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| {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2013}}{{Use British English|date=December 2012}} | |||
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| {{infobox football club | |||
| |image=] | |||
| |fullname=Rangers Football Club | |||
| |nickname=The Gers;{{break}} The Teddy Bears;{{break}} The Light Blues | |||
| |clubname=Rangers | |||
| |founded=March 1872; 142 years ago | |||
| |owner=The Rangers Football Club Ltd | |||
| |chairman=Sandy Easdale<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|author=|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25359215 |title=Rangers: Charles Green has no influence, says Sandy Easdale |publisher=BBC |date=13 December 2013 }}</ref> | |||
| |ground=]{{break}}], Scotland | |||
| |capacity=50,987 (all seated)<ref></ref> | |||
| |manager=] | |||
| |league=] | |||
| |current=2014–15 Rangers F.C. season | |||
| |season=] | |||
| |position=], 1st<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26555502</ref> | |||
| |website=http://www.rangers.co.uk/ | |||
| |kit_alt1=Home shirt from 2012–present | |||
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| '''Rangers Football Club''' is a Scottish ] club based in ], which plays in the ] – the second tier of the ]. Their home ground is ] in the south-west of the city. | '''Rangers Football Club''' is a Scottish ] club based in ], which plays in the ] – the second tier of the ]. Their home ground is ] in the south-west of the city. | ||
| In domestic football, Rangers are a new club with no success of any kind in Scotland's top league. | |||
| In domestic football, Rangers have won more league titles and ] 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 ], Rangers was the first British club to reach a UEFA tournament final. It won the European Cup Winners' Cup in ] after being runner-up twice in ] and ]. A third runners-up finish in Europe came in the 2008 UEFA Cup. | |||
| Founded in March 1872, Rangers were one of the ten founder members of the original ]<ref></ref> and remained in the top division continuously until their ejection, at the end of the 2011-12 season, due to the ] of The Rangers Football Club ]. Under new ownership, the club was admitted to the fourth tier of the Scottish game for the following season. Rangers have a long-standing rivalry with ], the two Glasgow clubs being collectively known as the ] 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, early years and William Wilton=== | |||
| ] | |||
| The four founders of Rangers – brothers ] and ], ] and ] – met in March 1872 at West End Park, (now known as ]). Rangers' first match, in May that year, was a goalless friendly draw with ] on ]. 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=]|publisher=]|date=17 August 2012|accessdate=18 August 2012|quote=Founded: 1872{{break}}Biggest win: 10–0 v Hibernian 1898{{break}}Most appearances: John Greig 755 (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=]|work=]|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 its first ], with Moses McNeil representing ] in a match against ].<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 ]. Rangers won the ] 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=]|accessdate=20 January 2013|publisher=]|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 ].<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 ] 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 ]. After finishing joint-top with ], a play-off held at ] finished 2–2 and the title was shared for the only time in its history. Rangers' first-ever Scottish Cup win came in 1894 after a 3–1 final victory over rivals Celtic. By the start of the 20th century, Rangers had won two league titles and three Scottish Cups.<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=July 2014|accessdate=31 July 2014|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0ihHPhd|archivedate=31 July 2014|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=]|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> During ]'s time as match secretary and then team manager, Rangers won 10 leagues titles. | |||
| ===Bill Struth and Scot Symon=== | |||
| Taking over as manager from William Wilton in 1920, ] was Rangers' most successful manager, guiding the club to 14 league titles before the onset of the ]. 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 ] 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=]|publisher=]|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 ].<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=]|work=]|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 January 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| ] 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 ], the era of ], 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=]|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=]|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.<ref name="Record old firm result" /> | |||
| Rangers reached the semi-finals of the ] in 1960, losing to German club ] 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=]|work=]|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 ], 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, by a single goal after extra time to ].<ref name="Rangers uefa page" /> | |||
| ===Ibrox disaster, European success and Jock Wallace=== | |||
| ] | |||
| The ] occurred on 2 January 1971 when ] 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=]|work=]|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 ] 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 ] goal and a ] double helped secure a 3–2 victory over ] at the Nou Camp, Barcelona, to lift the ]. Captain John Greig received the trophy in a small room within the ] 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=]|work=]|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 ] Celtic side, Rangers regained ascendancy with notable domestic success under the stewardship of manager ]. In his first season in charge – the club's ] – Rangers won the Scottish Cup at ] 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=]|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=]|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 – 9 in a row=== | |||
