10 Greatest British Rangers Players in Football History [Ranked]
Summary
- The 10 greatest British players to play for Rangers have been ranked.
- Paul Gascoigne features despite only having a short stint at the club.
- Barry Ferguson and Ally McCoist also appear/
Rangers have been blessed with several top-tier players throughout their history. From Michael Laudrup to the De Boer brothers, some of the very best from European football have graced Ibrox. And who can blame them? After all, it is the home to one of the best atmospheres in Britain.
For all the overseas talent that has made their mark, though, Rangers have primarily focused on homegrown talents to lead them to success. James Tavernier is a recent example of that, but there are so many to go through throughout the years. Thankfully, we have collected a list of the 10 greatest British players to have played for the club and ranked them.
Related
10 Greatest Rangers Players in Football History [Ranked]
From Jim Baxter to Ally McCoist, here are the 10 greatest players to have represented the Gers at Ibrox.
10 Ian Durrant
1985-1998
Starting his career at Rangers, Durrant made his debut against Greenock Morton in 1985, quickly establishing himself as a key figure. By his second season, he had become an integral part of the squad, marking his Old Firm debut with a memorable goal. Durrant’s talent truly shone in consecutive Scottish League Cup finals, scoring in both the 1986 and 1987 finals, with his decisive penalty in the latter securing the victory.
Over his 14-year career at Rangers, he made nearly 250 appearances and played a crucial role in the club’s successful campaigns, including helping reach the Champions League semi-finals in 1992-93. After leaving in 1998, Durrant returned to Ibrox in 2005 as a first-team coach, continuing his long association with the club. His legacy at Rangers is defined not just by his skill, but by his leadership and contributions during one of the club’s most successful periods.
9 Paul Gascoigne
1995-1998
In terms of pure talent, Paul Gascoigne is number one on this list a thousand times over. After all, he is arguably the most naturally skillful player in English football history. However, the duration of his stint at Ibrox is what knocks him down a tad on this list.
Arriving in 1995, Gazza brought flair, creativity, and a touch of genius that lit up Scottish football. His debut season, 1995/96, was undoubtedly his finest—dominating matches, driving the team forward, and proving to be the catalyst as Rangers clinched their eighth league title in a row.
His unforgettable hat-trick against Aberdeen, capped with a breathtaking solo goal, sealed the title and stands as one of the most iconic moments in his career. While his brilliance flickered more sporadically in the seasons that followed, Gascoigne’s influence was undeniable.
8 Davie Cooper
1977-1989
Davie Cooper remains one of Scottish football’s most naturally gifted wingers, a player whose elegance and flair left a lasting impression on Rangers and the game as a whole. Joining the club from Clydebank in 1977, Cooper went on to make 376 appearances and scored 49 goals during a 12-year spell at Ibrox. He collected 13 major honours, including seven League Cups, but it was his dazzling dribbling and effortless ability to glide past defenders that truly captured the imagination of fans.
Moments of magic defined his career—from his iconic solo goal against Celtic in 1979 to his sublime free-kick versus Aberdeen in 1987. His talent earned admiration beyond Scotland, with footballing great Ruud Gullit once declaring Cooper “one of the best football players I have ever seen.” For many, Cooper was not just a footballer—he was an artist with the ball at his feet.
7 Jim Baxter
1960-1965 & 1969-1970
Jim Baxter, affectionately known as “Slim Jim,” was one of Rangers’ most elegant and influential players. Signed in 1960 for a then-record Scottish fee of £17,500, he quickly proved to be worth every penny. During his first spell at Ibrox, Baxter helped Rangers to three league titles, three Scottish Cups, and four League Cups, becoming a central figure in a side that dominated Scottish football in the early 1960s.
A masterful midfielder with incredible balance, vision, and control, Baxter particularly shone in Old Firm clashes—losing just twice in 18 appearances against Celtic. His calmness under pressure and effortless style made him a fan favourite and a nightmare for opponents. Though his second stint with Rangers from 1969 didn’t match the success of his earlier years, Baxter’s legacy from that golden era remains untouchable. He was the heartbeat of a truly great team.
Related
6 Andy Goram
1991-1998
Andy Goram is widely regarded as one of Rangers’ all-time greats, and in 2001 he was fittingly voted the club’s greatest goalkeeper. Over the course of seven memorable years at Ibrox, Goram’s incredible reflexes and commanding presence between the posts were vital in helping Rangers secure nine consecutive league titles under Walter Smith. Time and again, he rose to the occasion, especially in high-stakes matches against Celtic.
