RANGERS LEGENDS COUNTDOWN 25-21

25 DAVIE WILSON

THE RANGERS YEARS: 1956-1967.

APPEARANCES: 373.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Scoring six goals in a 7-1 win over Falkirk in 1962.

SHOW US YOUR MEDALS: Two League titles, five Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

SO WHAT MAKES YOU A LEGEND? Wilson was a member of the legendary Rangers forward line of Millar, Brand and Wilson that terrorised defences at home and abroad in the 1960s.

The blonde-haired flyer was a winger, but he certainly knew how to find the back of the net. He did so on six occasions in a game against Falkirk at Brockville in 1962.

He remains the only Rangers player and one of only two Scottish players – Dixie Deans of Celtic is the other – to achieve the feat since the Second World War.

The 5ft 6in star excelled in Europe as well as domestically. He helped Rangers reach the semi-final of the European Cup in 1960 and the final of the European Cup-Winners' Cup in 1961.

He was a key member of the Scot Symon team that swept all before them in Scottish football in the early 1960s and won nine trophies in six years. Injuries denied him more.

24 WILLIE JOHNSTON

THE RANGERS YEARS: 1964-1973 and 1980-1982.

APPEARANCES: 393.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Scoring two goals in the European Cup-Winners' Cup final in 1972.

SHOW US YOUR MEDALS: One European Cup-Winners' Cup, one Scottish Cup and two League Cups.

SO WHAT MAKES YOU A LEGEND? Willie or Bud, as he is affectionately known, was fast and skilful and idolised by fans.

The two goals he scored against Moscow Dynamo in the final of the European Cup-Winners' Cup at the Nou Camp in 1972 will never be forgotten.

A mercurial character on the pitch, his indiscipline ultimately led to him leaving Rangers in 1973. He picked up a nine-week suspension after getting ordered off against Partick Thistle and moved on to West Brom.

He was infamously sent home from the 1978 World Cup in disgrace after testing positive for a banned substance.

He Returned to Rangers in 1980 and played for two years under John Greig before spells at Vancouver Whitecaps, Hearts and East Fife.

23 WILLIE THORNTON

THE RANGERS YEARS: 1936-1954.

APPEARANCES: 303.

SHOW US YOUR MEDALS: Four League titles, three Scottish Cups, two League Cups.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Receiving a standing ovation from both sets of supporters in the first Old Firm game after the Second World War.

SO WHAT MAKES YOU A LEGEND? It is tantalising to think what Willie Thornton would have achieved in the game if his career had not been interrupted by the Second World War.

No sooner had Thornton won his first Scottish title with Rangers in 1939 was he off to fight in North Africa. He served in Egypt, Libya and Italy and earned the Military Medal.

He struck up a formidable partnership up front with Willie Waddell. He was a clinical finisher with his head and benefited from the quality of his team mate's crosses.

He moved into management after retiring – having never been booked in his career – and had spells in the dugout at Dundee and Partick Thistle.

He was assistant to Davie White and then Waddell at Rangers.

22 ERIC CALDOW

THE RANGERS YEARS: 1953-1966.

APPEARANCES: 407.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Becoming the first Rangers player to appear in the World Cup in 1958.

SHOW US YOUR MEDALS: Five League titles, two Scottish Cups, three League Cups.

SO WHAT MAKES YOU A LEGEND? ERIC Caldow was a member of two great Rangers teams during his 13 years at Ibrox.

A full-back who could play on either side of the park, he broke into the team in 1953 and played alongside Sammy Cox, Willie Woodburn and Willie Waddell.

He would later be a key member of the legendary side of the early 1960s and star next to John Greig and Ronnie McKinnon.

The Ayrshireman's greatest strengths were his searing pace and his ability to time a tackle. He excelled in Europe as well as domestically as a result.

Caldow represented his country on 40 occasions. Sadly, he had his leg broken in three places playing for Scotland against England in 1963 at the age of just 30.

After a long rehabilitation program – Caldow made only four appearances in 1963-64 – he re-established himself the following season at left-back, playing 34 matches and helping Rangers to a 2-1 League Cup final success against Celtic, his 10th honour with Rangers.

Caldow left and played for one season with Stirling Albion before moving south to become player-manager of Corby Town in 1967.

21 JIMMY MILLAR

THE RANGERS YEARS: 1955-1967.

APPEARANCES: 317.

SHOW US YOUR MEDALS: Three League titles, five Scottish Cups, three League Cups.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Scoring two goals in the 1964 Scottish Cup final to help Rangers beat Dundee and win the Treble.

SO WHAT MAKES YOU A LEGEND? Walter Smith's all-time favourite Rangers player is Jimmy Millar.

The legendary manager is not alone in idolising the former striker. Many Rangers supporters who grew up in the 1960s did.

The striker was not the most skilful ever to have graced the Ibrox turf.

But what he lacked in finesse he made up for in bravery and hard work.

He was also outstanding in the air for Rangers.

The partnership he formed with Ralph Brand up front was one of the most lethal in Rangers' history.

They scored 85 goals between them in all competitions as they won the League and Scottish Cup double in 1963.

He moved on to play for Dundee United in 1967 – where he briefly played alongside Smith – and later managed Raith Rovers.

YOUR SHOUT

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Tomorrow: The Rangers players ranked 20-16

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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