February 2012. Whyte filed legal papers at the Court of Session giving notice of their intention to appoint administrators.[147] 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.[148][149] 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 EBT scheme employed by the club since 2001.[150] However, on 20 November 2012, the Tribunal ruled in favour of Rangers. If that decision is upheld the tax bill could be significantly reduced from an estimated £74m to under £2m.[151][152] On 4 February 2103, HMRC lodged an appeal of the FFT decision and a further hearing will be carried out by a Second Tier Tribunal.[153]

On 25 June 2012, the Crown Office asked Strathclyde Police to investigate the purchase of Rangers and the club's subsequent financial management during Whytes tenure.[154]

Liquidation of PLC and current ownership

Charles Green agreed a deal with the administrators of The Rangers Football Club Plc to purchase its business and assets, including Rangers FC, for a £5.5million fee if the proposed CVA was to be rejected. On 14 June 2012, the formal rejection of the proposed CVA[155] meant that the old company would enter the liquidation process.[156][157][158] The accountancy firm BDO were appointed to reveal why the company running the club failed.[159][160]

Hours after the CVA's rejection, Charles Green completed the purchase of the business and assets, including Rangers FC, of the old company through the company Sevco Scotland Ltd.[161][162]

The new company acquired Ibrox Stadium and Murray Park along with various other assets including intellectual property, goodwill and various contracts.[163][164][165] Sevco Scotland Ltd subsequently changed its name to 'The Rangers Football Club Ltd' at the end of July 2012.[166]

As a result of Rangers' "assets, business and history" being sold to a new company when The Rangers Football Club Plc (subsequently renamed as RFC 2012 Plc) entered the liquidation process, the extent to which Rangers can be regarded as a continuation of the club officially founded in 1872 has been interpreted differently. Rangers Football Club has been described by some in the mainstream media as a "new club",[167][168][169] whilst the then Chief Executive, Charles Green, maintained "this is still Rangers".[170][171][172] Though the SPL chairman Neil Doncaster said "it is an existing club, even though it's a new company",[173][174] SFA chief executive Stewart Regan has described Rangers as having moved from being "a club in administration trying to do a company voluntary arrangement, to a club facing liquidation and becoming a newco."[175]

The new company formally applied to acquire the SPL share of The Rangers Football Club Plc on 18 June 2012. The SPL agreed to consider the request to transfer the share, but on 4 July, voted by 10–1 to reject the application. Kilmarnock abstained and the old Rangers company voted in favour.[86] The Rangers Football Club Plc's share in the SPL was subsequently transferred to The Dundee Football Club Ltd.[1] 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. On the same day a place in the fourth tier of Scottish Football, Scottish Third Division for the 2012–13 season, rather than the Scottish First Division from the two options presented to the SFL member clubs with 25 of the 30 clubs voting that the club should be placed in Division Three.[87][176][177]

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.[178][179] Agreement was reached on the transfer with the new company accepting a number of conditions relating to the old company.[180]

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.[181]

Rangers Charity Foundation

The Rangers Charity Foundation was created in 2002 and participates in a wide range of charitable work, regularly involving Rangers staff and star players. The foundation also has partnerships with UNICEF, The Prostate Cancer Charity and Erskine, and is responsible for over £2.3 million in donations. As well as fundraising, the Rangers Charity Foundation regularly bring sick, disabled and disadvantaged children to attend matches and tours at Ibrox, with the chance to meet the players.[182][183]

Records

Club

Player

Players

First team squad

As of August 2012[195][196] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
GK Scotland SCO Neil Alexander
GK Scotland SCO Scott Gallacher
GK Scotland SCO Blair Currie
GK Republic of Ireland IRL Alan Smith
DF Greece GRE Anestis Argyriou
DF Scotland SCO Darren Cole
DF Brazil BRA Emílson Cribari
DF France FRA Sébastien Faure
DF Northern Ireland NIR Chris Hegarty
DF Canada CAN Luca Gasparotto
DF Scotland SCO Ross Perry
DF Scotland SCO Lee Wallace (vice-captain)
MF Scotland SCO Fraser Aird
MF Scotland SCO Ian Black
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF Scotland SCO Robbie Crawford
MF Scotland SCO Daniel Stoney
MF Scotland SCO Kyle Hutton
MF Scotland SCO Lewis Macleod
MF Scotland SCO Lee McCulloch (captain)
MF Northern Ireland NIR Andrew Mitchell
MF Northern Ireland NIR Dean Shiels
MF Scotland SCO David Templeton
MF Scotland SCO Tom Walsh
MF Scotland SCO Andrew Murdoch
FW Northern Ireland NIR Andrew Little
FW Scotland SCO Barrie McKay
FW Scotland SCO Kal Naismith
FW England ENG Kane Hemmings

Out on loan

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

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF Romania ROU Dorin Goian (at Spezia Calcio until the end of the 2012–13 season)[197]
DF United States USA Carlos Bocanegra (at Racing de Santander until the end of the 2012–13 season)[198]

Board of Directors

As of December 2012[199]

Position Name
Non-Executive Chairman Malcolm Murray
Chief Executive Officer (vacant)
Finance Director Brian Stockbridge
Director Charles Green
Non-Executive Director Walter Smith
Non-Executive Director Ian Hart
Non-Executive Director Bryan Smart
Non-Executive Director Phillip Cartmell

Backroom staff

As of August 2012[200]

Position Name
Manager Ally McCoist
Assistant Manager Kenny McDowall
First Team Coach Ian Durrant
Goalkeeping Coach Jim Stewart
Fitness Coach Adam Owen
Head of Youth Development Jim Sinclair[201][202]
Head of Football Administration Andrew Dickson[203][204]
Commercial Director Imran Ahmad[205][206]
Director of Sports Development Craig Mather[205][206]
Director of Communications Jim Traynor[207]
Physiotherapist Steve Walker
Doctor Dr Paul Jackson
Kit Controller Jimmy Bell
Masseur David Lavery
Team Analyst Steve Harvey

Team managers

Only 13 men have been manager of Rangers during their 141-year history.[60][208][209] The longest serving manager is Bill Struth who served for 34 years and 26 days. Rangers have had two foreign managers during their history; Dick Advocaat (1 June 1998 to 12 December 2001)[32][39] and Paul Le Guen (9 May 2006 to 4 January 2007) who is the manager with the shortest time at the club.[59][54] Graeme Souness is the only player-manager during Rangers' history.[28]

The most successful manager in terms of the number of trophies won is Bill Struth with 18 League titles, 10 Scottish Cups and 2 League Cups, but the most successful manager in terms of trophies to time served is Walter Smith with 7 League titles, 3 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups in 7 years 42 days. During Smiths second spell which was he managed during financial constraints he won 3 League titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 3 League Cups in 4 years 126 days. Rangers' other manager with notable success was William Waddell who won the European Cup Winner's Cup during his 2 years and 175 day stint. Ally McCoist is the present manager of Rangers F.C.

Honours

As of August 2012[12]

Domestic honours

1891,[n 4] 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1918, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1924, 1925, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1937, 1939, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1956, 1957, 1959, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011[12][188][189]
2013
1894, 1897, 1898, 1903, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009[12][188][189]
1947, 1949, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011[12][188][189]
1979[12]

European honours

1972[12]

Doubles and trebles

  • Scottish Cup, League Cup, League Title: 7
1948–49, 1963–64, 1975–76, 1977–78, 1992–93, 1998–99, 2002–03
  • Scottish Cup and League Cup: 4
1962, 1979, 2002, 2008
  • Scottish Cup and League Title: 9
1927–28, 1929–30, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1962–63, 1991–92, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2008–09
  • League Cup and League Title: 10
1947, 1961, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1997, 2005, 2010, 2011

Notable statistics

Rangers became the first British side to reach a European final in 1961.[20]

UEFA Coefficient

As of 21 April 2013[210]
Rank Country Team Points
88 Poland KKS Lech Poznań 23.650
89 England Birmingham City FC 23.392
90 Spain Getafe CF 22.547
91 Scotland Rangers FC 22.538
92 Template:FlagiconI Portsmouth FC 22.392
93 Turkey Trabzonspor AŞ 21.320
94 Russia FC Lokomotiv Moskva 20.766

Notable former players

The "Greatest Ever" Rangers 11 chosen by fans, in 1999. The coach chosen was Walter Smith.[n 5][211]

Greatest ever team

The following team was voted the greatest ever Rangers team by supporters in 1999. When the vote was launched it was feared that younger voters would ignore the great service of many of the pre-war stars (notably the most successful captain and most successful manager the club has ever had, Davie Meiklejohn and Bill Struth respectively). When the ballot was launched Donald Findlay stated it would be limited to post Second World War players because "few can recall players of these earlier eras":[212]

Scotland Football Hall of Fame

To 2012, 25 players and managers to have been involved with Rangers in their careers, have entered the Scottish Football Hall of Fame:[213]

Scotland Roll of Honour

The Scotland national football team roll of honour recognises players who have gained 50 or more international caps for Scotland. The 7 inductees to have played for Rangers in their career are:[214]

Scottish Sports Hall of Fame

In the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, 3 Rangers players have been selected, they are:[215]

See also

References

Notes;

  1. ^ However this attendance was unofficially exceeded prior to this match with 59,966. But this attendance was not officially recorded[89]
  2. ^ Racism has been directed at players on the pitch at Rangers games, including at former Celtic player Bobo Balde.[141]
  3. ^ Rangers are the only team in history to ever have accomplished this.[185]
  4. ^ Shared with Dumbarton F.C. after both clubs ended the season on 29 points. A play-off game at Cathkin Park on 21 May 1891 finished 2–2, so the clubs were declared joint champions[12]
  5. ^ Choices were limited to post World War II era players only.