| Every year from the ] season until the ] season, Rangers won the league title. This nine-in-a-row achievement equalled Celtic's record, set prior to the forming of the ], subsequent to which competing teams met four times a season. The first three of these seasons the club was managed by ]; the latter six under the stewardship of ].<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 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 ], 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 ] was notable for a ] 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> | |||
| Rangers' ninth consecutive championship title was secured at ] on 7 May 1997, with a single-goal victory over ].<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, Dutchman ] 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=]|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 ] 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 ] final victory over Aberdeen. Rangers' campaign in the ] saw them defeat UEFA Cup winners ] 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=]|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 ]. Despite investment in the team, including ] 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 ] 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 and was replaced by ].<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, the ] 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 ] 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=]|work=]|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 ] ] had burdened Rangers with considerable ]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=]|publisher=]|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 ] failing to deliver any trophies, only the second such occasion since ].<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 ] restored success to Rangers, who were boosted by signings such as ],<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> ]<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 ],<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 ] ] after a spell in England with ].<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 final-day finish. The destination of the ] changed unexpectedly, with Celtic conceding late goals to ] at ] whilst Rangers led against Hibernian, requiring the ] carrying the SPL trophy to change direction and deliver the prize to the ] ground in ].<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=]|publisher=]|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 ten games without a win. Included within this period, a 1–1 draw with ] 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 ] to ].<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 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=== | |||
| ] | |||
| Frenchman ] replaced ] 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 with an early exit from the ]<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 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=]|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 ], 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=]|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 ] ] from his post as Scotland manager to return to the Ibrox helm, with Ally McCoist as ].<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> | |||
| ] which Rangers contested.]] | |||
| The following season Rangers contested the ] after dropping into the competition from the ].<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 ], ], ] 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 ] against ], 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=]|work=]|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 ] to ] of ].<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=]|work=]|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 its 52nd league championship on the last day of the season with a 3–0 victory at Dundee United.<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.<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> | |||
| The ] saw Rangers reach their fifth consecutive domestic final: against ] in the Scottish League Cup, the club overcame a two-men ] from ], a late deciding goal from ] securing a record 27th victory in the competition.<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 ], defeating Hibernian 1–0 with a ] goal. The ], Smith's final season in charge, saw Rangers retain the League Cup, defeating Celtic at Hampden with a ] 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 ] 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=== | |||
| Ally McCoist took over from Walter Smith in June 2011 but ] started with Rangers eliminated from two European competitions before the end of August: losing to Swedish side ] in the ] 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=]|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 to Slovenian side ] in a ] qualifying match.<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> While good league form saw Rangers in top spot after being unbeaten for the first 15 games, they were knocked out of the ] by ]<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 ] by ] 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 ], resulting in the club being deducted 10 points as per SPL rules.<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 ] at Ibrox though they lost 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 by 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> Though Rangers avoided Celtic winning the championship at Ibrox on 25 March by winning the game 3–2, Rangers ultimately finished behind Celtic in second place.<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 ]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=]|work=]|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> www.telegraph.co.uk, accessed 26 March 2013</ref> A new company, Sevco Scotland Ltd, then purchased the business, assets and history of The Rangers Football Club PLC,<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=]|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> which then applied unsuccessfully for membership of the Scottish Premier League.<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 for membership of the | |||
