Davie knew he was no Wee Blue Devil – but he always had a go
On March 17, 1962, Davie Wilson scored six times in Rangers’ 7-1 league win at Brockville, a record-equalling feat for the club that has yet to be surpassed.
For the legendary winger, who passed away last week at the age of 85, it was the start of a week which remained a major personal highlight in a career which brought nine domestic medals and 22 Scotland caps.
It began with two points and a double hattrick for his beloved club, and ended with revenge over the Auld Enemy.
Wilson recalled at the time: “Injuries had caused manager, Scot Symon, to make changes for the Falkirk game, and I was asked to ‘have a go’ in the middle. Well, I did.
“I could actually have scored seven, but one was ruled out for offside.
“Then the following Wednesday, I was back in my left-wing spot for the Scottish League XI against the Football League at Villa Park.
“I scored a hat-trick in our 4-3 win, with our winning goal coming in the last minute. My team-mate at The Rangers, Ralphie Brand, got the other one.
“That delighted me as I had been in the Scotland team that had been humiliated 9-3 by England at Wembley less than a year earlier.
“Jimmy Armfield, the
Blackpool right-back, was in England’s side, and we’d had quite a tussle.
“He also played in that Inter-league match– but this time I had the better of him.”
Less than a month later, Armfield must have been getting sick of the sight of Wilson’s shock of blond hair as he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win over England, the first at Hampden since 1937.
That was one of Wilson’s 10 goals in 22 Scotland appearances, a return from a wide man Steve Clarke must crave.
As the No. 11, he was the last – but often the first – name on Symon’s teamsheet in the line-up many regard as the greatest in the club’s 150-year history. His departure for Dundee United in 1967 after 11 years at Ibrox was viewed to be too soon by hordes of the Light Blue legions.
As humble as he was popular throughout his career, Wilson himself was quick to dampen down potential hysteria when still in his teens.
Speaking in 1962, he said: “When I arrived at Ibrox from Baillieston Juniors in 1956, I was hailed by some as another Alan Morton, ‘The Wee Blue Devil’.
“Well, that was asking too much of anyone. There was only one Alan Morton, and there will never be another.”
That may be so, but Davie Wilson had a go.