By David Herd
Random events in Rangers history that happened in this corresponding week. Here are some memorable moments that happened between September 05 and September 11.
September 05 1970 – Willie Johnston scored both goals in a routine 2-0 home win over Falkirk. The game is best remembered for an incident in the 52nd minute, when the referee sent off both Rangers captain John Greig and his former Ibrox teammate Alex Ferguson for fighting. This does not seem to have had any impact on the two famous protagonists, who are still close friends to this day.
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September 06 1935 – Jock Wallace is born in Wallyford. The player-manager of Berwick Rangers who inflicted the worst Scottish Cup result on Rangers in their history, he would eventually join the club he supported all his life in 1970. He was first team coach when Rangers won the European Cup-Winners’ Cup in Barcelona in 1972, before becoming manager a few weeks later. The only Rangers manager to win the treble twice, and the first man to manage the club on two occasions, Wallace would win 10 domestic trophies and become one of the most popular figures in club history.
September 07 1946 – the first official league fixture between the Old Firm for over seven years takes place at Parkhead. Only 28,000 attend as the fans of both clubs organised a boycott of the match due to increased admission prices. Those who do go along see Bill Struth’s Rangers win 3-2 despite being without several regulars. The goals were scored by Jimmy Duncanson (2) and Jimmy Parlane (the father of 1970s idol Derek).
September 08 1990 – Rangers take on Hearts at Tynecastle with a forward line that includes Ally McCoist, Mo Johnston and recent signing Mark Hateley. The visitors coast to an impressive 3-1 win, with McCoist scoring twice. The other was scored by another summer arrival, Dutch winger Pieter Huistra, his first competitive goal for Rangers.
September 09 2006 – an already under-fire Paul Le Guen enjoys a comfortable 4-0 win for his Rangers side against visitors Falkirk at Ibrox. Manchester United loanee Phil Bardsley opens the scoring with a fine free kick, with the scoreline completed by goals by Dado Prso, Kris Boyd and Thomas Buffel. The match took place as Rangers marked the upcoming 50th anniversary of the death of iconic manager William Struth. A bronze bust of the great man was unveiled at half-time, and the club announced that the main stand would be renamed the Bill Struth Main Stand in his memory.
September 10 1977 – Rangers face Celtic at Ibrox in the first Old Firm clash of the season, in a game very much of two halves. By half-time, Celtic were leading 2-0 through two Edvaldsson goals, and Rangers centre forward Derek Parlane had suffered a broken jaw. Manager Jock Wallace reshuffled his side for the second half, bringing on John Greig and pushing Derek Johnstone up front to replace Parlane. In an incredible 45 minutes, Celtic were simply overwhelmed, as Rangers roared back to claim an unforgettable 3-2 victory. Johnstone scored the equaliser, in between two goals by summer signing Gordon Smith.
September 11 1942 – John Greig is born in Edinburgh. The man voted by the Rangers support in 1999 as the Greatest Ranger, he played for no other senior club in a 17-year career in the Rangers first team, then became manager of the club in 1978. As a player, he holds the official club record for appearances, is the only captain to lift a European trophy, and the only player to win the treble three times. He also scored 120 goals for the club (with only 9 of them penalties), and was captain for 13 years. A leader in the best of times, and in the darkest of days, John Greig will forever be regarded as one of the true giants of both Rangers FC and of Scottish football.