| ] was accepted, however, with Rangers being awarded associate membership and placed in the lowest division, the Third, 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> Sevco Scotland Ltd 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), allowing Rangers to relaunch<ref> bbc.co.uk, accessed 11 April 2014</ref> in time for the start of the ].<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> On 31 July 2012, shareholders of Sevco Scotland Ltd voted to change the company name to The Rangers Football Club Ltd.<ref> www.scotsman.com, 31 July 2012</ref> | |||
| Rangers' first home match in the ] was a 5–1 victory over ] in front of a crowd of 49,118 at Ibrox, a ] 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=]|work=]|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="Unofficial 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"}} Away from home, Rangers started their league campaign with three successive draws before losing 1–0 to ], 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 ] where they were defeated by ] 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 ] where they lost 3–0 at home to ]<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 ] where they were defeated 3–0 by Dundee United.<ref> www.bbc.co.uk, 2 February 2013</ref> Rangers beat their own new record against ] 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=]|publisher=Guardian 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 their record again">{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/272760/form|title=THE IRN-BRU SCOTTISH THIRD DIVISION|publisher=]|work=]|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 ] title on 30 March after a goalless draw at ]. | |||
| Apart from being defeated 2–1 by ] in the first round of the ] on 3 August, ] got off to an excellent start with Rangers winning maximum league points in their first 15 games in ], before being held to a draw at home by ] on Boxing Day 2013. Rangers secured the ] title and promotion to ] on 12 March 2014.<ref> stv.tv, accessed 10 April 2014</ref> Rangers also reached the final of the ] where they lost to ]<ref> bbc.co.uk, accessed 10 April 2014</ref> and the semi-final of the ] where they lost 3–1 at Ibrox to Dundee United. Rangers ended the season unbeaten in league football with a 1-1 draw against Dunfermline on 3 May 2014. | |||
| ==Crest and colours== | |||
| ===Crest=== | |||
| Unusually for a football club, Rangers have two different official ]. Today the original scroll crest appears on the club's strips whereas the ] 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 ]), 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=]|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=]|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 ], which delivered Rangers a ] and their 50th league title; ] 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" /> | |||
| <gallery widths=180px heights=180px align=center> | |||
| File:RangersFCLogo1959.png|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:Rangers FC logo 1990's.png|alt=Lion rampant club crest 1968–1991. Never appeared on the shirt.|<div align="center">Lion rampant club crest 1968–1991. Never appeared on the shirt.</div> | |||
| File:ScrollCrestRangersF.C.svg|alt=Scroll crest. Appeared on the chest of the Rangers shirt 1968–Present.|<div align="center">Scroll crest. Appeared on the chest of the Rangers shirt since 1968.</div> | |||
| File:StarScrollCrestRangersFC.svg|alt=Scroll crest with 5 stars. Worn on the Rangers shirt 2003–Present.|<div align="center">Scroll crest with 5 stars. Worn on the Rangers shirt since 2003.</div> | |||
| </gallery> | |||
| ===Colours=== | |||
| The club ] of Rangers F.C. are ], 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 ] 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 ] they have had a specific kit manufacturer and since 1984 have had a kit sponsor. When Rangers played French sides ] and ] in the ] and the ] respectively, due to a French ban on ] the team wore the logo of ] instead of ].<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 1997–98 a new style Center Parcs logo was worn in the UEFA Cup first round first leg game in Strasbourg where again the 'Gers lost 2–1 (also wearing their change blue shorts)|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0w8Q8nG|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> Later matches played in France (when the club was sponsored by ]) saw the club wear no shirt sponsor at all, verse ] in November 2006<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6161154.stm | title=Auxerre 2-2 Rangers | publisher=BBC Sport| date=23 November 2006 }}</ref> and ] in October 2007.<ref>{{ cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7019587.stm| title=Lyon 0-3 Rangers | publisher=BBC Sport| date=2 October 2007}}</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 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |1990–1992 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |1992–1997 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |1997–2002 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |2002–2005 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |2005–2013 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |2013–2018 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |} | |||
| {| 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 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |1987–1999 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |1999–2003 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |2003–2010 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |2010–2013 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |2013–2014 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| | scope="row" |2014–2017 | |||