General;

  1. ^ a b Independant Commission of Lord Nimmo Smith. 12 September 2012 http://www.scotprem.com/content/mediaassets/doc/SPL%20Commission%20reasons%20for%20decision%20of%2012%20September%202012.pdf. Retrieved 9 February 2012. purchased substantially all the business and assets of Oldco, including Rangers FC, by entering into an asset sale and purchase agreement {{cite news}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Euro ties fill Rangers void for Celtic - Neil Lennon www.bbc.co.uk, 21 September 2012
  3. ^ Neil Lennon...on Rangers funding, Sean Connery, and a McGeady statue www.heraldscotland.com, 1 October 2012
  4. ^ Interview: Gordon Durie, East Fife manager and former Rangers striker www.scotsman.com, 5 August 2012
  5. ^ a b c d e "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 775 (1960–1978)
    {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ a b "The on-field history of Rangers Football Club 1873–2012". BBC News. BBC. 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. The club's origins date back to 1872 when Peter McNeil, his brother Moses, Peter Campbell and William McBeath formed their own team in Glasgow.
    The name Rangers was adopted from an English rugby club and the first game, against Callander FC, ended 0–0. The club's official beginning came to be recognised as 1873, when the first annual general meeting was held.
    By the time of the first Scottish Football League season in 1890, Rangers had arrived at their current home of Ibrox, in the south east of Glasgow, via Burnbank and Kinning Park.
    Rangers finished joint top of the league with Dumbarton, and after a play-off ended 2–2, a decision was taken to share the title.
    This was the only time the league has ever been shared, and it marked the first senior honour for Rangers.
    Rangers won the Scottish Cup for the first time in 1894, beating Celtic 3–1
    Three years later, the club recorded their first ever Scottish Cup win, beating Celtic 3–1 in the 1894 final.
    Rangers won the trophy again in 1897 and 1898 with victories over Dumbarton and Kilmarnock.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Co founder of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, Rangers and Scotland Footballer – a true Footballing Pioneer". Helensburgh Heroes. helensburghheroes.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. McNeil won two caps for Scotland, the first Ranger to represent his country, the first on 25 March 1876 in a 4–0 win over Wales and the second on 13 March 1880 in a 5–4 win over England, in which he played alongside his brother, Henry. Henry McNeil won a total of 10 caps for his country and scored 5 goals. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b "Rangers History". Evening Times. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 20 January 2013. Retrieved 20 January 2013. Rangers were born in March 1872, after a group of teenage rowing enthusiasts watched a game of football in Glasgow Green. Brothers Peter and Moses McNeil and Peter Campbell and William McBeath got their heads together to give rise to the club, who played just two matches in their first year.
    It's believed that Moses McNeil suggested the name 'Rangers' after seeing it in a book about English rugby. The club played their first game in May 1972 at Flecher's Haugh in Glasgow Green against Callander, a match that ended in a 0–0 draw.
    The year 1873 is the official founding of Rangers as that was the year the elected office bearers. The first time the club donned blue shirts was their second game, against Clyde (not the present-day club) and won it 11–0.
    Five years after their founding, Rangers made it to their first major cup final against Vale of Leven. The game was played at First Hampden Park and it finished 1–1 so a replay beckoned. Rangers refused to turn up for the replay and Vale were awarded the cup. The teams met the following year in the Charity Cup. Rangers won 2–1 and the Glasgow Merchants' Charity Cup was the first major trophy to be won by the team.
    The 1890–91 season saw the inception of the Scottish Football League, and Rangers were one of ten original members. Rangers' first ever league match took place on 16 August 1890 and resulted in a 5–2 victory over Hearts. After finishing equal-top with Dumbarton a play-off was held at Cathkin Park to decide the champions. The match finished 2–2 and the title was shared for the only time in its history – the first of Rangers' 54 championships.
    {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "Summer Soccer & Football Camps train with the best teams in world football". football-soccer-camps.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. After joining, Rangers finally reached their first final of the Scottish Cup in 1877 but were not victorious.
    The eternal rivalry, known as the Old Firm, between the two Glaswegian city teams, Rangers and Celtic has been ongoing since the first Old Firm match in 1888, in which Rangers lost 5–2 in a friendly against the Celtic team which was largely made up of "guest players" from Hibernians.
    {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "The Founding of Celtic Football Club 1888". BBC. November 2005. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013. It would be over six months later before the newly-constituted Celtic club played its first ever match, on 28 May 1888 which resulted in a 5–2 win over Rangers, in what was called a 'friendly match'. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "The Founding Fathers". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. All those championships and cups would never have found their way into the Ibrox Trophy Room but for that encounter between Peter McNeil, his brother Moses, Peter Campbell and William McBeath.
    Their first match was an unlikely affair against Callander FC at Flesher's Haugh on Glasgow Green.
    ...
    The result was 0–0, but that didn't matter. Rangers had been born.
    The name Rangers was adopted from an English rugby club. By their second fixture – the only other they played that first year – they had donned the light blue. It must have done the trick – Rangers beat Clyde 11–0.
    By 1876 Rangers had their first international, Moses McNeil one of the four founders, who made his Scotland debut in a 4–0 victory over Wales.
    The following year Rangers made the breakthrough reaching their first Scottish Cup Final. It took three matches to find a winner, and sadly it was their opponents Vale of Leven. After two drawn games, 0–0 and 1–1, Rangers finally succumbed 3–2 in the second replay.
    {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h "Rangers". scottishfootballleague.com. Scottish Football League. August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  13. ^ a b c d "Rangers FC". UEFA.com. UEFA. 30 December 2010. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. Founded by brothers Moses and Peter McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath, Rangers shared their first championship with Dumbarton FC in 1890/91 then beat Celtic FC 3–1 to win their first Scottish Cup in 1894, clinching their first title outright by winning every game of the 1898/99 campaign.
    William Struth's 34 years as manager from 1920 onwards ushered in the club's first golden era; Rangers won 18 league championships, ten Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups under Struth, including Scotland's first domestic treble in the 1948/49 season.
    In 1961, Rangers became the first British club to reach the final of a UEFA competition when they got to the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup final only to lose 4–1 on aggregate to ACF Fiorentina; they lost 1–0 to FC Bayern München in the final of the same competition six years later before finally lifting the trophy in 1972 when beating FC Dinamo Moskva 3–2 at the Camp Nou.
    {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b c Forsyth, Roddy (22 September 2006). "A lot of bottle in Old Firm duels". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The record Old Firm gate at a club ground was set on 2 Jan 1939 by a crowd of 118,567 at Ibrox. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "The Dominant Force". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Sadly, Wilton was not to enjoy this extraordinary success which saw Rangers take the title 15 times in 21 seasons.
    With the Championship back at Ibrox, Wilton – the club's first manager – died the day after the last game of the season in May 1920, drowning in a boating accident.
    Struth, who was appointed his successor, lived to become a legend. He managed the club for 34 years, winning a glittering array of trophies – 18 League Championships, 10 Scottish Cups and two League Cups.
    {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b Murray, Scott (30 December 2011). "The Joy of Six: new year football fixtures". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 12 Janauary 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2013. The humiliated Rangers boss that day was Scot Symon, so it is with a pleasing symmetry that Symon was a player in the other record victory in an Old Firm match. Because while Celtic's 7–1 win is the biggest win in official competition, Rangers went one better in an unofficial wartime Scottish Southern League ne'erday game between the two rivals in 1943. An Ibrox crowd of just over 30,000 watched a strong Rangers side including Symon, George Young and the legendary winger Willie Waddell rattle up an 8–1 victory. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ "About Scot Symon". in.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. He returned to Rangers just one year later where he would steer them to six league championships. He also took Rangers into European football for the first time reaching two Cup Winners Cup finals which was a fine achievement by losing in both finals {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Stone, Colin (5 January 2012). "Top 10 Glasgow Rangers Players of All Time". Bleacher Report. pp. 2–11. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. Regarded as one of Scotland's greatest ever players, Jim Baxter can also be counted amongst the Rangers' greats for his terrific achievements in the '60s.
    "Slim Jim" joined the club in 1960 for £17,500, a record at the time, and went on to win 10 trophies in the five years he spent in Scotland.
    {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Ripley, Dan (26 August 2010). "CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LOWDOWN: The teams to avoid, plum picks and all you need to know about the group stage draw". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General Trust. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Rangers: Semi-finalists – 1960
    Lost to Eintracht Frankfurt 12–4 on aggregate in what remains a record scoreline in a European Cup semi-final.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ a b Baird, Stuart. "'And the cry was "No Defenders"' The Museum of Scottish Football at Hampden Park, Glasgow". Culture Wars. Institute of Ideas. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012. Rangers were the first British team to reach a European final in 1961 {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  21. ^ Womersley, Tara (19 June 2001). "Thousands pay tribute to victims of Ibrox disaster". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. David Murray, the chairman of Rangers, yesterday unveiled a bronze statue of John Greig, the captain who led his team against Celtic on the day of the accident. The statue lists the names of those who died in 1971 and 25 fans killed when wooden terraces collapsed during a match between Scotland and England in 1902. Mr Greig then laid a wreath at the plinth of the statue.
    ...
    An inquiry, however, later discounted the theory and said that the crush was likely to have happened 10 minutes after the final whistle and to have been triggered by someone falling on the stairs.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ "Scotland XI vs Rangers/Celtic Select Official Programme of the Match". celticprogrammesonline.com. 27 January 1971. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012. Attendance: 81,405 {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ "Destiny awaits Ibrox heroes". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 22 March 2009. It is hard to take that after Celtic were able to celebrate as much as they liked in Lisbon, our club and supporters were denied a post-match presentation because the Spanish police completely misunderstood the fans' on-field invasion at the end.
    I played with a stress fracture in my foot. A guy jumped on it late in the final and I ended up with another fracture on the other side, but the euphoria kept the pain away until I was called down to this little room to receive the trophy.
    It all passed in a blur, but I hobbled down there in agony with our manager Willie Waddell and a UEFA delegate and, in this cramped corner covered in Barcelona memorabilia, the delegate handed me the trophy and basically said: "Here, take the cup Glasgow Rangers, now go away".