One of his most iconic moments came in 1995 with a miraculous save from Pierre van Hooijdonk—a stop so extraordinary it remains etched in Rangers folklore. Even after his time at the club, his reputation garnered such respect that he even managed a couple of games for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, who is also a ‘Gers alumni. Goram’s consistency, composure, and brilliance under pressure made him not just a key figure of that dominant era, but a legend whose legacy continues to be celebrated.
5 Barry Ferguson
1997-2003 & 2005-2009
Barry Ferguson was a homegrown talent who rose through the Rangers academy to become one of the most influential figures in the club’s modern history. Making his senior debut in the final match of the 1996/97 season, he quickly established himself as a midfield lynchpin. His leadership and quality were instrumental in Rangers’ domestic dominance, playing key roles in the treble-winning campaigns of 1998/99 and 2002/03, captaining the team in the latter.
A to Blackburn followed, but after just 18 months, Ferguson returned to Ibrox. Though his second spell didn’t hit the same heights, he still led Rangers to a UEFA Cup final in 2008 and added six more trophies to his name. He would even go on to become the club’s interim manager in 2025 as he took them past the likes of Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
4 Richard Gough
1987-1997 & 1997-1998
Richard Gough is firmly cemented as one of Rangers’ all-time greats, and one of only three players to feature in each of the club’s iconic nine-in-a-row league title triumphs. A commanding and fearless centre-back, Gough was the backbone of the Rangers defence for over a decade, known for his leadership, resilience, and sheer will to win. He often played through injuries to give his all for the badge, further earning the unwavering respect of the Ibrox faithful.
During his 11-year spell, Gough collected 18 major honours and captained the side through one of the most dominant periods in Scottish football history. After departing for the U.S. in 1997, just weeks after lifting the ninth straight league title, Gough returned later that season to support Walter Smith amid a defensive injury crisis—an act that perfectly summed up his loyalty and commitment to the club.
3 Sandy Jardine
1966-1982
Sandy Jardine stands as one of the most enduring and influential figures in Rangers history, ranking second only to John Greig in all-time appearances for the club. Over an incredible 16-year career at Ibrox, Jardine made 674 appearances, spanning three decades and five different managers—an achievement that reflects his consistency, versatility, and immense value to the team.
Equally adept in defence and midfield, Jardine played a pivotal role during a fiercely competitive era, helping Rangers secure 14 major trophies. Among his greatest achievements was lifting the 1972 Cup Winners’ Cup, a landmark moment in the club’s European history.
2 Ally McCoist
1983-1998
One of the most beloved and prolific players in Rangers history, ‘Super Ally’ McCoist scored an astonishing 355 goals in 581 competitive matches. His knack for producing unforgettable moments made him a hero among the Ibrox faithful. From his dramatic overhead kick to win the 1993 League Cup final after returning from a broken leg, to his crucial header against Leeds United in 1992 that helped Rangers reach the Champions League group stages, McCoist had a flair for the spectacular.
His final Old Firm goal in the 1998 Scottish Cup semi-final was another emotional highlight in a career full of them. A master finisher who could score from anywhere, his influence extended into coaching and management, assisting Walter Smith from 2007 to 2011 before managing the club through a defining period from 2011 to 2014. There will likely never be another striker at Rangers with quite the same charisma, consistency, or connection to the fans.
Related
Ally McCoist Named his Greatest Scottish Player in Football History
The former footballer named several all-time greats before settling on the best Scottish player ever
1 John Greig
1961-1978
The embodiment of Rangers Football Club, John Greig holds legendary status at Ibrox. Making his debut in 1961, he went on to make a record 755 appearances across 17 years, a mark of his incredible consistency, leadership, and devotion to the club. As captain, he led Rangers to three domestic trebles and was at the heart of their greatest triumph—the 1972 Cup Winners’ Cup, the club’s only major European honour.
His influence extended beyond his playing career, taking the reins as manager from 1978 to 1983, during which he secured two Scottish Cups and two League Cups. Though a league title eluded him in the dugout, his legacy remained untarnished. In 1999, he was deservedly voted the ‘Greatest Ever Ranger’, a testament to his enduring impact and the respect he commands among supporters.