| | ] | |||
| |} | |||
| {{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 ], followed by ] in the ] area of the city, and then ] 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 ] area of south-west Glasgow, was inaugurated for the following season. Ibrox Stadium in its current incarnation was originally designed by the architect ], a Rangers fan who also played a part in the design of, among others, ] in Manchester and ] in ]. The stadium was inaugurated on 30 December 1899, and Rangers defeated ] 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=]|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 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 ], Glasgow. The facility is known as ] 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 million. Murray Park was the first purpose-built facility of its kind in Scotland, and incorporates features including nine football ], a state of the art ], a ] 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 ], ], ], ] and ]. International club teams playing in Scotland, as well as national sides, have previously used Murray Park for training, and Advocaat's ] used it for training prior to the ].<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 once every six months, it would be a trial but it is a regular process. Wilson, 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=]|author=Smith, Paul|year=2012|isbn=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, the figure for the ] being the ] 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=14 July 2014|quote=2013/2014 42,938|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A9uNcG79|archivedate=14 July 2014|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=]|author=Scott, Les|year=2008|page=17|isbn=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 ] on 27 March 1948 in the ] semi-final at ]. Rangers beat ] 1–0 in front of a packed 143,570 crowd. | |||
| In 2008, up to 200,000 Rangers supporters, many without match tickets, travelled to Manchester for the ].<ref name="Rangers invasion: your views | |||
| ">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2008/05/15/150508_rangers_invasion_feature.shtml|title=Rangers invasion: your views | |||
| |date=15 May 2008|accessdate=15 May 2008|quote=It was always going to put a massive strain on the city. An invasion of up to 200,000 Rangers supporters for the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester swamped the city’s pubs and bars and the dedicated fan zones.|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Mk10GbhE|archivedate=15 May 2008|deadurl=no|work=BBC Manchester|publisher=BBC|author= }}</ref><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=]|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 200,000 Rangers fans descended on the city for the Uefa Cup final in 2008 and trouble started when a giant screen failed to work.|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=]|publisher=]|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> Rangers fans were involved in ]. A minority of fans ]ed in the city centre, clashing ] with police and damaging property, resulting in 42 being arrested for a variety of offences.<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 ]; 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 ] ] community, whilst Celtic's traditional support is largely drawn from the ] 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 ], on Old Firm derby days; an activist group that monitors ] activity in Glasgow has reported that on Old Firm weekends, admissions to ] emergency rooms have increased over normal levels and journalist ] 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=]|author=Price, Catherine|year=2010|isbn=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 bitter rivalry with ] developed following an incident in the 1979 League Cup final when Rangers' ] provoked the fury of the Dons support with what they believed was a blatant dive but which resulted in the dismissal of Aberdeen's ] and a Rangers victory.<ref name="When two tribes go to war"> www.heraldscotland.com, accessed 30 November 2013</ref> Then, the following season, Aberdeen's ] had to be given the kiss of life at Ibrox after a vicious stamp on his throat.<ref name="When two tribes go to war"/> Relations between fans were further soured during a league match on 8 October 1988, when Aberdeen player ]'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=]|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' relaunch in the Third Division in season 2012/13 led to the club's original rivalry with ] 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 incurs criticism and sanctions upon the club as well as convictions against individuals identified.<ref> www.heraldscotland.com, 24 February 2013</ref><ref> www.dailyrecord.co.uk, 26 October 2012</ref> In 1999, the vice chairman of The Rangers Football Club Ltd, ], 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 has punished Rangers for incidents during European ties, most notably ] 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> ] 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 ] 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> In 2013, allegations were made that members of the armed forces were involved in sectarian singing at Ibrox at a weekend set up by the club to celebrate the British armed forces.<ref> The Scotsman, accessed 2 December 2013</ref> | |||
| ==Sectarianism== | |||
| {{main|Sectarianism in Glasgow}} | |||