    When I got back to the dressing room all my team-mates were either in the bath or out of it. I felt sorry they didn't get to parade the trophy – ultimately what we were playing for – and even sorrier for all those people who had a paid a lot of money to travel to the Nou Camp and see that.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  24. ^ "Rangers triumph in Europe 1972". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. December 2005. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Rangers were handed a two-year ban by UEFA for their fans' poor behaviour. Waddell succeeded in getting this reduced to one year, meaning Rangers could not defend their trophy. Waddell argued that the police had over-reacted, that the fans were drunk but not intent on violence, and that recent European finals had witnessed rejoicing Celtic, Bayern Munich and Ajax fans running on to the park and those occasions had been deemed acceptable. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  25. ^ "Scottish Cup History And Archives". Scottish FA. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. 122,714 supporters packed into Hampden on 5 May 1973 for the Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and Celtic. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ McKinney, David (26 July 1996). "Obituary: Jock Wallace". The Independent. Independent Print Ltd. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Jock Wallace was a giant of Scottish football. No other description can do justice to the man who ended Celtic's domination of the game in the 1970s and who, as manager, led Rangers to two domestic trebles within three years, the Glasgow club winning the League title, the League Cup and the Scottish Cup. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Graeme Souness – Smith is simply the best boss in the modern Ibrox era". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General Trust. 9 May 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012. There will be no more fitting way to mark his departure than to beat Celtic to another championship but Walter has already established himself as one of the finest managers Scotland has ever produced. He's the best Rangers manager in the modern game. After Sir Alex Ferguson and Jock Stein, his record is fantastic; his success is there for all to see. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  28. ^ a b "Rangers paying for overspending ways". The footy pie. thefootypie.com. February 2012. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved December 2012. Graham Souness lead the side to their first two championships as player-manager before his assistant, Walter Smith, took the reign, claiming another seven titles to equal a record set by the late great Jock Stein at Celtic in the 1960s and 70s. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ "UEFA Champions League 1992/93: Rangers". UEFA. UEFA.com. 10 August 2011. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 26 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "napit". Napit. napit.com. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. 1997 – Brian Laudrup – Rangers
    1996 – Paul Gascoigne – Rangers
    1995 – Brian Laudrup – Rangers
    1994 – Mark Hateley – Rangers
    1993 – Andy Goram – Rangers
    1992 – Ally McCoist – Rangers
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  31. ^ "Scottish Premier Division 1996–97". Soccorbot. soccerbot.com. 27 June 2000. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ a b c Campbell, Andy (13 May 2008). "Advocaat's Rangers legacy". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010. When Dick Advocaat became the Rangers manager in 1998, it was a brave new dawn for the Ibrox club as chairman David Murray attempted to begin a new chapter in the club's history following Walter Smith's departure. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  33. ^ "Rangers make history out of chaos". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. 3 May 1999. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Celtic 0–3 Rangers
    Rangers created history by winning the title at Celtic Park in a stormy Old Firm game which saw referee Hugh Dallas injured by a missile thrown from the pitch.
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  34. ^ "When Rangers can win the league". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 28 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010. The biggest winning points margin in the history of the SPL was enjoyed by Rangers in 1999/00, when they finished 21 points clear of Celtic. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ "Champions League group tables". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 November 1999. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  36. ^ "Rangers put Parma in the shade". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 August 1999. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. Rangers 2–0 Parma
    Rangers secured one of their most impressive European results in years, as Italian giants Parma crashed to defeat in the first leg of their Champions League qualifier
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  37. ^ Forsyth, Roddy (12 November 2000). "Rangers' £12m Flo gamble". Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. DAVID MURRAY, the Rangers chairman, moved dramatically last night to end the crisis at Ibrox by setting a new Scottish transfer record of £12 million for Chelsea's out-of-favour Norwegian international forward, Tore Andre Flo. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ "Kaiserslautern 3–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 December 2000. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2010. Full time: Kaiserslautern 3–0 Rangers
    92 mins The Fritz Walter Stadium erupts on the referee's final whistle which brings down the curtain on Rangers' European campaign.
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  39. ^ a b "Rangers unveil McLeish". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 December 2001. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Alex McLeish has been unveiled as Rangers' 11th manager after a dramatic day at Ibrox. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  40. ^ "Rangers complete Treble". BBC Sports Scotland. BBC Sport. 31 May 2003. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Rangers capped a fabulous season with a hard-earned Scottish Cup win over Dundee at Hampden Park to seal the seventh domestic Treble in the club's history. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ "Rangers win to clinch title". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC Sport. 25 May 2003. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2012. Rangers 6–1 Dunfermline Athletic
    An injury-time penalty by Mikel Arteta clinched the SPL title for Rangers in an amazing afternoon at Ibrox.
    Rangers were 5–1 up as the match entered the last few minutes, but with Celtic 4–0 up at Rugby Park and still playing, they knew the championship was not yet theirs.
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  42. ^ Grahame, Ewing (26 May 2003). "Six into one equals victory Rangers secure a world-record 50th championship as title showdown goes all the way to the wire". Herald Scotland. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Rangers secure a world-record 50th championship {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ "Rangers stay cool over huge losses". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 30 September 2002. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers chairman John McClelland has attempted to assure shareholders the club's £52m debt is nothing to be alarmed over. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  44. ^ Salty (29 July 2011). "Aston Villa's Alex McLeish, a look at his managerial career". Football blog. footballblog.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. At this point McLeish was viewed as one of the hottest managers in the game. Success doesn't last forever and Rangers financial state cost McLeish dear in 2003. Many of his prize assets were sold and subsequently Celtic won the league comfortably. Also, Rangers failed to pick up a single trophy that season. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  45. ^ "Magpies complete Boumsong signing". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 January 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Boumsong joined Rangers from Auxerre on a free transfer last summer and made just 28 appearances for them before moving to England. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  46. ^ "Rangers get Prso". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 May 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Rangers have confirmed the signing of Monaco's Croatian striker Dado Prso. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ "Rangers sign Novo". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. 6 July 2004. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Rangers have completed the signing of Nacho Novo from Dundee but manager Alex McLeish insists his summer spending spree is not yet over. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ "Transfer window dealings". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and general trust. 1 February 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. Barry Ferguson – Blackburn to Rangers, £4.5million rising to £5million depending on appearances. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ "Rangers in dramatic title triumph". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. 22 May 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Rangers pipped rivals Celtic to the Scottish Premier League title after a dramatic final day of the season.
    The Gers went into the final game two points behind their Glasgow rivals but a sensational late fightback by Motherwell gave them the title.
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  50. ^ Jackson, Keith (22 April 2010). "Football flashback: Looking back on Rangers' 'helicopter Sunday' triumph in 2005". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012. NACHO Novo will be remembered forever as the man whose goal made the helicopter change direction. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  51. ^ "Rangers 1–1 Inter Milan". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Peter Lovenkrands was the goalscoring hero as Rangers became the first Scottish club to qualify from the group stages of the Champions League.
    ...
    Criticised by some for his tactics during a run without a win now stretching to 10 games, McLeish got it right on the European stage with the surprise inclusion of Lovenkrands as a lone striker.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  52. ^ "Villarreal 1–1 Rangers (agg 3–3)". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 March 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Rangers' dream of becoming the first Scottish side in the quarter-finals of the Champions League ended as they lost on the away-goals rule to Villarreal. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  53. ^ "McLeish to leave Rangers in May". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2007. Alex McLeish will leave his position as Rangers manager at the end of the season, the club has confirmed {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  54. ^ a b "Rangers name Le Guen as manager". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 March 2006. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have announced that Paul Le Guen will replace Alex McLeish as manager at the end of the season. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  55. ^ "Rangers 0–2 St Johnstone". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. 8 November 2006. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. St Johnstone recorded one of their finest results to stun Rangers at Ibrox and reach the CIS Cup semi-finals. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  56. ^ Glenn, Patrick (24 September 2006). "Gravesen piles pressure on Le Guen". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Until Gravesen gave the home side the lead there was a wariness about both sides, which betrayed the number of players on each side who were making their first appearance in the conflict. If Celtic were expected to be dominant – with Rangers reliant on the absorption of pressure and the counter-thrust – Gordon Strachan and his players would also be mindful of the four-point advantage they held over their great rivals and the need not to risk having it damaged. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  57. ^ Murray, Ewan (15 December 2006). "Hutton sends Rangers clean through to Old Firm match". Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2011. Paul Le Guen is satisfied his Rangers players will enter Sunday's Old Firm match in as positive a frame of mind as possible after they sealed the top qualifying position from Group A and secured a second consecutive clean sheet. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  58. ^ Austin, Simon (5 January 2007). "Clash of cultures". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Paul Le Guen's relationship with Barry Ferguson was never likely to be a marriage made in heaven.
    On one side was an authoritarian French manager used to having the final word and working with clean-living, tee-total players.
