Rangers FC is one of the most successful football clubs in the history of Scottish football. The club has won more league titles and domestic trophies than any other Scottish club, and has a passionate fan base that spans the globe. But the club has also experienced its fair share of turmoil, including financial struggles, administration, and even being relegated to the fourth tier of Scottish football. This is the story of the rise and fall and rise again of Rangers FC.
The Rise
Rangers FC was founded in 1872 and quickly established itself as one of the top teams in Scotland. The club won its first Scottish league title in 1891 and would go on to dominate Scottish football in the first half of the 20th century. Rangers won 30 league titles between 1891 and 1990, as well as 53 domestic cups.
During this time, Rangers also established itself as a force in European football. The club won the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1972, beating Moscow Dynamo in the final. Rangers also reached the final of the same competition in 1961, but lost to Fiorentina.
The Fall
In the 1990s, Rangers faced increasing competition from arch-rivals Celtic, who had won their first league title in 10 years in 1988. The two teams engaged in a fierce rivalry, both on and off the pitch, and this rivalry intensified when Rangers signed Celtic’s star player, Paul Gascoigne, in 1995.
However, Rangers’ success on the pitch was overshadowed by financial problems off the pitch. The club had borrowed heavily to fund its success, and by the mid-1990s, it had amassed a debt of £52 million. This debt would eventually lead to the club being forced into administration in 2012.
During this period of financial instability, Rangers also faced allegations of institutionalized sectarianism, with many of its fans being associated with anti-Catholic sentiment. These allegations tarnished the reputation of the club and led to calls for reform.
The Rise Again
In 2012, Rangers FC was placed into administration due to its financial problems. The club was subsequently relegated to the fourth tier of Scottish football, the first time in its history that it had played at that level.
But the club refused to give up. Under the leadership of manager Ally McCoist, Rangers won the Scottish League Two title in 2013, the League One title in 2014, and the Scottish Championship title in 2016, earning promotion back to the top tier of Scottish football.
Rangers’ fortunes continued to improve under the management of Steven Gerrard, who took charge of the club in 2018. In the 2020/21 season, Rangers won their 55th Scottish league title, ending a nine-year drought.
Today, Rangers FC is once again one of the top teams in Scottish football, with a bright future ahead of it. The club’s financial problems are a thing of the past, and it is once again competing for domestic and European honours.
Conclusion
The story of Rangers FC is a tale of triumph over adversity. The club has experienced its fair share of ups and downs, but through it all, it has remained a symbol of Scottish football and a source of inspiration for its fans around the world. From its humble beginnings in 1872 to its current status as one of the top teams in Scotland, Rangers FC has demonstrated the resilience and determination that are at the heart of the beautiful game.
