Founded in 1872, Rangers are one of the oldest football clubs in Scotland. This is why it only stands to reason that they have enjoyed a long and diverse history. Still, we need to remember that some of the most popular names within the sport itself donned a Rangers jersey at one time or another. Let’s take a look at five stellar players as well as what talents each one brought to the pitch.

Ally McCoist

It actually makes a great deal of sense to mention Ally McCoist, as his management position was a fair reward for the prowess he exhibited while on the pitch. McCoist was a Ranger for a total of 15 years and during this tenure, he racked up an impressive 350 goals. A additional ten championship medals further cemented the fact that McCoist was indeed a force to be reckoned with. Many feel that the team would not be where it is today without his influence.

Jim Baxter

There were many players who stood out during the 1960s and Jim Baxter is still considered to be one of the top Scottish footballers in history. Baxter won no fewer than ten trophies during his five years with the Rangers. At the time, he was paid the stellar sum of £17,500 pounds; a record-setting amount. There is also a rather tragic side to this story, as drink and gambling would eventually force him to retire at the age of 31.

Richard Gough

Touted as the first Rangers player to earn over £1 million pounds, Richard Gough is another personality who made his presence known while on the pitch. Gough was captain during one of the most prolific periods in Rangers’ history; leading the team to nine consecutive titles. He also played over 300 games while with the team, so his influence cannot be denied.

Barry Ferguson

Ferguson actually enjoyed two spells with the Rangers during the latter half of the 1990s and again in the early 2000s. He is also famous for becoming captain at the age of only 22. Ferguson has made 82 appearances for Rangers during European competitions and he is still the current record holder in this respect.

John Greig

John Greig is still thought to be the best Rangers player of all time. He is to football what legendary personalities such as Bryce Carlson are to blackjack in terms of his overall influence. Greig enjoyed 755 appearances on the pitch during his tenure and he scored an unbelievable 120 goals. He was also present when the Rangers famously garnered the European Cup Winners Cup in 1972 against Barcelona.

Of course, there are many other Rangers players who have made their mark over the years. The reason we have chosen these five arises from the influence they had upon the team itself. Now that we are dealing with a younger generation of enthusiasts, it will be very interesting to see what direction the Rangers will take as well as the other personalities who will make their way into the history books.