    On the other was a passionate Scottish captain who enjoyed talismanic status with the fans and liked to work hard and play hard.
    There were reported to be differences between the duo soon after Le Guen took over at Ibrox seven months ago. And they came to the surface at a news conference before the last Old Firm derby on 17 December.
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  59. ^ a b "Le Guen and Rangers part company". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 January 2007. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers manager Paul Le Guen has left the club by mutual consent. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  60. ^ a b "Smith installed as Rangers boss". BBC Sport. BBC. 10 January 2007. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Walter Smith has quit as Scotland coach to become boss of Rangers for a second time after agreeing a three-year deal. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  61. ^ Moffat, Colin (12 December 2007). "Rangers 0–3 Lyon". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers crashed out of the Champions League and into the Uefa Cup with a disappointing home defeat to Lyon. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  62. ^ "Rangers & Zenit chase Uefa glory". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Panathinaikos, Werder Bremen and Fiorentina have been dispatched, along with Sporting since Rangers qualified via their position in the Champions League group stage. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  63. ^ "Zenit coach Advocaat insists Rangers should not change style of play for UEFA Cup final". Daily Mail. Daily mail and General Trust. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers may have been criticised for their cautious approach in European games this season – but Zenit St Petersburg boss Dick Advocaat insists Walter Smith should not change his style of play when the sides clash in the UEFA Cup final. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  64. ^ Winter, Henry (15 May 2008). "Rangers run out of steam as Zenit lift Uefa Cup". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Zenit St Petersburg (0) 2 Rangers (0) 0
    It is not only Scottish fuel stations that have been running on empty recently. The warning light began flashing on Rangers' tank midway through the second half last night, their exhausting schedule finally catching up with them, allowing a superior and fresher Zenit side to lift the Uefa Cup.
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  65. ^ "Rangers exit Champions League in Lithuania". CNN World Sport. CNN. 5 August 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Scottish giants Rangers slumped to a shock European exit when Linas Pilibaitis gave FBK Kaunas 2–1 a aggregate win in their Champions League second qualifying round tie in Lithuania. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  66. ^ Forsyth, Roddy (24 May 2009). "Rejuvenated Rangers take SPL title in style with victory at Dundee United". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2010. With the boundless relief and joie de vivre of a man who has been reprieved on the steps of the gallows and installed in a palace, Rangers produced a climactic performance to snatch their first championship since 2005 at sun-drenched Tannadice. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  67. ^ Forsyth, Roddy (30 May 2009). "Rangers 1 Falkirk 0: Match report". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2010. Rangers completed the second stage of their Scottish league and cup double in the baking heat of Hampden Park on Saturday thanks to a glorious goal from Nacho Novo, with his first touch of the ball only seconds after arriving as a half-time substitute for Kris Boyd. But the favourites were made to sweat throughout – and not simply because of the sweltering conditions. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  68. ^ Murray, Ewan (21 March 2010). "Kenny Miller sees nine-man Rangers through to victory". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2010. It would, of course, be churlish not to recognise the winning mentality of a team who have lost just a single domestic fixture since Celtic lifted this trophy at their expense a year ago. Yet this win arrived in the most unlikely of circumstances, sealing the League Cup despite being down to nine men. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  69. ^ "Rangers happy to prove doubters wrong after Cup win". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 March 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers manager Walter Smith described the Co-operative Insurance Cup final win over Celtic as one of his "best ever" victories.
    Smith, coming to the end of his second spell in charge at Ibrox, clinched a 20th trophy as Rangers boss after the 2–1 extra-time win at Hampden.
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  70. ^ Moffat, Colin (16 May 2011). "Kilmarnock 1 – 5 Rangers". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2011. Rangers gave departing manager Walter Smith the perfect send-off as they wrapped up a third consecutive Scottish Premier League title in style.
    A blistering opening saw Kyle Lafferty net twice inside seven minutes, either side of a Steven Naismith strike.
    Early in the second half, Nikica Jelavic smashed in a free kick and Lafferty completed his hat-trick with a composed finish.
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  71. ^ "McCoist thrilled with future role as Rangers boss". BBC Sport. BBC. 26 May 2010. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. "It will be a privilege and an honour to take over from Walter next year and that is a challenge I shall certainly relish," McCoist told the club website. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  72. ^ Murray, Ewan (23 July 2011). "Rangers frustrated despite Naismith equaliser as Hearts claim point". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Hearts arrived in Glasgow with the aim of giving Ally McCoist a bloody nose in his first competitive match in charge of Rangers. Amid an opening half in which Hearts passed up opportunities to extend the lead handed to them by David Obua, that looked a viable prospect. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  73. ^ "Rangers crash out of Champions League after seeing red twice at Malmo". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 3 August 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers' Champions League hopes were shattered as they crashed out of the competition at the hands of Malmo after being reduced to nine men in the qualifier in Sweden. Steven Whittaker and Madjid Bougherra were both shown straight red cards, before Malmo's Ricardinho was also dismissed by the referee Vladislav Bezborodov at the Swedbank stadium {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  74. ^ Campbell, Andy (25 August 2011). "Rangers 1 – 1 NK Maribor (agg 2 – 3)". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012=. Rangers exited the Europa League as Maribor claimed an aggregate victory to progress to the group stages. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help); Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  75. ^ Campbell, Andy (18 September 2011). "Rangers 4–2 Celtic". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. League leaders Rangers prevailed in the season's first Old Firm derby to move four points clear of Celtic. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  76. ^ "Ally McCoist fuming as Falkirk kids dump Rangers out of cup". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 September 2011. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Manager Ally McCoist believes his Rangers players have only themselves to blame for their shock League Cup defeat by a very youthful Falkirk line-up. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  77. ^ Campbell, Andy (5 February 2012). "Rangers 0–2 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012. Dundee United knocked Rangers out of the Scottish Cup with a deserved fifth-round victory at Ibrox. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  78. ^ "Rangers' 10-point deduction confirmed by SPL". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Rangers have been deducted 10 points after entering administration. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  79. ^ "Rangers 0 Kilmarnock 1: Shiels strikes early to compound misery for crisis club at Ibrox". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General trust. 18 February 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. A turbulent week for Rangers ended in further disappointment as they crashed to defeat to Kilmarnock in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League in their first match since being forced into administration.
    The official attendance confirmed that 50,268 fans packed into Ibrox to show their backing for manager Ally McCoist and his players during the club's darkest hour.
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  80. ^ "Rangers 1–2 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 March 2012. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Hearts came from behind to beat Rangers at Ibrox as the home side's players awaited news of their futures from the club's administrators. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  81. ^ Gibson, Fraser (17 March 2012). "Dundee United 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Dundee United saw off the challenge of a spirited Rangers side to set up a scenario whereby Celtic could win the Scottish Premier League title at Ibrox. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  82. ^ Lindsay, Clive (25 March 2012). "Rangers 3–2 Celtic". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 21 December 2012. Reigning champions Rangers prevented the Scottish title being won on their own patch despite a dramatic late rally from nine-man runaway leaders Celtic. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  83. ^ a b "RFC 2012 P.L.C." Companies House. UK Government. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. IncorporationDate 27/05/1899
    PreviousNames
    CONDate 31/07/2012
    CompanyName THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB P.L.C.
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  84. ^ Rangers in crisis: the final whistle sounds on Rangers’ 140 years of history www.telegraph.co.uk, accessed 26 March 2013
  85. ^ "Interim Report to Creditors". Duff and Phelps. Rangers FC. 10 July 2012. Archived from the original (pdf) on 21 December 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2012. The continuation of trading operations enabled the Joint Administrators to put the CVA Proposal to the creditors of the Company and after the CVA Proposal was rejected by creditors, the Joint Administrators were able to secure a going concern sale of the business, history and assets of the Company to Sevco {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  86. ^ a b "Rangers newco refused SPL entry after chairmen vote". BBC Sport. BBC. 4 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. BBC Scotland has learned that 10 of the 12 clubs were in opposition, with Kilmarnock abstaining and Rangers voting in favour. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  87. ^ a b Marjoribanks, Brain (13 July 2012). "Get out of here! Rangers thrown down to third division after clubs vote against stricken club". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General Trust. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 14 September 2012. On a historic day for the national game, 25 out of the 30 lower-league clubs ruled that the fallen Ibrox giants should start life in the bottom tier and not in the First Division. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  88. ^ a b "Fourth-tier Rangers shatter world record". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 19 August 2012. Archived from the original on 19 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. Rangers manager Ally McCoist paid tribute to the troubled club's fans after 49,118 packed into Ibrox to watch Saturday's 5–1 thrashing of East Stirling, a world record attendance for fourth-tier football. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  89. ^ "Best attendances of Brazilian Championship of 4th Level" (in Portuguese). RSSSF Brasil. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012. 1 Santa Cruz (PE) 0 x 0 Treze (PB), 59.966, 16/10/2011, Estádio do Arruda {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  90. ^ "Stirling Albion 1–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 October 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Rangers suffered a shock first loss in the Third Division after crashing to defeat against bottom side Stirling Albion. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  91. ^ Lindsay, Clive (18 September 2012). "Ramsdens Cup: Rangers 2–2 Queen of the South (3–4 pens)". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012. Rangers made a shock exit in the Ramsdens Cup after a penalty shoot-out defeat by Queen of the South at Ibrox. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  92. ^ Lamont, Alasdair (31 October 2012). "Rangers 0–3 Inverness Caley Thistle". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 4 November 2012. Inverness Caledonian Thistle advanced to the semi-finals of the Scottish Communities League Cup for the first time with an ultimately comfortable defeat of Rangers. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  93. ^ Dundee United 3-0 Rangers www.bbc.co.uk, 2 February 2013
