Rangers Football Club: Introduction

Rangers Football Club is one of the most successful and historically significant football clubs in Scotland and worldwide. Based in Glasgow, Rangers have a long-standing rivalry with Celtic, forming the famous Old Firm rivalry, one of the most intense and storied in world football.

Currently, Rangers plays football in the Scottish Premiership. Staff at the Fanbase here hope that the club does well and that the supporters experience massive success again in the near future. Below is our in-depth look at the club’s history, achievements, and culture.

Before we continue, here’s a link to the club’s official website.

Foundation and Early Years

• Founded: 1872 by four young men: Moses McNeil, Peter McNeil, William McBeath, and Peter Campbell. This makes Rangers one of the oldest in the UK.
• Rangers played their first-ever match against Callander FC in May 1872.
• By 1873, the club was formally established, and they joined the Scottish Football Association, eventually becoming one of the founding members of the Scottish Football League in 1890.

Rangers Football Club: Ibrox Stadium

• Location: Ibrox, Glasgow.
• Capacity: 50,817.
• Ibrox Stadium has been Rangers’ home since 1899. It’s one of the most famous stadiums in European football, known for its electric atmosphere, particularly during Old Firm derbies.
• Ibrox underwent significant redevelopment in the late 1970s and 1980s to become an all-seater stadium. The Main Stand, a listed building designed by Archibald Leitch, is an iconic feature of the stadium.
• With a capacity of just over 50,000, the atmosphere is second to none when in full flow. The Rangers supporters deserve every respect.

Club Colours and Crest

• Rangers’ traditional colours are royal blue, white, and red. The home kit typically features a blue jersey, white shorts, and black socks with red tops.
• The club’s crest includes the famous “RFC” intertwined letters and, in some iterations, a lion rampant symbol, representing strength and Scotland’s royal heritage.
• Nicknamed The Gers, The Teddy Bears, and The Light Blues, Rangers fans are known as the Rangers Support.

Rangers Football Club: Achievements and Honours

Rangers is one of the most decorated football clubs in the world, particularly noted for its success in Scottish football. Below are some of their key achievements:

1. Scottish League Championships:
   • Rangers hold the record for the most Scottish top-flight titles, having won the Scottish Premiership 55 times (as of 2021).
   • Their dominance in domestic league competitions is unparalleled in Scottish football, and in 2021, they ended Celtic’s nine-year title-winning streak by clinching their 55th championship.
2. Scottish Cups:
   • Rangers have won the Scottish Cup 34 times, second only to Celtic.
   • Their Scottish Cup victories are a testament to their consistent domestic success over more than a century.
3. Scottish League Cups:
   • Rangers have also lifted the Scottish League Cup 27 times, another record in Scottish football.
4. European Success:
   • UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup: Rangers’ most notable European triumph came in 1972 when they won the European Cup Winners’ Cup by defeating Dynamo Moscow 3-2 in Barcelona. This remains their only major European title.
   • European Finals: Rangers reached the UEFA Cup Final (now Europa League) in 2008, where Zenit Saint Petersburg beat them. In 2022, they made it to the Europa League Final, losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in a penalty shootout.

Best Football Team in Scotland

Up to 2017, Rangers have won more league titles and trebles than any other football club in the world. Indeed, they have won the top Scottish league 54 times. They have also won the Scottish Cup 33 times and the Scottish League Cup 27 times.

With a host of minor honours and their European showings, Rangers have been the guiding star in UK football. Their trophy cabinet is overflowing with silverware.

Do all these honours make Rangers the greatest club in the world? Tell us at the Fanbase. Indeed, Rangers are the most popular Scottish football team. It’s not surprising then that the club has won so much over the years.

Rangers Football Club: Rivalry With Celtic: The Old Firm

• Rangers’ rivalry with Celtic FC is one of the most famous and heated rivalries in world football. The matches between these two Glasgow giants have the name Old Firm Derbies.
• The rivalry is not only rooted in football but also in the cultural, religious, and political identities of the clubs and their fan bases. Rangers traditionally represent the Protestant, Unionist, and British identities, while Celtic has historically been associated with Catholic, Irish, and Republican communities.
• The Old Firm games are fiercely contested and have produced some of the most intense atmospheres in global football, often influencing the outcome of Scottish football seasons.
• Rangers also have a bit of rivalry with Aberdeen, too, but this is minor in comparison to their closest neighbour.