| During the 19th century, many ] came to Glasgow from Ireland – this was a time of considerable anti-Catholic and ] 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=]|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 ']'.<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=9780859765428}}</ref><ref name="Non catholic signing policy 2">{{cite book|title=Football: A Sociology of the Global Game|publisher=]|author=Giulianotti, Richard|year=1999|page=18|isbn=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=]|author=Gallagher, Tom|year=1987|page=300|isbn=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=]|author1=Souness, Graeme|author2=Gallacher, Ken|authorlink1=Graeme Souness|year=1989|page=17|isbn=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 ], "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 ] 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=]|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=]|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 ] 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=]|publisher=]|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=]|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=]|publisher=]|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"}} ], 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=]|publisher=]|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=]|work=]|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 ] on 27 May 1899, forming The Rangers Football Club Ltd.<ref name="RFC 2012 PLC" /> It continued in this form until, in 2000, ] decided to list the company on the ], 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, ] 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 ] 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 ] and ] 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=]|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 ] concerning a disputed tax bill in relation to an ] 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=]|format=pdf|accessdate=27 November 2012|quote=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6SDHIpx|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> On 4 February 2013, HMRC lodged an appeal of the FFT decision and a further hearing will be carried out by a Second Tier Tribunal.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-21326039 | work=BBC News | title=HMRC launches appeal against Rangers tax case ruling | date=4 February 2013}}</ref> | |||
| On 25 June 2012, the ] asked ] 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 the club for £8.5 million if a proposed ] was agreed or to purchase its business and assets for a £5.5million if the proposed CVA were to be rejected.<ref> www.dailymail.co.uk, 13 June 2012</ref> 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=]|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 ] 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=]|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 ] firm ] 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 ], ] 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' "]s, business and ]" 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 ], 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> 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 but on 4 July, voted by 10–1 to reject the application. ] abstained and the old Rangers company voted in favour.<ref name="Newco refused spl admission" /> 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, ] for the 2012–13 season, rather than the ] 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 ] 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"/> | |||
| 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> londonstockexchange.com, accessed 27 January 2013</ref> | |||
| ==Rangers Charity Foundation== | |||
| The Rangers ] was created in 2002 and participates in a wide range of ], regularly involving Rangers staff and star players. The foundation also has partnerships with ], The Prostate Cancer Charity and ], and is responsible for over £2.3 million in donations. As well as ], the Rangers Charity Foundation regularly bring ], ] 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=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 ], 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 ] | |||
| 118,567 vs ], 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=]|isbn=0755362322|pages=758–759|date=4 August 2011|accessdate=19 August 2012}}</ref> | |||
| ;World record fourth tier Attendance | |||
| 50,048 vs ], 4 May 2013<ref name="World record fourth tier attendance" /><ref name="Rangers beat there own 4th tier world record" /><ref name="Rangers beat their record again" /> | |||
| ;Highest European Attendance | |||
| 100,000 vs ], 16 September 1987<ref name="Highest European Attendance">{{cite book|title=Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player|publisher=]|author=Ferrier, Bob and McElroy, Robert|authorlink=]|year=1990|isbn=1-85223-404-0}}</ref> | |||
| {{col-2}} | |||
| ;Highest scoring match | |||
| 14–2 vs Whitehill, 29 September 1883 <ref name="fitbastats.com"></ref> | |||
| 14–2 vs ], 20 January 1934<ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" /><ref name="fitbastats.com"/> | |||
| ;Record league victory | |||
| 10–0 vs ], 24 December 1898<ref name="Founded 1872" /><ref name="Rangers the complete record" /><ref name="fitbastats.com"/> | |||
| 10–2 vs ], 16 December 1967<ref name="fitbastats.com"/> | |||
| ;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=]|work=rssf.com|accessdate=18 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0iGhBuR|archivedate=18 August 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| ;World record trophies won | |||
| 117<ref name="World record number of trophies">{{cite web|url=http://www.last.fm/group/Rangers+F.C.|title=Rangers F.C|publisher=]|work=]|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 | |||
| ], 755<!-- 857 includes Glasgow Cup etc matches that are not included in the current players stats--> appearances 1960–1978.<ref></ref> | |||
| ; Record goalscorer | |||
| ], 355 goals 1983–1998.<ref name="rangers.co.uk"></ref> | |||
| {{col-2}} | |||
| ; Most league goals | |||
| ], 251 goals.<ref name="rangers.co.uk"/> | |||
| ; Most Scotland caps whilst playing at Rangers | |||
| ], 61 caps.<ref name="rangers.co.uk"/><ref></ref> | |||
| {{Col-end}} | |||
| ==Players== | |||
| ===First team squad=== | |||