  94. ^ a b "Rangers v Queen's Park Match facts". The Guardian. Gaurdian Media Group. 20 October 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. Attendance 49,463 {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  95. ^ a b "THE IRN-BRU SCOTTISH THIRD DIVISION". Sky Sports. Sky. 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. IBROX STADIUM (ATT 49,913) {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  96. ^ "The Badges of Rangers Football Club". Danbury Mint. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013. The earliest badge featured the celebrated RFC scroll crest believed to have been used since 1872. Then there's the lion rampant and the club motto 'READY', which have appeared on Rangers' badges since 1959. Finally, see the evolution into the current badge, with the famous blue, white and red colours. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  97. ^ "The Rangers Crest". Rangers FC. Retrieved 21 January 2013. Although the 'RFC' Scroll Crest was omitted in 1959 it made a welcome return in 1968 when it was placed on the club's home jersey for the very first time. It was later added to the shorts a decade later for the start of the 1978–79 season.
  98. ^ "The Rangers Crest". Gersnet Online. Retrieved 21 January 2013. From 1990 to 1994 'Rangers Football Club' and the 'Ready' motto were placed above and below the Crest respectively. In 1997–98 the Crest was placed in a shield but perhaps the most significant change was before the start of the 2003/04 campaign. Having clinched their 50th League Championship, a year in which Rangers secured a domestic Treble, the Club decided to add five stars above the Scoll Crest, one for every ten titles won.
  99. ^ a b c d e f "Rangers". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  100. ^ "Rangers Change Kits". Historical Football Kits. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  101. ^ Devlin, John (3 July 2009). "An alternative to alcohol". True Colours. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have actually sported the Center Parcs logo during the course of two seasons. It was first worn in the 1996–97 Champions League match at Auxerre that the French side won 2–1. Then in 97–98 a new style Center Parcs logo was worn in the UEFA Cup first round first leg game in Strasbourg where again the 'Gers lost 2–1 (also wearing their change blue shorts) {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  102. ^ "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 1920's 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.) {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  103. ^ "Rangers consider Ibrox expansion". BBC Sport. BBC. 6 January 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The plans, one of three options being considered by the club, could see the stadium in Glasgow completely rebuilt with a new capacity of 70,000. Rangers would retain the Bill Struth main stand, which is designated as as a Category B listed building. Ibrox currently holds 51,082 fans, behind Hampden Park and Celtic Park. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  104. ^ MacDonald, Hugh (26 March 2012). "Working with kids is its own reward for the man in charge at Murray Park". Herald Scotland. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013. Ally McCoist, the manager, normally leaves Sinclair and his staff to choose the youngsters but sometimes will stipulate who he and the first-team staff want. "That daily exposure is priceless," says Sinclair. "The boys become comfortable with the staff and first-team players. If they were round there [first-team pitches] once every six months, it would be a trial but it is a regular process. [Danny] Wilson, [John] Fleck and Little were all steeped in that." {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  105. ^ Smith, Paul (2012). For Richer, for Poorer: The Murray Years. Random House. ISBN 1780572824, 9781780572826. add quote {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  106. ^ Bobby Sinnet; Thomas Jamieson. "Average Home League Game Attendances". fitbastats. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. 2011/2012 46,324 {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  107. ^ "UK Supporters Clubs". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. There are more than 600 registered supporters clubs with over 30,000 registered members and these continue to grow, in keeping with the vision the club initially had. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  108. ^ "Global Supporters Clubs". Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. It includes representatives from all over the globe – including North America, Australasia and the Middle East – as well as closer to home in the United Kingdom. There are also clubs registered in far-flung locations such as Azerbaijan, Nigeria, Hong Kong and Peru. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  109. ^ Scott, Les (2008). End to End Stuff. Random House. p. 17. ISBN 0593060687, 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. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  110. ^ Nisbet, John (27 August 2010). "150,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008". The Independent. The Independent Group. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. But the chief executive at Rangers, Martin Bain, insists there will be no repeat of the scenes of crowd misbehaviour which marred the club's last visit to Manchester. Some 150,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008 and trouble started when a giant screen failed to work. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  111. ^ "Rangers fans clash with riot police after Uefa Cup final defeat". Metro. Associated Newspapers. 14 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. GMP would like to stress that the vast majority of supporters have behaved impeccably and came to Manchester clearly intent on enjoying the carnival atmosphere. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  112. ^ Carter, Helen; Orr, James (15 May 2008). "Rangers fans clashed with riot police". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. A full inquiry was under way today after Rangers fans clashed with riot police in Manchester last night after their team's defeat by Zenit St Petersburg in the Uefa Cup final. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  113. ^ "Rangers fans take long road home". BBC News. BBC. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. A number of supporters clashed with riot police after a big screen in Manchester broke down. Officers later confirmed 42 people had been arrested. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  114. ^ "CCTV shows fans chasing police". BBC News. BBC. 15 May 2008. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. Police in Manchester have released CCTV images showing up to 200 football fans chasing officers and attacking one of them after the Uefa Cup final. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  115. ^ Price, Catherine (2010). 101 Places Not to See Before You Die. Harper Collins. pp. 174, 175. ISBN 0061787760, 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. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  116. ^ Haggerty, Anthony (18 December 2011). "Old Firm don't need a Messi or Ronaldo to be biggest derby in world, says Ali Russell". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. RANGERS operations chief Ali Russell insists the Old Firm rivalry is the biggest in the world – because a billion fans tune in to watch two teams devoid of world stars. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  117. ^ Lawford, Mark (13 March 2009). "Sportsmail's guide to illogical footballing rivalries". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General Trust. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Dons supporters chant 'We hate Rangers more than you' when they play Celtic and a lot of this can be traced back to a challenge made by Neil Simpson on Ian Durrant in 1988 that kept the Rangers midfielder out of the game for nearly three years. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  118. ^ "Rangers apologise to Aberdeen". The Independent. The Independent Group. 18 November 1998. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2010. RANGERS ISSUED a full public apology to Aberdeen last night for labelling a section of the Pittodrie club's support "scum" in last Saturday's Ibrox matchday programme. Stewart Milne, the Aberdeen chairman, protested to Bob Brannan, the Rangers chief executive, yesterday about the anonymous article which also branded the Dons' team as "under-achievers and money-grabbers" {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  119. ^ "A history of bad blood". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 January 2002. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2010. The catalyst for the recent venom between the two sets of supporters was the 1988 incident involving Neil Simpson and Iain Durrant. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  120. ^ Harris, Paul (15 May 2008). "A football match? Manchester during the Uefa Cup Final felt more like a war zone". Daily Mail. DAily Mail and General Trust. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. In the heat of the night: A masked thug in the middle of other Rangers fans confronts a police cordon in Manchester city centre {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  121. ^ Smith, Andrew (14 October 2012). "Rangers v Queen's Park: Renewing an age-old rivalry". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012. IT HAS been billed by the Ibrox club as the "original Glasgow derby". It might equally be argued that their hosting of Queen's Park in the Third Division on Saturday is the newest Glasgow derby.
    ...
    Although the teams last met in a League Cup tie 21 years ago and regularly jousted in the Glasgow Cup in the two decades before that, there has not been a league meeting since 1958, the year Queen's Park last played top-flight football. The fact the confrontation has returned to the calendar in a wholly different form was best encapsulated by Rangers ambassador Sandy Jardine.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  122. ^ Fisher, Stewart (14 October 2012). "Old rivalry renewed". Herald Scotland. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012. Queen's Park and Rangers, two teams that first met competitively in a Scottish Cup tie in March 1879, some nine years before Celtic were formed, meet in an Irn-Bru Third division encounter at Ibrox. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  123. ^ Forsyth, Roddy (19 October 2012). "Rangers and Queen's Park ready to resurrect world's oldest derby". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013. The Old Firm collision it most certainly is not – to the relief of Glasgow's constabulary and A&E departments – but Saturday afternoon's visit of Queen's Park to Ibrox will draw the UK's second biggest crowd and resurrect a fixture that first appeared in the records in 1875 when the pair played a charity match in aid of fire victims. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  124. ^ "Findlay songs inquiry launched". BBC News. BBC. 9 June 1999. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. The Faculty of Advocates is to investigate complaints against the leading Scottish lawyer Donald Findlay QC after he was captured on camera singing sectarian songs. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  125. ^ O'Sullivan, Jack (4 June 1999). "I'm Catholic in a football sense". The Independent. Independent Print limited. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Findlay, Scotland's leading criminal lawyer, is a Protestant and proud of it. But he was embarrassed to be caught on video singing sectarian songs. They included "The Billy Boys", a verse of which goes: "We're up to our knees in Fenian blood, Surrender or you die, We are the Billy Boys." {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  126. ^ Humphrys, John (2 July 2002). "On the Ropes – Donald Findlay QC" (Press release). BBC Press Office. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Donald Findlay QC tells John Humphrys about the effect singing sectarian, anti-Catholic songs at a party for Glasgow Rangers had on his life, and how he, at one stage, even contemplated suicide. {{cite press release}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  127. ^ "Rangers appeal upheld". UEFA.com. UEFA. 25 May 2006. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. UEFA appealed against the decision on 12 April by the Control and Disciplinary Body to find Rangers not guilty of alleged discriminatory chants by the club's supporters at both legs of the tie, on 22 February at Ibrox and 7 March at El Madrigal. Rangers have been fined €19,500 and severely warned about their responsibility for any future misconduct by their fans in relation to sectarian and discriminatory behaviour. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  128. ^ "Uefa fine for Rangers and Osasuna". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 May 2007. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have been fined £8,280 by Uefa for the behaviour of their fans during their match against Osasuna – but the Spanish club must pay £31,000. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  129. ^ "Rangers to contest Uefa sectarian singing charge". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers are to face a Uefa disciplinary hearing over allegations of sectarian singing during last month's Europa Lague match away to PSV Eindhoven. The club's chief executive Martin Bain says they are "utterly dismayed" by the decision and that they will defend the club's position "vigorously". {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  130. ^ "Uefa fines Rangers and bans fans for one away game". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2011. Uefa has fined Rangers 40,000 euros (£35,652) and banned its fans from the next away European game for sectarian singing in a match at PSV Eindhoven. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  131. ^ Armstrong, Gary; Giulianotti, Richard (2001). Fear and loathing in world football. Berg Publishers. pp. 25, 26. ISBN 1 85973 463 4. Retrieved 15 August 2012. Primrose with associated with the most virulent anti-Catholic and anti-Irish sentiment, and was openly allied with the orange order.
