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On the 30th March 1901 our Founder Peter McNeil passed at Hawkhead Asylum in Glasgow. He rests in Craigton Cemetery with his brothers William and James and parents John and Jean. On the 9th September 2009 Heather Lang unveiled a plaque at Fleshers Haugh to mark the location of the first match played by Rangers Football Club, against Callander, in May, 1872. There was no-one more appropriate to carry out the ceremony than Heather, Granddaughter of Gallant Pioneer, Peter McNeil. Heather and her sister Doreen Holland were the strongest link we have with Peter and his fellow Pioneers; his brother Moses, Peter Campbell and William McBeath. Sadly Heather passed at her sister’s home in London in 2016. Heather and Doreen, though, were unaware of their link with the founding of Rangers. Grandfather Peter had a tragic end to his life. It was probably because of this, that their mother, Gertrude, daughter of Peter and his wife, Janet, never spoke of her father. He had died in Hawkhead Asylum, on 30 March, 1901. He had clearly suffered from a form of mental illness, though his death was recorded as “general paralysis’’. Peter was born in 1854, a year before his brother and fellow Pioneer, Moses. In his mid-teens, he had moved to Glasgow with other members of his family. Peter played in the first match against Callander, in May, 1872. He was one of the Club’s earliest captains and was a regular in the side until 1876. It was off the field of play though Peter McNeil made his greatest contribution to the formative years of the Club. William Dunlop tells of Peter heading to Fleshers Haugh about noon to secure the field for the Club. The goalposts would be planted and he would then have to watch over the field until the “appointed hour”. When his playing days were over, and he gave way to better players, he became honorary secretary. He held this position from 1876 – 1883. He was vice-president from 1886 – 1888. He was a greatly respected administrator, serving as treasurer of the Scottish Football Association from 1879 – 1883. He was known as “Genial Peter”, a much-loved and respected figure within Scottish Football. Peter had a business which he ran with his brother, Harry, “H and P McNeil”. It was one of the forerunners of the modern sports outfitters. The business had started in the mid 1870’s. The original premises had been in Renfield Street but in 1883, the brothers moved to Union Street. They were suppliers of outfits to both Rangers and Scotland. In March, 1885, Peter married Janet. Rangers Football Club presented the happy couple with “a beautiful inlaid marble clock and a pair of equestrian bronzes”. Within five years, the family was complete with the birth of John Fraser and Gertrude Grace. Despite the happy home life, it was clear the pressure of business was taking its toll of Peter. His brother Harry was a partner in the business . Harry McNeil had been one of the most famous and popular footballers of his day. He played for Queen’s Park and had been an established Scottish internationalist. For many years after he retired from playing, his name was frequently recorded in the sports media of the day. The business of H & P McNeil disappeared from the PO Directory by 1896. Bankruptcy had come to Peter and Harry. The deterioration of Peter's mental health caused anguish to his family. In January, 1901, he was committed to Hawkhead Asylum. Peter McNeil lay at rest for many years with his parents, John and Jean, and older brother William in what was an unmarked grave at Craigton Cemetery. Either side of him are his brothers Alexander and James. On the 22nd June 2013 memorials to our Founder Peter McNeil and his family were erected on their final resting places at Craigton Cemetery. Peter’s resting place fittingly looks on to the front door of Ibrox Stadium. Our Founder Peter McNeil died at a young age ,he was only 47, but he lived long enough to see the Club that he helped form and nurture grow from what was essentially a boys club on Fleshers Haugh into a worldwide sporting institution. Today we remember Peter McNeil.

For my next annoying attempt at generating some discussion: What is the Greatest Rangers side? I was inspired by an article listing the greatest sides of all time, where the Ajax '65-73 side won out over teams like Brazil '70, Milan '87-91, Madrid '50-60, Ajax '92-96 and Barcelona '08-11 etc. I thought, first, we could generate a list of the greatest Ranges sides. Then we can have a poll! I'll need some help here, to generate the list and fill in the teams. Thus far, I have: Rangers '94-97: Goram, Cleland, Robertson, Gough, McLaren, Brown, Gascoigne, Ferguson, McCall, Laudrup, McCoist / Durie Rangers '91-93: Goram, Brown, Gough, McPherson, Robertson, McCall, Ferguson, Durant, Murray / Steven (?), McCoist, Hateley Rangers '07/08: Alexander, Broadfoot, Weir, Cuellar, Papac, Whittaker, Ferguson, Hemdani, Thomson, Davis, Darcheville Rangers '01-03: Klos, Ricksen, Amoruso, Moore, Numan, Ferguson, DeBoer, Malcolm, Arveladze, McCann, Mols Rangers '71/72: McCloy, Jardine, Mathieson, Greig, Johnstone, Smith, McLean, Conn, Stein, MacDonald, Johnston Rangers '75-78: McCloy, Jardine, Jackson, Greig, Forsyth, McLean, Russell, MacDonald, Cooper, Johnstone, Smith Rangers '98-00: Klos, Reyna, Moore, Vidmar, Numan, Kanchelskis, Ferguson, Van Bronckhorst, Albertz, Wallace, Dodds Rangers '59-64: Ritchie, Shearer, Provan, Greig, McKinnon, Baxter, Henderson, McMillan, Millar, Brand, Wilson What do you think about splitting the '90s side? It seems quite different from Souness' early side to Smith's later side? I'll need help with the above times periods and teams. I've taken the teams from cup finals so they will be different from the typical league side. What are some more great Rangers sides?

