RANGERS LEGENDS COUNTDOWN 30-26

This week our team has brought you the first 25 of our fab 50 Ibrox heroes.

They have included stars from all eras ... from the roaring Twenties to the sensational Sixties, from the fantastic Forties to the nine-in-row years of the 1990s.

We don't claim the list is definitive – this is football, after all.

It's all about opinions – and yours is just as valid as ours.

And we've been overwhelmed by the number of readers who have got in touch to say how much they love the series.

And you've not been slow in chucking in your tuppence worth when it comes to who you reckon qualifies as a Rangers legend.

So we thank you for that.

We've even had former Rangers stars getting in touch to ask if they are on the list.

But now we're getting down to the nitty gritty and we know from your emails that you're keen to know who is going to top the list compiled by Matthew Lindsay and Chris Jack.

Today, we bring you another five Rangers icons, a quintet of star names whose feats are part of Ibrox folklore.

And that will set us up to continue the series on Monday when it starts to get a bit more serious.

At the end of the series, we'll publish a selection of your comments over which players you think should be included in our Rangers legends poll.

In the meantime, check out today's batch and make sure you're in the SportTimes dug-out for Monday's Rangers legends.

30 MARK HATELEY

The Rangers Years: 1990-95 and 1997.

Appearances: 222.

Career highlight: Two goals against Aberdeen at Ibrox to clinch three-in-a-row for Rangers.

Show us your medals: Five League titles; two Scottish Cups; three League Cups.

So what makes you a legend? It was Hateley's arrival at Ibrox that saw Ally McCoist often forced to watch on from the sidelines as Graeme Souness paired his new signing with Mo Johnston.

By the time the Englishman left, he had formed one of the most famous strikeforces in Scottish football history with the current Ibrox boss as the Gers racked up the titles on their way to nine-in-a-row. Hateley's pace, power and strength in the air made him the perfect foil for his forward partner, but with 115 goals in just 222 appearances, the former AC Milan and Monaco star showed he, too, was a lethal finisher.

His goals to win the league against Aberdeen and the famous Battle of Britain joust with Leeds United showed Hateley at his best in Light Blue.

He became the first non-Scot to win the Scottish Football Writers' Association Player of the Year before joining QPR. Hateley's Ibrox legacy was not done yet, however, as he returned for the infamous 1-0 win over Celtic as the Gers closed in on their ninth straight championship.

29 RC HAMILTON

The Rangers Years: 1897-1906 and 1907-1908.

Appearances: 209.

Career highlight: Playing in every game as Rangers won their first solo championship in 1898/99.

Show us your medals: Four League titles; two Scottish Cups.

So what makes you a legend? Robert Cumming Hamilton, or more commonly known by his initials RC, was Rangers' first truly prolific goalscorer. He was the first player to break through the 100-goals barrier and, by the time he brought the curtain down on his Light Blues career for the second time in 1908, following a short spell at Fulham, he was the Gers' record scorer. After joining the club from Queen's Park, Hamilton led Rangers to their first-ever solo championship, having shared their first with Dumbarton, and would finish the club's top scorer in an incredible nine successive seasons, as well as leading the Scottish scoring charts on six occasions.

It was not just on the domestic scene where Hamilton's natural eye for goal shone through, with the Light Blues' No.9 netting 15 times in just 11 games for Scotland. After leaving Ibrox, he turned out for Morton, Hearts, Dundee and hometown club Elgin before going into education and politics. He died in 1948.

28 JOCK (TIGER) SHAW

The Rangers Years: 1938-1953.

Appearances: 242.

Career highlight: Realising his boyhood dream to help Rangers to the 1938/39 league title in his first season at Ibrox.

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

So what makes you a legend? Shaw's place amongst Rangers' greatest-ever servants is undoubted. Had it not been for the Second World War, his personal haul of silverware would have been even more impressive.

The defender collected several medals during the war years and, even though he was 34 by the time the Scottish League restarted, his impact was still hugely significant in a glorious period for the club he served with distinction.

He was part of the famous 'Iron Curtain' defence that was the backbone for much of Rangers' success under legendary boss Bill Struth. 'Tiger' was a stalwart of the side that won six trophies in three years and remained club captain until season 1953/54.

His association with the club was not over, however, Shaw becoming a trainer to help nurture legends such as John Greig, Sandy Jardine and Willie Henderson before turning his hand to groundkeeping at Ibrox.

27 DOUGIE GRAY

The Rangers Years: 1925-1947.

Appearances: 555.

Career highlight: The 'Grand Slam' season of 1929/30 when Rangers won the League, Scottish Cup, Glasgow Cup and Glasgow Charity Cup.

Show us your medals: 10 League titles; six Scottish Cups.

So what makes you a legend? Nobody has given Rangers longer service than Dougie Gray and few have enjoyed as much success as the man signed from Junior side Aberdeen Muggiemoss. Gray made 940 appearances in Light Blue and won 16 championships, but his statistics are reduced due to wartime leagues being deemed unofficial. That does not diminish the defender's status or the worthiness of his place amongst the Ibrox greats, however. After replacing Bert Manderson in the team, he helped the Gers to their first-ever double in 1927/28 and would end his 22 years' service with a hugely impressive trophy cabinet.

His record as the club's longest-serving player is unlikely to ever be beaten, with perhaps the greatest tribute coming from boss Bill Struth, who referred to Gray as his "best-ever signing".

26 NEILLY GIBSON

The Rangers Years: 1894 -1905.

Appearances: 184.

Career highlight: Playing every game as Rangers clinched the 1898/99 title by winning all 18 matches.

Show us your medals: Four League titles; two Scottish Cups.

So what makes you a legend? Gibson was one of the first widely-revered Rangers players and was labelled "the greatest half-back of Victorian times" by English football writer Ivan Sharpe.

The Larkhall native would move to Ibrox from Royal Albert and go on to become a firm favourite with fans who flocked to see him dazzle defenders with his touch and skill and split open rearguards with exquisite passing. After starting his career as a winger, it was at wing-half were Gibson would make his name and ensure he would go down as one of Rangers' greatest entertainers.

He would win four successive League titles and two Scottish Cups during his 10 years at Ibrox. He also made 16 appearances for Scotland, including the 4-1 thrashing of England in 1900.

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 50.

Monday: the Rangers players ranked 25-21

Rangers legends Countdown 35 - 31

Rangers legends Countdown 40 - 36

Rangers Legends Countdown 45 - 41

Rangers Legends Countdown: 50 - 46

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