  132. ^ a b Murray, William J. (2000). The Old Firm: Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland. John Donald Publishers. pp. 60, 64, 65, 189. ISBN 0859765423, 9780859765428. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  133. ^ Giulianotti, Richard (1999). Football: A Sociology of the Global Game. John Wiley & Sons. p. 18. ISBN 0745617697, 9780745617695. Historically Rangers have maintained a staunch Protestant and anti-Catholic tradition which includes a ban on signing Catholic players. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  134. ^ Gallagher, Tom (1987). Glasgow, the Uneasy Peace: Religious Tension in Modern Scotland, 1819–1914. Manchester University Press ND. p. 300. ISBN 0719023963, 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. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  135. ^ Souness, Graeme; Gallacher, Ken (1989). Graeme Souness: A Manager's Diary. Mainstream Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 185158224X, 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. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  136. ^ Laing, Allan (11 July 1989). "Ibrox lands double coup with Johnston". Herald Scotland. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers yesterday paraded their latest, and most controversial signing, Maurice Johnston, in the process demolishing any remaining they were sectarian, and upstaging their arch-rivals Celtic.
  137. ^ Kuper, Simon (2006). Football Against the Enemy. Orion. ISBN 0-7528-4877-1.
  138. ^ Kuper, Simon (18 March 2012). "Decline and fall of the Old Firm". New Statesman. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. In the past 15 years, both clubs have tried to stamp out bigotry, largely for pragmatic reasons. The IRA guff puts off sponsors and when the market in foreign footballers opened up in the 1990s, the old prohibition on signing Catholics became irksome for Rangers. Many of the foreign players who have since come to Glasgow must have struggled to remember whether they were playing for the Protestant team or the Catholic one. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  139. ^ "Former Old Firm Italians give their take on derby clash". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 7 October 2009. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. I've been Rangers' first Catholic captain {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  140. ^ Rumsby, Ben (18 February 2009). "SPL Remains tight-lipped over report on Parkhead chanting". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. THE Scottish Premier League has confirmed it has received the match delegate's report from the Old Firm derby but refused to divulge if alleged sectarian chanting from Rangers fans was mentioned within it. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  141. ^ "Rangers to root out racists". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. 10 March 2003. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2012. Rangers chairman John McClelland has vowed to root out the racist fans who booed whenever Celtic's Bobo Balde and Momo Sylla had possession during his club's Old Firm derby defeat on Saturday. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  142. ^ Wright, Angus (13 November 2006). "SFA praised for stance on bigotry". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. Education and prevention is what we are really looking at and Scotland is a great example of somewhere where that has done a tremendous amount in practically eradicating the worst features of discrimination. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  143. ^ Spiers, Graham (21 September 2007). "Uefa praises Rangers for action on bigotry". The Times. News Corporation. Retrieved 22 March 2009.(subscription required)
  144. ^ Sekar, Satish (20 February 2009). "No Surrender to Bigotry". Empower-Sport British Supplement. Empower-Sport. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Both UEFA and FIFA hold Rangers up as a positive example of a club determined to tackle the problem that threatens its future. And the SFA joins in that praise. "On the sectarianism front Rangers have tried to develop a policy across the Protestant/Catholic divide," says Mr Mitchell. "They have imposed a large number of life bans on supporters who have been identified and found guilty of sectarian behaviour." And Rangers is not alone in taking such action. "Generally speaking it is by the clubs," he says. "If there is a criminal prosecution that has an effect as well, but the clubs themselves have taken that action off their own back, because they have the right to decide who can come into the stadium or not." {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  145. ^ Teather, David (31 March 2000). "Rangers to float as it chases global glory". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2012. Rangers football club, on track for its 49th Scottish premier league title, announced plans yesterday to float the business on the stock market and disclosed that talks are under way with a number of potential media investors. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  146. ^ Currie, David; Lamont, Alasdair; McLaughlin, Chris (6 May 2011). "Craig Whyte completes takeover of Rangers for £1". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Craig Whyte has completed his takeover of Rangers for £1 but amid continuing concerns by board members about his ability to invest sufficient funds. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  147. ^ "Rangers FC signals intent to go into administration". BBC News. BBC. 13 February 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers Football Club has confirmed it has filed legal papers at the Court of Session to appoint administrators. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  148. ^ "Rangers Football Club enters administration". BBC News. BBC. 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. HMRC lodged its petition over alleged non-payment of about £9m in PAYE and VAT following Craig Whyte's takeover. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  149. ^ "Rangers in crisis: Administration was sparked by £9million bill for unpaid VAT and PAYE". Daily Record. Trinity Mirror. 14 February 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. RANGERS went into administration today – as it was revealed they had failed to pay £9million in VAT and PAYE from the current financial year. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  150. ^ "Rangers' estimated debts could top £134m". BBC News. BBC. 5 April 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 13 September 2012. Rangers' administrators estimate that the club's total debts could top £134m. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  151. ^ Grahams, Ewing (21 November 2012). "Rangers win 'Big Tax Case' appeal over use of Employee Benefit Trusts". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  152. ^ "ANONYMISED FORM OF THE DECISION". Finance and Tax Tribunals. UK Government. Archived from the original (pdf) on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 27 November 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  153. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21326039
  154. ^ "Rangers in crisis: Police asked to probe Craig Whyte takeover". BBC News. BBC. 25 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2004. Retrieved 24 August 2012. A criminal investigation is to be launched into Craig Whyte's takeover of Rangers Football Club in May last year. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  155. ^ Farrell, Mike (12 June 2012). "Rangers liquidation now inevitable after CVA bid rejected by HMRC". STV Glasgow. STV. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. Mr Green has previously stated that should the CVA fail his offer goes into an "automatic mode" to carry out a 'newco' switch at the Ibrox club, where all assets are sold to a new business entity for £5.5m and Rangers FC Plc, incorporated in 1899, is liquidated. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  156. ^ "Rangers tax case leaks: Sir David Murray makes 'criminal complaint'". STV Glasgow. STV. 27 November 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. In June administrators Duff and Phelps confirmed it had failed to secure a route out of the insolvency event and the club's assets were sold to a newco owned by a Charles Green-led consortium in a £5.5m deal. The oldco, now RFC 2012 Plc, formerly The Rangers Football Club Plc, has been placed into liquidation. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  157. ^ "Rangers chief Charles Green criticises Tannadice ticket plan". BBC Sport Scotland. BBC. 23 December 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. And Green, who bought Rangers' assets after the company that formerly ran the club could not be saved from liquidation, believes the decision to sell tickets directly to visiting fans could spark trouble at the match. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  158. ^ McLaughlin, Chris (29 January 2013). "SPL independent commission into Rangers player payments begins". BBC Scotland. BBC. Retrieved 29 January 2013. The three-man commission will decide if the company that formerly ran Rangers broke Scottish Premier League rules.
    ...
    The commission will study the financial arrangements made by the Employee Benefit Trust scheme run by former Rangers owner Sir David Murray's company, Murray International Holdings.
    ...
    The probe was launched before the company that ran Rangers - The Rangers Football Club Plc - was consigned to liquidation.
    The consortium now running the club, led by chief executive Charles Green, has refused to recognise or co-operate with the investigation.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  159. ^ Farrell, Mike (12 June 2012). "Rangers in Crisis". STV News. STV. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. The Ibrox club confirmed its planned company voluntary arrangement (CVA) escape from administration would now fail as the tax authorities revealed they felt it was in the "public interest" to liquidate Rangers FC plc, incorporated in 1899. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  160. ^ "Rangers liquidated as CVA formally rejected". The Scotsman. Johnston Press. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. GLASGOW RANGERS were today forced into liquidation after major creditor Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) formally rejected an offer of a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) from the club's administrators. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  161. ^ "Little black and white as Green faces closer scrutiny". The Herald. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  162. ^ "Commission Decision" (PDF). SPL. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  163. ^ "Welcome to 'The Rangers Football Club'... new name for crisis club as Green beats late Smith bid to seal deal". Daily Mail. Daily Mail and General Trust. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2012. Green completed his £5.5million newco acquisition after his Company Voluntary Arrangement was formally rejected. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  164. ^ "Charles Green completes purchase of Rangers assets". The Independent. Independent Print Ltd. 14 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Green completed his £5.5million newco acquisition after his Company Voluntary Arrangement was formally rejected. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  165. ^ "Rangers players must join newco – Charles Green". BBC Sport. BBC. 12 June 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. The position of Duff & Phelps is that we will remain as administrators probably for some more weeks. We will then get release from that position and the company will be passed into liquidation. But just to stress the club will have been sold and moved out of the company by then.
