Kevin Thomson
Walter Smith signed Kevin Thomson from Hibernian in the January transfer window of 2007 for a fee of £2 million, Kevin was a tough tackling defensive midfielder with the ability to win challenges you didn’t think he had the right to win and in the same breath be able to pick out a fellow team member with a pinpoint pass from pretty much anywhere on the pitch. His mentality and tenacity was great attribute for a Rangers team that was famous for fighting and harassing the opposition and was a key figure in the run up to the UEFA Cup final. Kevin left Rangers after winning the double with the Glasgow club and moved down south to Middlesbrough.
Kevin joined the Championship club in July 2010 with Gordon Strachan running the club, also costing the North Yorkshire team £2 million. He played for two and a half years and played 56 games in total, this making an impressive stat due to him breaking his leg in only his second game in a game against Leicester City, taking almost 18 months to completely fix the frustrating injury that hampered his time with Boro, Kevin left the club by mutual consent in the January transfer window in 2013.
After leaving Boro he returned to Hibs to train with his boyhood club, with Hibs looking unlikely to be able to offer him a contract, he offered to play for free and signed to the end of the current season. For me that speaks volumes of his character and his willingness to play for free is a quality that many modern players lack. Kevin was offered a one year deal during that summer and signed, unfortunately he was released following the club’s relegation from the Scottish Premier League. As Hibs passed down to the Championship, Dundee were promoted and Kevin was signed by Paul Hartley in May 2014. Thomson was given the honour of club captain for the Dee club and continued to make 38 appearances in 18 months. He then signed for Hibs for a third spell in Edinburgh and during his last stint, he collaborated his playing time with coaching the youth development sides.
Kevin decided to call time on his professional career and the age of 31 but has recently started The Kevin Thomson Academy, where he hopes to train and improve the skills of Scotland’s young players. Personally, I can’t think of a better person to have teaching the younger generation of players coming through. A dedicated professional with a vast experience in the Scottish game and under some fantastic managers. Kevin also helps with commentary on match days with Tom Miller on Rangers TV, another great pairing form the Rangers channel and I enjoy watching the games back to see and hear their take on matches. Kevin Thomson was a fantastic servant to all the clubs he played for and always gave his all when pulling on the jersey, nobody could question his desire, work ethic and resilience. He managed to win two league titles, two League Cups and one Scottish Cup in his time at Rangers and I will never forget his goal against Celtic, it’s still and joy to watch to this day.