Five of Rangers’ biggest title wins
IT is a matter of when, not if, for Rangers now. The red, white and blue ribbons can be tied to the trophy and Rangers’ name can be engraved for the first time in a decade.
Here, we look back at five other famous title wins. Each was hugely significant at the time, but none will match the 55 celebrations this term.
1 Rangers stop Nine-In-A-Row 1974/75
Jock Wallace took his side to Hibernian needing a point to win the title. That was what they got as Colin Stein earned the Gers their first championship since 1964 and sparked wild celebrations at Easter Road.
Rangers were unable to defend their crown in season 64/65 as Kilmarnock enjoyed their finest hour and the years that followed were barren at Ibrox. In the era of the Lisbon Lions, Rangers found domestic success hard to come by, but Jock Stein’s run ended at nine league flags.
The Govan side had, of course, enjoyed their own European glory in Barcelona but this title triumph was the foundation for Wallace as he would win two Trebles in three seasons and secure his place amongst legendary Ibrox bosses.
2 Souness’s first title win 86/87
The revolution yielded immediate success and Rangers, and Scottish football, would never be the same again as Graeme Souness won the title in a whirlwind of money and headlines.
A red card on his debut as Rangers lost to Hibernian was an auspicious start but the championship was secured with a draw at Pittodrie on the penultimate day of the season as a Terry Butcher goal and the final whistle prompted a pitch invasion.
Hamilton were shock winners in the Scottish Cup at Ibrox but victory over Celtic in the League Cup final helped Rangers on their way to title glory. It
was their first since 1978 as supporters savoured the signings and the success under Souness.
3 Rangers win Nine-In-A-Row 96/97
The night the history books were rewritten and legends were made as Walter Smith finished what Souness had started and Rangers clinched their ninth successive league crown.
A 1-0 victory over Dundee United – courtesy of that famous Brian Laudrup header – won it for the Gers just days after their planned party had been cancelled thanks to Motherwell.
The League Cup had been won in November as Ally McCoist and Paul Gascoigne both netted twice against Hearts but it was the title that really mattered that term as Rangers revelled in one of the greatest periods in their history.
4 Last-day drama v Dunfermline 2002/03
A remarkable campaign that saw Alex McLeish win the Treble and Rangers clinch the SPL title with the final kick of the season thanks to a Mikel Arteta penalty.
Celtic and Dundee were beaten at Hampden in the respective cup competitions, but this term was all about the drama and the joy in the top flight as a 6-1 win over Dunfermline secured the silverware on goal difference.
The league flag would fly over Ibrox for a 50th time and an emotional rollercoaster of a season and a final day still holds a unique place in the affections of supporters.
5 Helicopter Sunday 2004/05
Just when you thought title wins couldn’t get any more dramatic, along came the day when the helicopter changed direction and Celtic hearts were broken at Fir Park.
The League Cup looked like being McLeish’s only silverware going into the final day but a Nacho Novo strike gave Rangers hope.
Two from Scott McDonald gave them the title as Motherwell completed a stunning comeback to beat Celtic.
Scottish football has never witnessed a more dramatic finale to a campaign and Easter Road was the scene of another party as the Light Blues kept believing and were rewarded with a famous title triumph.