| ''As of 16 July 2014''<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 SPFL rules permit squad numbers for Premiership and Championship teams, when adding players first order them by position, going from GK, DF, MF, FW then order by second name --> | |||
| {{Fs start}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=1|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=2|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=3|nat=TUN|pos=DF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=4|nat=CAN|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=5|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=]|other=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=6|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=]|other=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=8|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=9|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=10|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=11|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=12|nat=HON|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=14|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=15|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=16|nat=FRA|pos=DF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs mid}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=18|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=]}} | |||
| {{fs player|no=19|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=20|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=21|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=22|nat=NIR|pos=FW|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=23|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=24|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=26|nat=LTU|pos=DF|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=30|nat=SCO|pos=FW|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=31|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=]}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=34|nat=SCO|pos=MF|name=Andy Murdoch}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=35|nat=SCO|pos=GK|name=Liam Kelly}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=37|nat=CAN|pos=DF|name=Luca Gasparotto}} | |||
| {{Fs player|no=38|nat=SCO|pos=DF|name=Craig Halkett}} | |||
| {{Fs end}} | |||
| ===Out on loan=== | |||
| {{fs start}} | |||
| {{fs end}} | |||
| ==Boards of directors of Rangers International Football Club plc and The Rangers Football Club Ltd== | |||
| As of April 2014, the directors of the two companies are the same except for Sandy Easdale, who only sits on the club board and not the plc.<ref> www.heraldscotland.com, 11 April 2014</ref> | |||
| ===Board of Rangers International Football Club plc=== | |||
| ''As of 8 August 2014''<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 | |||
| |] | |||
| |- | |||
| |Chief Executive Officer | |||
| |Graham Wallace | |||
| |- | |||
| |Chief Operating Officer | |||
| | Philip Nash | |||
| |- | |||
| |Non-Executive Director | |||
| |James Easdale | |||
| |- | |||
| |Non-Executive Director | |||
| |Norman Crighton | |||
| |} | |||
| ===Board of The Rangers Football Club Ltd=== | |||
| ''As of 24 January 2014'' | |||
| {| class="wikitable" | |||
| |- | |||
| | '''Position''' | |||
| | '''Name''' | |||
| |- | |||
| | Chairman | |||
| | Sandy Easdale<ref name="bbc.co.uk"/> | |||
| |- | |||
| | Non-Executive Director | |||
| | James Easdale | |||
| |} | |||
| ==Backroom staff== | |||
| ''As of 7 December 2013''<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=June 2013|accessdate=25 June 2013|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6A0g0lBpZ|archivedate=25 June 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> | |||
| {| class="wikitable" | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Position | |||
| ! Name | |||
| |- | |||
| |Manager | |||
| |] | |||
| |- | |||
| |Assistant Manager | |||
| |] | |||
| |- | |||
| |First Team Coach | |||
| |] | |||
| |- | |||
| |Goalkeeping Coach | |||
| |] | |||
| |- | |||
| |Head of Sports Science | |||
| |Jim Henry | |||
| |- | |||
| |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> | |||
| |- | |||
| |Physiotherapist | |||
| |Steve Walker | |||
| |- | |||
| |Doctor | |||
| |Dr Paul Jackson | |||
| |- | |||
| |Kit Controller | |||
| |Jimmy Bell | |||
| |- | |||
| |Video Analysis | |||
| |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 142-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 ] 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. ] 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 June 2014''<ref name="Rangers honours" /> | |||
| ===Domestic honours=== | |||
| * ''']: 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, ], 1992, 1993, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" /> | |||
| *''']: 1''' | |||
| :: ] | |||
| *''']: 1''' | |||
| :: ] | |||
| * ''']: 33''' | |||
| :: 1894, 1897, 1898, 1903, 1928, 1930, 1932, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1953, 1960, ], 1963, 1964, 1966, ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ]<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" /> | |||
| * ''']: 27''' | |||
| :: 1947, 1949, 1961, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997, 1999, ], ], ], ], ], ]<ref name="Rangers honours" /><ref name="records" /><ref name="records 2" /> | |||
| * ''']''' | |||
| :: 1979<ref name="Rangers honours" /> | |||
| ===European honours=== | |||
| {{Main|Rangers F.C. in European football}} | |||
| * ''']:''' | |||
| ** '''Winners (1):''' ] | |||
| ** ''Runners-up (2):'' ],] | |||
| * ''']:''' | |||
| ** ''Runners-up:'' ] | |||
| ===Doubles and trebles=== | |||
| *Scottish Cup, League Cup, League Title: '''7''' | |||
| ::], 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: '''11''' | |||
| ::1927–28, 1929–30, 1933–34, 1934–35, 1949–50, 1952–53, 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 UEFA-sanctioned European final in 1961.<ref>http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/history/club-history/item/328-a-classic-team</ref> | |||
| ==UEFA rankings== | |||
| ===Club coefficient=== | |||