Supporters and Fan Culture

• Rangers have an immense and passionate fan base, not only in Scotland but also across the globe, particularly in Northern Ireland, Canada, and parts of the United States and Australia.
• The club’s followers are famous for their unwavering loyalty, filling Ibrox Stadium for home games and traveling in large numbers for away fixtures, both domestically and in European competitions.
• Union Bears is one of the most prominent supporters’ groups, often leading the fan choreography and displays at matches.
• Rangers fans are also famous for their rendition of “Follow Follow,” a famous Rangers anthem, among other traditional songs and chants.

Financial Challenges and Recovery

• In 2012, Rangers faced significant financial turmoil, leading to the club entering administration and later being liquidated. The club’s assets were transferred to a new company, but this resulted in Rangers being demoted to the fourth tier of Scottish football (the Scottish Third Division).
• Over the next several years, Rangers successfully worked their way back up the divisions, achieving consecutive promotions until they returned to the Scottish Premiership in 2016.
• The financial collapse and subsequent rebuild was one of the most dramatic periods in the club’s history, but it ultimately strengthened the bond between the fans and the team.

Hopefully, this sort of thing will never happen again because seeing a football club fall from grace is painful.

Rangers Football Club: Return to Dominance

• Steven Gerrard, appointed as manager in 2018, played a key role in returning Rangers to domestic and European prominence.
• In 2021, Gerrard led Rangers to their 55th league title, finishing the season unbeaten in the league and ending Celtic’s bid for 10 consecutive titles.
• This resurgence saw Rangers re-establish themselves as a force in both Scottish and European football.

Key Figures in Rangers History

• Bill Struth: Managed the club for 34 years (1920–1954) and is widely regarded as one of Scotland’s greatest-ever managers, winning 18 league titles.
• John Greig: Voted as Rangers’ greatest-ever player in 1999, Greig is a club legend who spent his entire playing career with the Gers.
• Walter Smith: One of Rangers’ most successful managers, Smith won 10 league titles in two stints as manager (1991–1998 and 2007–2011), alongside multiple domestic cups.
• Ally McCoist: Rangers’ all-time top goal scorer, McCoist became a club legend both as a player and later as a manager.

Rangers Football Club in Europe

• Rangers have consistently been a competitive side in European competitions, with several deep runs in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
• The club has maintained a strong reputation for passionate away support, with Rangers fans traveling in massive numbers to European games.

Ownership and Finances

• In recent years, Rangers have enjoyed greater financial stability compared to the 2012 crisis.
• Douglas Park serves as the club’s chairman, and significant investment has been made to ensure Rangers’ competitiveness in the Scottish Premiership and European tournaments.

Notable Recent Achievements

• 55th Scottish Premiership Title (2020-2021): This unbeaten campaign was not only significant in ending Celtic’s dominance but also marked a historic chapter in the club’s history.
• Europa League 2021-22 Finalist: Rangers made a remarkable run to the final, showcasing their resurgence in European competition.

Community and Charity

• The Rangers Charity Foundation engages in various charitable initiatives and community outreach programs, supporting causes related to health, education, and social inclusion.
• The foundation is involved in raising funds and awareness for both local and international charitable efforts.

Rangers Football Club: In Conclusion

Rangers Football Club has had a remarkable journey, from their historic successes, European triumphs, and Old Firm battles to their financial crisis and eventual recovery. Their 55 domestic league titles underscore their status as one of the world’s most successful football clubs.

Today, Rangers are once again a dominant force in Scottish football, with a passionate fan base, a strong team, and ambitions to continue their legacy on both the domestic and European stages.

Promote Rangers Football Club

This is not about The Gers marching up the leagues after an insolvency case; it’s about publicity! We are fully aware that the greatest team on earth, as some would say, doesn’t need publicity.

However, without input from the supporters on our network, it would be like them falling away from grace again. Therefore, if you support Rangers FC, make sure you have your say at the Football Fan Base.

Rangers are one of the most famous teams ever, as you can see. So, join the football forum and have a little banter with other football supporters. After all, Rangers is the best football club on earth, isn’t it?

**Information updated on September 9, 2024.