See looking at that 07/08 team - it amazes me that they made it to the Europa final, and I am sure it amazes almost all of us. It is testament to their professionalism but, moreso, the guile of Walter Smith that this team made the final of a European competition. A team that included a 38 yr old Davie Weir and "limited ability" Kirk Broadfoot in the back 4 is head-shaking stuff. Looking through that whole team none of those players would stick out the way a Gascoigne or Laudrup would. Cuellar was our best player that season, IMO, yet only ended up at Aston Villa. We were solid in midfield with Ferguson, Davis, Thomson and the under-rated Hemdani (better suited to European football than domestic) and even Darcheville up top wasn't a fantastic player. Just look at that team in comparison to the 91-97 team.... How many of the 07/08 team would make that 91-97 team ? Cuellar in place of McLaren maybe (and I liked McLaren too) ? Papac instead of Brown maybe ? Not one of the midfield 4 would get in the team (aside from Ferguson being in both...) and Darcheville wouldn't get in front of McCoist. And yet that 07/08 team made the Europa final - amazes me.

Former Top Referee Blows Dog Whistle. These days, the bankrupt Wullie Miller earns a crust from constant outpourings on BBC Radio Scotland. Big Dick loves to lay out his achievements as Aberdeen's most successful Skipper, and regularly promotes Wullie's time on Aberdeen's Board as Director of Football, brings that special insight. Miller's managerial career is glossed over and his time as the country's best referee is only occasionally joked upon. The plethora of Dandies on the various shows worship at the altar of Wullie, and when Miller blows the dog whistle, everyone comes to heel. There's never any mention of Wullie's fish frying abilities. Twenty years past he took on a Harry Ramsdens franchise based at Aberdeen's south beach, and it tanked. Twice bankrupted, Wullie is the epitome of a bail out merchant. He is fortunate that a sympathetic crew of broadcasters allow him free reign. It's easy. he talks with authority because he is protected. Words such as morality, integrity, principle, probity, ...... etc trip off his tongue without fear of betrayal. These days, Aberdeen's chief investor is Dave Cormack, recently returned from the States to peruse the club's books. In the last 25 years, Aberdeen have had a historical debt of £19 million written off by a sympathetic bank. They have survived two legitimate relegations, beneficiaries of creative administrators. Further, they have persevered with a ground moving proposal that has allowed them to oversee a stadium that would NOT receive a safety certificate anywhere else in Scotland. Pittodrie is a toilet. Cormack's book learning has proved depressive, an unsuccessful manager exacerbates the situation. Cormack realises Aberdeen are a heartbeat away from misery, he uses the current bleak medical situation to moan about his club living beyond it's means. A cost of £5 million to survive the season's end, insurance running out next month, and the fantasy of moving stadium to be run out, AGAIN? Aberdeen's solution is to end the season as is, Sellik champions and Hearts relegated, and play out the Scottish Cup because there's £3 million prize money among four clubs. It's a hard sell, particularly if you went hard recently on all that bullsh1t about sporting integrity. The PR is fired up, Wullie is wheeled before the Aberdeen Evening Express, then gets to reinforce the current fantasy on the national broadcaster, because he can. Wullie says : 1. Ultimately, integrity has to be binned, hard pragmatism takes over. No one will be happy, tough times demand tough decisions. 2. Sellik are champions, Hearts have had a poor season and should be relegated. All clubs must ultimately accept these decisions. 3. The season cannot be declared null and void. 4. Three cup games are easy, play them next season allowing the four clubs access to much needed finance. 5. The legal route is Not the way to go. There you have it, Wullie the Voice of Reason. The voices of no reason on Saturday were once again, Tom English and Michael Stewart. Discussing Dave King's stepping down and Douglas Park taking over as interim Chairman is an invitation at PQ for sustained fcukwittery. Michael does not disappoint, he began with the accepted Beeb Scotland mantra, "forget about Europe". Yep, that's the rational, forget about 31 games in under two seasons, it upsets the arithmetic. Michael begins with, "Rangers are spending more than we earn", reminds us that, "Mike Ashley had the club nearly breaking even", and Dougie Park has been left with a huge ask. Further, Michael will be "astonished" if Rangers can find any fresh investment and is, "surprised" King has abandoned the club as this point. Tom concluded with the word, "uncertainty". I await Jum Spence shouting, 'contrition'?

The '59-64 side is added to the list.

Sure did. 1959-1964 approx. Have another squint at #56 Best XI.

According to current reports , UK life may not be normal for six months or longer, so the 20-21 season could be in doubt, let alone finishing this one.

I was gutted when we sold KT. We could do with a midfielder like him again.

They're already using the parking. I think use of Ibrox Stadium itself will only be necessary if the situation becomes critical.