| {{see also|UEFA coefficient}} | |||
| {{updated| 17 July 2014}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/uefarankings/club/index.html |title=UEFA coefficients |work=].com |publisher=] |date= 17 July 2014}}</ref> | |||
| {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Rank !! Country !! Team !! Points | |||
| |- | |||
| |92||align=left|{{flagicon|GRE}}||]|| 16.800 | |||
| |- | |||
| |93||align=left|{{flagicon|ITA}}||]|| 16.568 | |||
| |- | |||
| |94||align=left|{{flagicon|ISR}}||]|| 16.425 | |||
| |- | |||
| |'''95'''||align=left|{{flagicon|SCO}}||'''Rangers'''|| '''16.280''' | |||
| |- | |||
| |96||align=left|{{flagicon|POR}}||]|| 16.226 | |||
| |- | |||
| |97||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}}||]|| 15.566 | |||
| |- | |||
| |98||align=left|{{flagicon|POL}}||]|| 15.350 | |||
| |- | |||
| |} | |||
| ==Notable former players== | |||
| {| table class="infobox" width="200px" | |||
| |- | |||
| |<div style="position: relative;"> | |||
| ] | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.24|y=0.09|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.06|y=0.23|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.17|y=0.18|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.31|y=0.18|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.43|y=0.23|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.05|y=0.48|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.11|y=0.40|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.34|y=0.40|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.41|y=0.48|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.11|y=0.60|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| {{Image label|x=0.33|y=0.60|scale=350|text=<span style="font-size:120%;">]</span>}} | |||
| </div> | |||
| |- | |||
| | <small><center>The "Greatest Ever" Rangers 11 chosen by fans, in 1999. The coach chosen was ].{{#tag:ref|Choices were limited to post World War II era players only.|group="n"}}<ref>{{cite web | title = Rangers Greatest 11 | accessdate =20 January 2013 | year = 2011 | publisher = The official Rangers FC Website | url = http://www.rangerspics.com/rangers_greatest_11_pin_badge_framed_set/print/5372821.html}}</ref></small></center> | |||
| |} | |||
| {{Main|List of Rangers F.C. players}} | |||
| {{see also|List of Rangers F.C. international footballers|Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame}} | |||
| ===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, ] and ] respectively). When the ballot was launched ] stated it would be limited to post Second World War players because "few can recall players of these earlier eras":<ref> The Free Library, 1999</ref> | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] | |||
| * {{Flagicon|England}} ] | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] – Voted greatest ever Ranger | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Denmark}} ] – Voted Rangers' greatest ever foreign player | |||
| * {{Flagicon|England}} ] | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] – Voted third greatest ever Ranger | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] | |||
| * {{Flagicon|Scotland}} ] – Voted second greatest ever Ranger | |||
| * {{Flagicon|England}} ] | |||
| ===Scotland Football Hall of Fame=== | |||
| To 2012, 25 players and managers to have been involved with Rangers in their careers, have entered the ]:<ref> Scottish Football Museum</ref> | |||
| {{col-begin}} | |||
| {{col-5}} | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| {{col-5}} | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| {{col-5}} | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| {{col-5}} | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| {{col-5}} | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| {{col-end}} | |||
| ===Scotland Roll of Honour=== | |||
| The ] recognises players who have gained 50 or more international caps for Scotland. The 8 inductees to have won caps while playing for Rangers are:<ref name=SFARoll>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_football_players.cfm?page=138 |publisher=Scottish Football Association|accessdate=20 January 2013|title=International Roll of Honour}}</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ===Scottish Sports Hall of Fame=== | |||
| In the ], 3 Rangers players have been selected, they are:<ref> Scottish Sports</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==Sponsors== | |||
| As of 7 November 2013, Rangers are sponsored by:<ref> Rangers FC</ref> | |||
| * Official Club Sponsor – ] | |||
| * Official Kit Manufacturer – ] | |||
| * Official Soft Drink – ] | |||
| * Official Retail Partner – ] | |||
| * Official Logistics Partner – M & H Logistics (] Company) | |||
| * Official Retail Betting Partner – ] | |||
| * Official Sports Drink – ] | |||
| * Official Electronic Cigarette Partner – E-Lites (] Company) | |||
| * Official Suit Supplier – Cruise Fashion (Clothing Brand) | |||
| * Official Vehicle Supplier – Marbill (Bus Hire) | |||
| * Official Vehicle Supplier – Bruce's Corporate (Bus Hire) | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| {{col-begin}} | |||
| {{col-2}} | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| {{col-2}} | |||
| {{Misplaced Pages books}} | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] | |||
| *] (25th in 2009) | |||
| {{col-end}} | |||
| ==References== | |||
| Notes; | |||
| {{Reflist|group=n}} | |||
| General; | |||
| {{reflist|30em}} | |||
| Specific; | |||
