Product Description

What makes a Rangers Cult Hero? Success, iron tackling, goals, blinding skill, personality or silverware? Or is it simply a player that regularly beats Celtic? And indeed who would you choose as your Rangers hero? Ally McCoist, Terry Butcher, Paul Gascoigne, Brian Laudrup, Barry Ferguson, or Andy Goram? Or would you be more old school and plump for John Greig, Colin Stein, Davie Cooper, Willie Johnston, Davie Meiklejohn or Jim Baxter? Paul Smith's book, "Rangers' Cult Heroes", tells the story of the club through the careers of its 20 greatest icons - the men who made the blue half of Glasgow's pulses race. During his journey through a pantheon of Rangers greats, he discovers that there is much more to being a Gers Cult Hero. Each player's career is analysed to discover what made him tick, why he was so idolised by the fans and what his legacy to Rangers was. Each of the twenty had a spark of brilliance which ignited passion on the terraces, but equally each had peccadilloes, faults and an ability to shock. Find out who overcame horrendous racial abuse to win a place in Rangers fans' hearts, which German's Glaswegian accent won him a place in fans' affections, which midfield genius' antics caused a storm of protest from Celtic fans, and which winger's mythical status is based upon his haul of red cards, and which upon his untimely early death. Above all, discover what it is about 20 mere mortals that has brought them mythical status in Glasgow. Paul Smith explores the diverse and intriguing reasons why each one has engendered passion, excitement and devotion among some of the most obsessive football supporters on planet earth.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113207 in Books
• Published on: 2007-11-30
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 191 pages

Review
Rangers Cult Heroes includes biographies of 20 Ibrox icons who possessed explosive talent and skill but also had a fair share of arrogance and impudence - a powerful mix that conjures feelings of passion, excitement and devotion amongst football fans. This entertaining book is easy-to-read and Paul Smith - a journalist for the Aberdeen Press and Journal - has done a good job in telling the history of the club through the player histories. Players featured include Ally McCoist, John Greig, Terry Butcher, Andy Goram and Mark Walters among others. --Nathan Davies, The Association of Football Statisticians

About the Author
Paul Smith writes on Scottish football for the Aberdeen Press & Journal. His bona fides come from the fact that he is the son of former Rangers player David Smith, who starred in the Gers European Cup Winners Cup triumph in 1972. Paul has written several books, including To Barcelona and Beyond, the story of Ranger's 1972 European triumph.

Customer Reviews

Ger-reat!!!!!
Over the years I have read many football books, club histories, biographies etc, but have never felt inspired enough to write a review. So this book is honoured.

I was intrigued by who would be the real Cult Heroes of such a famous club which has had countless great players over the decades. From the first chapter on Davie Meiklejohn I was gripped, as tale after compelling tale unfolded on the pages in front of me. It is a great read and as a fan of football and not particularly Glasgow Rangers, I would absolutely recommend this tome to everyone.

The author deserves a great deal of credit for producing new information upon the likes of Ally McCoist, Davie Cooper, Andy Goram, George Young, Colin Stein, Wille Johnstone et al. I enjoyed every page and if you are a supporter of Rangers, then this book is a great read and an excellent addition to my top list of football must reads.