Walter Smith - The Ibrox Gaffer
Walter Smith - The Ibrox Gaffer

Author: Scott Burns

Publisher: Black & White Publishing

Published: 2011-04-26

Total Pages: 248

ISBN-13: 1845023994

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This long-deserved tribute to the legendary Walter Smith sees Rangers stars past and present uniting to honour one of the most decorated and successful managers in Scottish football. Ibrox favourites from across the decades, including heroes like Brian Laudrup, Ally McCoist, Andy Goram, Jorg Albertz, and countless others, give their own unique insight into the man they affectionately call their 'Gaffer'. Light Blue legends Davie Weir, Madjid Bougherra, Nacho Novo, Pedro Mendes and Stevie Naismith offer fans a behind the scenes look at how Smith returned for his second spell at Ibrox to deliver domestic and European success against a backdrop of financial meltdown. The one thing that they all agree is that Walter Smith is simply the best!

Fergus McCann Versus David Murray
Fergus McCann Versus David Murray

Author: Stephen O'Donnell

Publisher: eBook Partnership

Published: 2020-07-27

Total Pages: 331

ISBN-13: 1785317342

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Fergus McCann Versus David Murray charts the changing fortunes of Glasgow's two great footballing rivals as shaped by two business moguls. Both men came to prominence in the 1990s when new methods of governance and finance were taking hold of football. At the start of the decade, under Murray's chairmanship, Rangers were the dominant force and the club went on to win a record-equalling nine consecutive league titles. Their success, however, was built on an extravagant spending strategy, which caused a financial catastrophe. Celtic, by contrast, were struggling in the early 1990s, thanks to a complacent and nepotistic board of directors. But McCann took charge of the club in 1994 and turned things around. The new owner left Parkhead having won the league, rebuilt the stadium and left his shares in the hands of supporters. It was Murray, however, who was lauded in the media throughout his tenure at Ibrox, while McCann was chastised. Ultimately, though, their legacies would be utterly different from those misleading media portrayals.

Rangers FC - We Don't Do Walking Away
Rangers FC - We Don't Do Walking Away

Author: Lisa Gray

Publisher: Black & White Publishing

Published: 2013-06-12

Total Pages: 218

ISBN-13: 1845027167

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When the Scottish Football League chairmen voted on the future of Rangers Newco in July 2012, most fans didn't really expect that they would be dumped into Division Three. Many thought that hard-headed commercial realities would mean demotion to the First Division at worst. But when the decision was announced, the club had no option but to start a new football journey in the bottom tier of Scottish football. In Rangers FC - The Only Way Is Up, Lisa Gray captures the humour, the emotion and, of course, the football as the club sets out for an incredible season, visiting pastures new at Peterhead, Annan and Berwick amongst others. This is the inside story of both the team and the supporters as they adjusted to life in the Third Division - new players, new opposition and, of course, new pies. It has been an extraordinary season and this colourful account is a lasting memento of a unique season which will never be repeated.

Rangers FC On This Day
Rangers FC On This Day

Author: Paul Smith

Publisher: eBook Partnership

Published: 2012-12-18

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13: 1909178357

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Rangers On This Day recounts, in diary form, major events and magic moments in the history of the Ibrox Park club. With individual entries for each day of the year, and multiple entries for busier times, this book covers their ups and downs, domestic and European cup runs, boardroom battles, and sensational signings.

The Goalie
The Goalie

Author: Andy Goram

Publisher: Random House

Published: 2011-01-18

Total Pages: 165

ISBN-13: 190719567X

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This is the story of a genius with flaws. Lots of them. On the field, Andy Goram was a defiant figure between the sticks who, in many ways, defined the history-making nine-in-a-row team that brought so much success to Ibrox; off it, he careered through three divorces and a welter of lurid tabloid headlines sensationalising his hellraising antics. In this no-holds-barred account, Goram lifts the lid on his tempestuous life in football, from the Gers' glory days to a fairy-tale chapter with his boyhood heroes: Manchester United. His life in the Old Firm is examined in depth, from the saves that broke former Celtic manager Tommy Burns's heart to a story that was buried until now: Celtic's astonishing bid to sign him. Goram's Scotland career ended in bitterness when he walked out on the squad before France 98, and here he smashes the myths that have always surrounded his relationships with Craig Brown and Jim Leighton. This is the inside story of the man the fans voted Rangers' greatest-ever goalkeeper. He remains a genius with flaws: a legend simply known as The Goalie.