| {{Refbegin}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Glasgow, the Uneasy Peace: Religious Tension in Modern Scotland, 1819–1914|publisher=Manchester University Press ND|author=Gallagher, Tom|year=1987|isbn=9780719023965|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Xxy8AAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false|accessdate=18 August 2012}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Graeme Souness: A Manager's Diary|publisher=Mainstream Publishing|author1=Souness, Graeme|author2=Gallacher, Ken|year=1989|isbn=9781851582242}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=The Old Firm: Sectarianism, Sport and Society in Scotland|publisher=John Donald Publishers|author=Murray, William J.|year=2000|isbn=9780859765428}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player|publisher=Crowood Press|author1=Ferrier, Bob|author2=McElroy, Robert|year=1990|isbn=1-85223-404-0}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Glasgow Rangers: Player by Player|publisher=Crowood Press|author1=Ferrier, Bob|author2=McElroy, Robert|year=1998|isbn=0-600-59495-5}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Rangers: The Complete Record|publisher=Breedon Books|author1=Ferrier, Bob|author2=McElroy, Robert|year=2005|isbn=1-85983-481-7}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=For Richer, for Poorer: The Murray Years|publisher=Random House|author=Smith, Paul|year=2012|isbn=9781780572826|url=http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=kH8jMcBSqUIC&pg=PT84&lpg=PT83&ots=f9posqgFx5&dq=rangers+player+graduated+from+murray+park|accessdate=4 January 2013}} | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| {{Refbegin}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Scottish Football Clubs Statistics|publisher=General Books LLC|author=General Books LLC|year=2010|isbn=9781156866054}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Football Against the Enemy|publisher=Orion|author=Kuper, Simon|isbn=0-7528-4877-1}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Football: A Sociology of the Global Game|publisher=John Wiley & Sons|author=Giulianotti, Richard|year=1999|isbn=9780745617695}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Fear and loathing in world football|publisher=Berg Publishers|author1=Armstrong, Gary|author2=Giulianotti, Richard|year=2001|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}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=The Encyclopedia of Scottish Football|author1=Potter, David|author2=Jones, Phil|year=2011|publisher=Pitch Publishing|isbn=1908051108|accessdate=19 August 2012}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–12|author1=Rollin, Glenda|author2=Rollin, Jack|publisher=Headline|isbn=0755362322|date=4 August 2011|accessdate=19 August 2012}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=Great Sporting Rivals (Large Print 16pt)|publisher=ReadHowYouWant.com|author=Romanos, Joseph|year=2010|isbn=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}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=End to End Stuff|publisher=Random House|author=Scott, Les|year=2008|isbn=9780593060681|url=http://books.google.com/?id=cqhm26eVPYMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=end+to+end+stuff#v=onepage&q=end%20to%20end%20stuff&f=false|accessdate=24 August 2012}} | |||
| *{{cite book|title=News of the World Football Annual 2006/2007|publisher=HarperCollins UK|author=Barnes, Stuart|year=2010|isbn=9780007234233|url=http://books.google.com/?id=6E3PDBauGkEC&pg=PA404&lpg=PA404&dq=rangers+win+scottish+cup+in+1975#v=onepage&q=rangers%20win%20scottish%20cup%20in%201975&f=false|accessdate=20 December 2012}} | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| {{Commons category|Rangers F.C.}} | |||
| ;Official | |||
| {{Refbegin}} | |||
| *{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/|title=Official website|work=Rangers.co.uk|accessdate=25 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6xzksGS|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}} | |||
| *{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfootballleague.com/club/rangers/|title=Rangers|publisher=Scottish Football League|date=August 2012|accessdate=26 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6y6xvco|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}} | |||
| *{{cite web|url=http://www.scotprem.com/content/default.asp?page=s13_2|title=Rangers Football Club: Team Profile|publisher=Scottish Premier League|date=May 2012|accessdate=26 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6yChqtr|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}} | |||
| *{{cite web|url=http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/club=31067/index.html|title=Rangers |publisher=FIFA|work=FIFA.com|year=2011|accessdate=26 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6yGWWtr|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}} | |||
| *{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/teamsandplayers/teams/club=50121/profile/index.html|title=Rangers FC|publisher=UEFA|date=31 December 2010|accessdate=24 September 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6yKxjPa|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}} | |||
| *{{cite news|url=http://www.rangerssupporterstrust.co.uk|title=Rangers Supporters Trust|work=Rangers Supporters Trust|accessdate=26 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6yQ87IP|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}} | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| ;News | |||
| {{Refbegin}} | |||
| {{BBC football info|/r/rangers}} | |||
| *{{cite news|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/teams/rangers|title=Rangers|work=Sky Sports|accessdate=26 August 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6D6ySntAM|archivedate=22 December 2012|deadurl=no}} | |||
| {{Refend}} | |||
| {{Rangers F.C.|state=uncollapsed}} | |||
| {{Rangers F.C. seasons}} | |||
| {{Scottish Championship}} | |||
| {{Scottish Premier League}} | |||
| {{ECA}} | |||
| {{UEFA Cup Winners' Cup winners}} | |||
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| {{Link FA|it}} | |||
| {{Link GA|pl}} | |||
Revision as of 15:14, 10 August 2014
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Rangers Football Club is a Scottish football club based in Glasgow, which plays in the Scottish Championship – the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League. Their home ground is Ibrox Stadium in the south-west of the city.
In domestic football, Rangers are a new club with no success of any kind in Scotland's top league.