Rangers F.C.
Scottish football team.
Glasgow Rangers are a professional football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play their domestic football in the Scottish Premiership. The club has several nicknames, including "The Gers," "The Light Blues," and "The Teddy Bears." Rangers are based in Glasgow and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Scottish football history. Rangers famously play in royal blue shirts. They play home games at Ibrox Stadium, one of the largest stadiums in Scotland, with a capacity of 50,817. The club has played at Ibrox since 1899.
Rangers were founded in 1872 by four teenage boys and joined the Scottish Football League in 1890 as one of the original members. Since their inception, they have won a world record 55 Scottish league titles, 33 Scottish Cups, and 27 Scottish League Cups. The club's first major silverware was the Scottish Cup in 1894, defeating Celtic 3-1 in the final. In European competitions, Rangers have won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1972 and have competed regularly in other European competitions.
The most famous period in the club's history was under the management of Bill Struth from 1920 to 1954. He led them to 18 league titles, 10 Scottish Cups, and 2 League Cups over his 34-year tenure. Another notable era was the "nine in a row" period from 1988 to 1997, when Rangers won nine consecutive league titles under the management of Graeme Souness and Walter Smith.
Rangers hold various records in Scotland and are the most successful club in terms of domestic trophies won. The club has been in the top flight for most of its history, with a brief period in the lower divisions from 2012 to 2016 due to financial difficulties. Rangers also hold the record for the highest scoring match in British football history, an 18-0 victory over Hibernian in 1894.
The club's biggest rivals are Celtic, with whom they contest the Old Firm derby. This rivalry is one of the oldest and most famous in world football, often extending beyond sport into cultural, religious, and political spheres. Matches between Rangers and Celtic are always highly anticipated events in the Scottish football calendar.
In 2012, Rangers faced severe financial difficulties that led to the club entering administration and eventually liquidation. The club was reformed as a new company and had to start again in the fourth tier of Scottish football. Under the management of Ally McCoist, Rangers began their journey back to the top flight, achieving three promotions in four years.
In recent years, Rangers have returned to compete for the Scottish Premiership title and are considered regular challengers for domestic cups. The appointment of Steven Gerrard as manager in 2018 marked a turning point for the club, culminating in winning their 55th league title in the 2020-21 season, stopping Celtic's bid for a record tenth consecutive championship.