Today I have picked another significant event in time, and the Rangers game that follows it.
DATE : 16th August 1977. Memphis, Tennessee
EVENT : The death of Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley. Changed music forever, not only with the music he performed, but in the way in which he performed, breaking down cultural barriers that coincided with the growing civil rights movement in the United States.
By 1977 Elvis was in decline, a series of failed comebacks and financial mismanagement had left the star facing ruin, his only option was to go back on tour in an attempt to keep his head above water.
His physical appearance had become somewhat concerning, this and his growing waistline had only helped fuel the rumors the star was fighting a prescription drugs addiction. The king died on the throne on the night of August 16th 1977 after suffering heart failure, due to a combination of prescription drugs and a poor diet.
Having taken the trip to Graceland, I can say this with great pleasure. The king defiantly had some hubris about him. He was a one off, and a man who changed the music industry forever. On a personal note I got chatted up at his grave, a gift from the King.
Rangers first game after the King’s passing was against Hibernian at Ibrox.
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DATE : 20th August 1977
VENUE : Ibrox Staduim, Glasgow
SCORE : 0-2
COMPETITION : Premier Division
This was not the start to the season Rangers, had wanted, and it would get even worse. When defeat at Ibrox would see the team bottom of the table with no points, after just two matches played.
Hibs had managed to get ahead as early as the 4th minute, with the Edinburgh sides recent recruit from junior football, Gordon Rae finding the net. It’s hard to imagine just how bad Rangers were in this game, especially considering the calibre of player on show from the home side, players and greats like, Davie Cooper, John Greig and Sandy Jardine , all starting the match.
By all accounts it was a hard watch for the home support, but it’s at least comferting to know that in some ways things never change. The Ibrox faithful can be heard giving cries of “what a load of rubbish” and “Wallace must go”, even back then Ibrox was an unforgiving environment.
Hibs second came just a minute from time and with the Gers never really laying a glove on their opponents, the one bright spark being the performance of Tam Forsyth.
This result would prove a turning point in the club’s season, going on to win the following week 4-0 at Patrick Thistle, and not losing again until Chistmas Eve.
The team would of course go famously on to win the treble that year, and with it once again proving to the group of fans singing for Wallace’s head, that patience is a virtue. Good things come to those who wait.
RANGERS:
McCloy, Jardine, Forsyth, Jackson, McLean, Russel, MacDonald, Parlane, Robertson, Cooper (Smith 66)
HIBERNIAN:
MacDonald, McNamara, Blackley, Stewart, Bremmer, Brazil, Smith, McLeod, Rae, Scott
MOTM : Tam Forsyth
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