    "The history of the club remains with the club, so the club moves from Rangers Plc into the new company and all of the titles and 140-year history will remain with the club. That was part of the two-stage process we set up with Charles Green all those weeks ago.
    {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  166. ^ "THE RANGERS FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED". Companies House. UK Government. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. Registration Date: 29/05/2012
    PreviousNames
    CONDate 31/07/2012
    CompanyName SEVCO SCOTLAND LIMITED
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  168. ^ "Rangers newco owner Charles Green make bigotry claim over SPL rejection". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Charles Green has claimed that bigotry was among the motives for punishing the new Rangers for the misdemeanours of the old Ibrox club. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  169. ^ "Newco Rangers to be refused SPL entry as six clubs say they will vote no". STV Sport. STV. 25 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012. Newco Rangers look certain to be refused SPL membership after Aberdeen and St Johnstone revealed they will vote against a new company taking the crisis-hit club's place. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  170. ^ Muirhead, Andy (27 July 2012). "In full: Rangers newco statement on SFA membership". Scotzine.com. Scotzine. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. This is still Rangers and the next chapter of our history has the potential to be one of the greatest stories in the history of sport. The Rangers revival begins now and I, for one, am looking forward to the journey {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  171. ^ "Rangers' SFA membership rubber-stamped". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 13 August 2012. Rangers have received full membership of the Scottish Football Association, the governing body has confirmed. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  172. ^ "Rangers FC". uefa.com. UEFA. 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2012. Click on scottish cup squad and it displays the squad from 2012/2013 and the league squad of SPL the season before {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  173. ^ Full video interview: SPL chief Neil Doncaster on Rangers and his future. STV Sport. STV. 18 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. {{cite AV media}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  174. ^ "Early day motion 374". UK Government. 11 July 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. That this House acknowledges the strenuous efforts being made by the current management, playing and backroom staff at Rangers Football Club to set the Club on a sound financial footing; commends the sacrificial financial moves made by many at Rangers in recent months to help alleviate the problems caused by previous owners; and calls on the Scottish football authorities, if they believe in integrity, to move quickly so that both Rangers with their worldwide fan base and all other clubs can prepare for the new season, allowing genuine football fans to enjoy the game and the clubs they love. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  175. ^ Q&A: Scottish FA chief executive Stewart Regan on Rangers bbc.co.uk, accessed 2 February 2013
  176. ^ "Rangers: Newcastle's Mike Ashley ready to buy Ibrox share". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012. Businessman Charles Green led a consortium to buy Rangers' assets for £5.5m and reformed the club as a new company. But the 'newco' did not get the required votes for re-admittance to the SPL and instead, Rangers were relaunched in Division Three, drawing 2–2 with Peterhead in their opening game. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  177. ^ "Raith & Clyde criticise Rangers newco Division One plan". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 June 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. Raith Rovers and Clyde insist plans to place the Rangers newco in Scottish Division One should not be forced upon Scottish Football League clubs. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  178. ^ "Scottish FA issues Rangers update". scottishfa.co.uk. SFA. 17 July 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  179. ^ "Charles Green gives SFA details for membership bid". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 July 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. "We have received an information pack from Sevco Scotland relevant to their membership application," said the SFA. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  180. ^ "Agreement on Transfer of Membership". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. 27 July 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 30 July 2012. We are pleased to confirm that agreement has been reached on all outstanding points relating to the transfer of the Scottish FA membership between Rangers FC (In Administration), and Sevco Scotland Ltd, who will be the new owners of The Rangers Football Club. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  181. ^ Rangers International Football Club plc londonstockexchange.com, accessed 27 January 2013
  182. ^ "Introducing The Foundation". Rangerscharity.org.uk. Rangers Charity Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2012. Being a champion of charitable giving is our goal, and since our creation in 2002 we have donated over £1 million in cash awards and over £1,550,000 of in-kind support to hundreds of groups and individuals, making a combined total of over £2,500,000 {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  183. ^ Farrell, Mike (6 March 2012). "Inquiry into Rangers charity match against AC Milan". STV Glasgow. STV. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012. The charity, which has donated more than £2.3m to various causes since it was set up in 2002, has reduced the amount it will take from the game to 10%, meaning the majority of the money raised will go to the club, which is currently in administration. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  184. ^ Romanos, Joseph (2010). Great Sporting Rivals (Large Print 16pt). ReadHowYouWant.com. p. 139. ISBN 1458779661, 9781458779663. Retrieved 25 December 2012. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: invalid character (help)
  185. ^ a b c d Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (2005). Rangers: The Complete Record. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-481-7.
  186. ^ Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (1990). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. The Crowood Press. ISBN 1-85223-404-0.
  187. ^ Ferrier, Bob; McElroy, Robert (1998). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. The Crowood Press. ISBN 0-600-59495-5.
  188. ^ a b c d e Potter, David; Jones, Phil (2011). The Encyclopedia of Scottish Football. Pitch Publishing. pp. 95–103, 294. ISBN 1908051108. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  189. ^ a b c d e f g Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack (4 August 2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–12. Headline. pp. 758–759. ISBN 0755362322. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  190. ^ Ferrier, Bob and McElroy, Robert (1990). Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player. The Crowood Press. ISBN 1-85223-404-0. {{cite book}}: Check |authorlink= value (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  191. ^ "Football titles world league: Rangers top, but who is most dominant?". The Independent. Independent Print Ltd. 16 February 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  192. ^ "Number of Treble Wins". rssf.com. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  193. ^ "Rangers F.C". Last F.M. CBS Interactive. 21 May 2011. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 December 2012. Total number of recognised trophies – 115 *WORLD RECORD* {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  194. ^ "Rangers manager Ally McCoist not trading on legend status". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 September 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 24 September 2012. International honours: 61 caps and 19 goals for Scotland {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  195. ^ "First Team". Rangers FC. August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  196. ^ "Rangers". BBC Sport. BBC. August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  197. ^ "Rangers: Dorin Goian leaves as Maurice Edu is linked with Stoke". BBC Sport. BBC. 21 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012. Defender Dorin Goian has left Rangers to join Italian Serie B club Spezia on a season-long loan. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  198. ^ "Rangers: Carlos Bocanegra joins Racing Santander on loan". BBC Sport. BBC. 31 August 2012. Archived from the original on 22 December 2012. Retrieved 6 September 2012. Racing Santander have announced that they have signed defender Carlos Bocanegra on loan from Rangers.
    The Spanish second division club said the 33-year-old United States captain had joined until June.
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  199. ^ "Board Of Directors". Rangers.co.uk. Rangers FC. December 2012. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  200. ^ "Backroom Staff". Rangers.co.uk. Rangers FC. August 2012. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  201. ^ "Jim Sinclair". Rangers.co.uk. Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013. RANGERS appointed Jim Sinclair as Youth Academy Director at Murray Park in August 2006. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  202. ^ "SFA man to head Gers youth set-up". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 June 2006. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013. Rangers have announced the appointment of Jim Sinclair from the Scottish Football Association as director of their youth academy. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  203. ^ "Andrew Dickson". Rangers.co.uk. Rangers FC. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013. AS Rangers' head of football administration, Andrew Dickson is a key member of the executive team on the business side of the club. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  204. ^ "Rangers reshuffle top executives". BBC Sport. BBC. 19 September 2005. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013. Andrew Dickson, who had been working with Ogilvie, takes responsibility for football administration and Craig Mulholland for youth administration. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  205. ^ a b "New RFC Appointments". Rangers.co.uk. Rangers FC. 17 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013. Imran Ahmad has joined the Club as Commercial Director and will be responsible for generating and developing new business and investment opportunities.
    Craig Mather has been appointed as Director of Sports Development and will assist the Club in reviewing the overall organisational structure and assume financial responsibilities for Murray Park.
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  206. ^ a b "Rangers announce new director roles". Herald Scotland. Newsquest. 17 October 2012. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013. Existing director Imran Ahmad has been named as commercial director, with responsibility for developing new business and investment opportunities, and Craig Mather has been appointed as director of sports development. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  207. ^ "Rangers: Jim Traynor appointed Ibrox director of communication". BBC Sport. BBC. 8 December 2012. Archived from the original on 17 January 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2013. Rangers: Jim Traynor appointed Ibrox director of communication {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  208. ^ "McCoist confirmed as Smith's successor". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 February 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. Rangers have confirmed for the first time that Ally McCoist will take over as manager when Walter Smith steps down at the end of the season. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  209. ^ Taylor, Julian (4 January 2007). "Rangers reel as Le Guen departs". BBC Sport. BBC. Archived from the original on 18 August 2012. Retrieved 18 August 2012. The club's reserve-team coach, Ian Durrant, will take charge of training on Friday ahead of the club's next match, a Tennent's Scottish Cup tie, against Dunfermline Athletic on Sunday. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  210. ^ "UEFA coefficients". UEFA.com. UEFA. {{cite web}}: Text "21 April 2013" ignored (help)
  211. ^ "Rangers Greatest 11". The official Rangers FC Website. 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  212. ^ Football: Greig is voted greatest ever Ranger! The Free Library, 1999
  213. ^ Hall of Fame Scottish Football Museum
  214. ^ "International Roll of Honour". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  215. ^ Scottish Sports Hall of Fame Scottish Sports

