RANGERS LEGENDS COUNTDOWN 20-16

20 RALPH BRAND

The Rangers Years: 1954 -1965.

Appearances: 317.

Career highlight: Winning only the second-ever Treble in 1964.

Show us your medals: Four League titles, three Scottish Cups, four League Cups.

So what makes you a legend? Ralph Brand was one half of one of football's greatest-ever double acts. Alongside the legendary Jimmy Millar, he was the inspiration behind a period of huge success for Rangers as they lifted nine trophies in just four years in the early 60s. Brand was a superb talent in his own right, one of the best to ever wear the famous blue jersey, yet it was his partnership with Millar that wrote his name into the history books. The pair scored 254 goals between them in that silverware-laden spell.

The strike duo used the train journeys from Edinburgh to Glasgow, and extra training sessions when their team-mates had gone for the day, to hone an understanding of each other and to analyse the beautiful game. The work was to pay off in some style, with Brand's 206 goals making him one of their most revered forwards.

19 WILLIE HENDERSON

The Rangers Years: 1960-1972.

Appearances: 426.

Career highlight: Stunning solo effort in the 1-0 Scottish Cup win over Celtic en route to the 1964 treble.

Show us your medals: Two League titles, four Scottish Cups, two League Cups.

So what makes you a legend?: Few players have entertained the Light Blue legions more than Willie Henderson.

At just 17, he was living the dream as he made his Rangers debut, but his time at Ibrox came to an acrimonious end as he missed out on the club's finest hour in Barcelona in 1972.

A fall-out with Willie Waddell meant he had to watch the European Cup-Winners' Cup victory over Moscow Dynamo on a South African beach but, while his name may not be recalled alongside the Barca Bears, it is fondly remembered by fans who saw him in action. Blistering pace and incredible close control allowed him to breeze past defenders with ease, and his pinpoint accuracy from the flanks ensured he would be one of the most influential stars of perhaps the greatest-ever Rangers side.

18 IAN McCOLL

The Rangers Years: 1945-1960.

Appearances: 526.

Career highlight: Managing Scotland to a 2-1 win over England at Wembley in 1963 as Jim Baxter scored twice.

Show us your medals: Seven League titles, five Scottish Cups, two League Cups.

So what makes you a legend? It is not just Ian McColl's length of service or glittering array of medals that marks him out as one of Rangers' finest players, it was his commitment on the field and off it and consistently high levels of performance that ensured he will forever be remembered. He won 14 major honours during his 15-year Ibrox career and would go on to manage his country, leading Scotland to 16 wins in his 27 matches in charge. McColl partnered the legendary Willie Woodburn at right-half in the famous 'Iron Curtain' defence as Rangers conceded less than a goal a game during a magnificent 10-year period, a feat that will surely never be bettered. A player of skill as well as defensive resolve, McColl, who died in 2008, is undoubtedly a Light Blue legend.

17 RICHARD GOUGH

The Rangers Years: 1987-1997 and 1997-1998.

Appearances: 427.

Career highlight: Leading Rangers to their ninth successive League title.

Show us your medals: Nine League titles, three Scottish Cups, six League Cups.

So what makes you a legend? The scene of an emotional Gough holding the League trophy aloft in 1997 as Rangers clinched nine-in-a-row is one of the most famous and memorable in the club's hugely distinguished history.

It marked the realisation of a dream and years of hard work, and it was fitting that Gough was the man who did the honours at Tannadice that night.

He became Rangers' first million pound signing when Graeme Souness finally brought him to Ibrox from Tottenham in 1987 and the defender went on to repay the investment many times over.

Gough was one of Rangers' greatest captains, leading by example through his superb performances and the way he conducted himself on and off the park.

As well as nine League titles, the Swedish-born star would win three Scottish Cups and six League Cups during his Ibrox career and was referred to by Walter Smith as his 'cornerstone'.

16 NICOL SMITH

The Rangers Years: 1893-1905.

Appearances: 205.

Career highlight: Being part of a defence that conceded just 18 goals on the way to the 1898/99 title.

Show us your medals: Four League titles, three Scottish Cups.

So what makes you a legend? Few players made a greater impact during Rangers' early years than Nicol Smith, but his career leaves questions of what might have been after he was struck down in his prime. At just 31, Smith died of enteric fever, a condition that had claimed the life of his wife just weeks earlier. His loss was a huge blow to Rangers and coincided with the break-up of the first great Light Blues side. Smith became a mainstay of the rearguard at right-back as he formed an impressive partnership with Jock Drummond. He was part of the side that beat Celtic 5-0 in September, 1893, and ensured they would meet their Old Firm rivals again in the Scottish Cup final by netting in the last-four win over Queen's Park. His greatest campaign came in 1898/99 as Rangers won all 18 league games and conceded just 18 goals on their way to the title.

Your shout

Now it's your turn to let us know what you think about our Rangers legends. Get in touch with us via email at sport@eveningtimes.co.uk and we'll give you the chance to have your say on the Famous Fifty.

Tomorrow: The Rangers players ranked 15-11

Rangers Legends Countdown 25 - 21

Rangers Legends Countdown 30 - 26

Rangers legends Countdown 35 - 31

Rangers legends Countdown 40 - 36

Rangers Legends Countdown 45 - 41

Rangers Legends Countdown: 50 - 46

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