In the history of (arguably, if you’re a Celtic supporter) Scotland’s most successful club, one of the most famous Ranger’s sides is that of the immediate post-war era. When the Scottish Football league resumed in 1946, a new competition was added to the season – the Scottish League Cup. This cup was devised to provide a competition only for professional Scottish clubs, as opposed to the pre-existing Scottish FA Cup which was open to anyone and everyone. Rangers at this time were renowned for their formidable “Iron Curtain” defence, in which three defenders would mark the two opposing wingers and centre forward, while wing-halves sorted out the other teams inside forwards. This formed the defensive line in a 3-2-5 formation, with goalkeeper Bobby Brown being protected by full-backs George Young and Jock Shaw, centre-half Willie Woodburn and Ian McColl and Sammy Cox as the inside forward.

 

Since 1924, the man at the helm of Rangers was Bill Struth, who led the club as manager for no less than 34 years. Under him, Rangers won the first of the Scottish League Cup finals against Aberdeen 4-0 before picking up where they left off before the war by winning the first post conflict Scottish Championship. It was as if nothing ever happened. Next, Rangers earned themselves the Scottish FA Cup trophy with a 1-0 win over Moreton in the 1948 final, and what followed was the greatest season in Rangers history up until that point. It was in 1949-50 that Rangers became the first team to win the League, the League Cup and the Scottish Cup in one season – Scottish footballs first treble.

 

Back in those days, the first rounds of the League Cup were played in groups, and Celtic, in the same group as Rangers, was by far the favorate to go through. That was until, incredibly, they conceded 6 goals at home to Clyde. What that meant was that Celtic would play Rangers to decide who went through with the most points. The absolute cliffhanger was watched by a gigantic crowd of 105,000 packed into Ibrox Stadium. Williamson and Wadell scored to give Rangers the 2-1 win, which sent them through to the quarter final against St. Mirren. Rangers edged them out 1-0 and then romped Dundee 4-1 in the semi to set up a Rangers vs Raith Rovers final. With a 2-0 win, Rangers had the first piece of the treble puzzle. The Scottish FA Cup proved hardly a challenge with easy Rangers wins over Elgin, Motherwell, Patrick, East Fyfe and Clyde in the final. With 21 goals scored and just 2 conceded in the competition, the cup was secured. All that remained was the league title, but the odds were stacked against Rangers, who had Dundee nipping at their heels all season long.

 

It went right down to the wire, and after overtaking Rangers at the top, all Dundee needed to seal the deal on the last day of the season was a draw against Falkirk. Rangers had the earlier kickoff, and did their bit with a 4-1 defeat of Albion Rovers. All they could do now was wait for news to come through from Brockville Park with the other result. After what seemed like ages, it arrived. Dundee had slipped up and lost 4-1. The title, and the treble, belonged to Rangers. History had been made. Struths health started to falter after this, and with one final swansong he led the club to one more league title before standing down after leading Rangers to 18 league titles.

Achievements: Scottish League Championship – Champions x 3
                              Scottish FA Cup – Winners x3
                              Scottish League Cup – Winners x2

Star player: Eddie Rutherford, DOB 8 Feburary 1922, Govan, Scotland

Rutherford joined Rangers in 1941, but before he played a game for them WWII hit and he found himself posted in England where he guested for Lincoln City and Bradford City. Once his service was complete, he returned to Rangers and made his debut five years after signing for them, in 1946.  He struggled to become a regular on the right wing so he switched over to the left to boost his career. This worked a treat, and he was part of the Rangers 1949 treble winning team. He also won two Scottish league championships, three Scottish Cups, two Scottish League Cups, two Glasgow Cups and a Charity Cup. He gave Rangers 10 years of his career, scoring 28 goals in 128 appearances before leaving for Hearts in a swap deal that saw Colin Lidell move to Rangers. He then went on to join Wraith Rovers and Hamilton before finally retiring. After his retirement, he ran a newsagent in Rutherglen. He died in 2007, aged 86.