Rangers are mourning the passing of Hall of Famer Ronnie McKinnon as Ibrox pays tribute to a boyhood bluenose who lived every fan’s dream.
The club have paid their respects this week as they released an emotional statement detailing the commitment Ronnie McKinnon gave the club he loved over 12 years.
Signed from Dunipace, the former Scotland international defender played 487 times for Rangers, winning nine trophies including two league titles between 1960 and 1972.
Playing a pivotal part of the team which won the domestic treble in 1963/64 and played in the legendary Rangers team of John Greig, Jim Baxter, Jimmy Shearer and the like.
The Rangers defender also played in the 1967 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final defeat to Bayern Munich but missed the Gers’ famous 1972 win in Barcelona after breaking his leg against Sporting Lisbon in the run to the Final.
Earning 28 caps for Scotland, Ronnie McKinnon also took part in an iconic match against Pele’s Brazil in 1966 at Hampden which resulted in an iconic snap of both players clashing.
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Ronnie McKinnon lived the dream at Rangers
A Rangers legend of a bygone era, via the official Rangers statement the club quoted Ronnie’s comments on when he signed for the Ibrox side.
In comments which show the down to Earth nature of the man, these will resonate with every bluenose with Ronnie McKinnon relishing the chance to live the dream.
“I was Rangers daft and always wanted to play for them,” Ronnie said. “I dreamt it would happen but never thought it would.
“I had the luck to be playing for a junior team one day and I had a good game. I came into the dressing room after the game, it was at Renfrew Juniors stadium, and they wanted to sign me.
“I went home and the phone went, my mum answered and was all flustered. She told me it was Scot Symon on the phone and I couldn’t believe it!
“I had never seen my mother so happy and I found it hard to sleep that night.
“The next day I went to Ibrox with my dad and was told Mr Symon was waiting for me.
“It was like winning the lottery. I walked in to training and there were all my heroes. I couldn’t believe it; I thought I was dreaming.”
An honorary member of the Isle of Lewis RSC, Ronnie McKinnon regularly visited Ibrox on yearly outings with the club and he will be sorely missed by his many friends, family and widow Elizabeth.