Specific;

Further reading

Official
News

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Notable former players

The "Greatest Ever" Rangers 11 chosen by fans, in 1999. The coach chosen was Walter Smith.[n 1][1]

Greatest ever team

The following team was voted the greatest ever Rangers team by supporters in 1999. When the vote was launched it was feared that younger voters would ignore the great service of many of the pre-war stars (notably the most successful captain and most successful manager the club has ever had, Davie Meiklejohn and Bill Struth respectively). When the ballot was launched Donald Findlay stated it would be limited to post Second World War players because "few can recall players of these earlier eras":[2]

Scotland Football Hall of Fame

To 2012, 25 players and managers to have been involved with Rangers in their careers, have entered the Scottish Football Hall of Fame:[3]

Scotland Roll of Honour

The Scotland national football team roll of honour recognises players who have gained 50 or more international caps for Scotland. The 7 inductees to have played for Rangers in their career are:[4]

Scottish Sports Hall of Fame

In the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, 3 Rangers players have been selected, they are:[5]

See also

References

Notes;

  1. ^ Choices were limited to post World War II era players only.

General;

  1. ^ "Rangers Greatest 11". The official Rangers FC Website. 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  2. ^ Football: Greig is voted greatest ever Ranger! The Free Library, 1999
  3. ^ Hall of Fame Scottish Football Museum
  4. ^ "International Roll of Honour". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  5. ^ Scottish Sports Hall of Fame Scottish Sports

Specific;

Further reading

Official
News

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