Ally McCoist - Rangers Legend
Ally McCoist - Rangers Legend

Author: Alistair Aird

Publisher: Kings Road Publishing

Published: 2011-10-27

Total Pages: 450

ISBN-13: 1843589451

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Ally McCoist is one of Scottish soccer's best-loved characters. In a two-decade career, he won the hearts and minds of legions of fans as he established himself as one of the most popular sporting personalities in the UK. A schoolboy prodigy, it was always clear that McCoist was destined for top flight soccer. At just 16 he signed his first professional contract with St. Johnstone, shooting to prominence in the 1980-81 season, scoring 22 league goals, and playing a starring role for the Scottish youth team. He was soon hot property. After two years of mixed fortunes at Sunderland, McCoist returned to Scotland and signed with his boyhood heroes, the Glasgow Rangers. Over the next fifteen years, he established himself as arguably the greatest goal-scorer ever to play for the club. He not only gave heart and soul for Rangers but was also capped 61 times for Scotland. An authoritative and affectionate portrait of this much-loved sportsman, "Ally McCoist: Rangers Legend" charts the highs and lows of a fascinating career, culminating in McCoist reaching legendary status. It also looks at the events that helped to shape his life overcoming homesickness when first playing for an English club and how he coped when his young son had to undergo several life-saving operations. Having hung up his boots, Ally's vibrant personality made him a natural for the television screen. Now, however, he has come full circle and returned "home" after a successful spell as assistant manager at his beloved Rangers, he has taken over the reins to become manager. This wonderful book is a must-read for any soccer fan, or indeed for anyone captivated by this large-than-life character."

The Official Biography of Rangers
The Official Biography of Rangers

Author: Ronnie Esplin

Publisher: Headline

Published: 2011-10-13

Total Pages: 291

ISBN-13: 0755363132

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Rangers have won 53 League Championships, more than any other club in the world. They have won the Scottish League Cup 26 times -- more than any other Scottish club -- and the Scottish Cup 33 times. In 1961 Rangers reached the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup, becoming the first British club to reach the final of a UEFA club competition. They won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, having been the runners-up in 1961 and 1967, and were runners-up in the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.

Flawed Genius
Flawed Genius

Author: Stephen McGowan

Publisher: Birlinn

Published: 2011-10-04

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 0857901516

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As Rangers manager Walter Smith once put it, Scottish football supporters have always liked their footballing superstars to come complete with very human flaws. But what is it that makes the seriously flawed footballer so intriguing? From Hugh Gallacher, the Wembley Wizard who died of shame, to George Best, Hibernian's ageing lothario, to the Three Amigos - Celtic's trio of wayward overseas mercenaries - the great entertainers have always come with baggage. Never before have the individual stories of these mavericks of Scottish football's past been collated and told in one place. Flawed Genius does just that. Through the words of the men themselves - allied to testimonies from friends and close colleagues - McGowan recounts the in-depth stories of Gascoigne and Goram, Best and Baxter, Charnley and Cadette and the equally wayward figures of Paolo Di Canio, Andy Ritchie, Pierre van Hooijdonk and Willie Hamilton. Here, together for the first time, the colourful contributions of each and every player in the Scottish game's rich tapestry of flawed geniuses are brought vividly back to life.

Silversmith
Silversmith

Author: Neil Drysdale

Publisher: Birlinn

Published: 2011-07-01

Total Pages: 391

ISBN-13: 0857900676

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Walter Smith was one of the most respected managers in British football. This insightful biography casts a reflective and analytical eye over his life and career, examining this shrewd professional through the many highs and lows that he has experienced as a player and manager. He enjoyed an illustrious career in management at Rangers, joining the Souness revolution in 1987, winning nine successive league titles, a domestic treble in the 1992-93 season and winning both the Scottish Cup and League Cup three times. In 1998, Smith accepted a position in England with Everton, where he was the manager until 2002, before being reunited with Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2004. In December of that year, Smith was appointed as Scotland manager and his effort subsequently earned him the title of 'Scot of the Year' at the prestigious Glenfiddich 'Spirit of Scotland' awards in 2006. Midway through the qualifying rounds for Euro 2008, however, and with the Scots leading their group, he controversially accepted an offer to return to Ibrox in January 2007. Upon returning to Glasgow, Smith led Rangers to the UEFA Cup Final and triumph in the Scottish Cup in 2008, a domestic League and Cup double in 2009 and another double - this time in the domestic League and League Cup - in 2010. He retired from management in 2011 and died in October 2021.

The School of Hard Knox
The School of Hard Knox

Author: Archie Knox

Publisher: Birlinn Ltd

Published: 2017-09-14

Total Pages: 259

ISBN-13: 0857909460

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The School of Hard Knox chronicles the life and career of one of the most admired and respected coaches ever to grace Scottish football, Archie Knox. After his early days at Forfar Athletic, Archie became a key ally for Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen and Manchester United. Together they won the Scottish league title, Scottish Cup and, of course, on a never to be forgotten night in Gothenburg in 1983, they led the Dons to European Cup Winners' Cup glory against the mighty Real Madrid. FA Cup success followed with United as Archie played a vital role in resurrecting the fortunes of a sleeping giant at Old Trafford. On his return to Scotland, he assisted Walter Smith – a one-time teammate at Dundee United – to historic triumphs at Rangers. They clinched Nine in a Row, won the Treble and came within 90 minutes of reaching the first-ever Champions League final. After moving to Everton, Archie also had spells with the Scotland national team as well as Motherwell and an emotional return to Aberdeen with Craig Brown. From Willie Miller and Alex McLeish, Bryan Robson and Ryan Giggs, Paul Gascoigne and Brian Laudrup, Archie has worked with some of the greatest players ever to grace British football. Through his own words and those who witnessed his wit, his work and his wisdom, this is the untold story of a remarkable career.