We’ve assembled Scottish football’s greatest team of the modern era... bu DAY TWELVE: THE
Rangers (1972 to 1978 and 1983 to 1986) Two (1976 and 1978).
JOCK WALLACE was responsible for Rangers’ most infamous defeat – his Berwick Rangers team knocked them out of the Scottish Cup in 1967.
But he had a hand in a few of their greatest achievements too. He succeeded Willie Waddell at Ibrox after the European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in 1972, ended Celtic’s record-breaking run of nine consecutive Scottish title triumphs in 1975 and oversaw trebles in 1976 and 1978.
Brendan Rodgers and Jock Stein are the only other men to have managed a clean sweep of domestic trophies on more than one occasion.
The former King’s Own Scottish Borderer (below) was a hard taskmaster whose preseason workouts on Gullane Dunes were infamous with his players. But he was adored by his charges and they were shocked and devastated when he suddenly resigned, due to friction with the Rangers board over his budget and salary, in 1978.
Wallace returned to Ibrox in 1983 and won the League Cup twice in his second spell. But a lack of investment in the squad prevented him from landing a fourth league title. He was replaced by Graeme Souness after three years.
He remains, though, one of Rangers’ greatest and most successful modern-day managers.
Celtic (2016 to 2019) Two (2017 and 2018).
BOO! Hiss! Judas!
It’s over a year now since Brendan Rodgers sparked anger and outrage among a previously-adoring
Celtic support by leaving for Leicester City. But mention of his name in the East End of Glasgow still provokes fury.
The Northern Irishman’s
next best – and is one of the most important figures in the game in this country in the last 30 years. 1986) and 1985).
Aberdeen (1978 to
Three (1980, 1984
SCOTLAND’S greatest ever manager.
Before Alex Ferguson succeeded Billy McNeill as manager at Aberdeen in
1978 they had only won five trophies – Division One once, the League Cup twice and the Scottish Cup twice – in their 75 year history.
Since he departed to take over at Manchester United some 34 years ago in 1986 the Pittodrie club have lifted just four pieces of silverware – the League Cup three times and the Scottish Cup once.
But in the eight glorious years that “Fergie” was in the north-east the Dons claimed no fewer than 10 major honours – more than they managed in the period prior to his arrival and the time after he left combined.
Can Walter Smith say he is responsible for the majority of the success that Rangers have enjoyed since they were formed in his two spells at Ibrox?
Did Brendan Rodgers land three quarters of Celtic’s titles during his time at Parkhead?
Those are, of course, flippant questions. All the same, they