John Greig has joked that he’d consider the post of Ibrox doorman as the legendary Rangers figure collects a CBE.
Mr Rangers John Greig has been awarded the CBE – which stands for Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – for his services to association football and the community in Scotland.
The 81-year-old has spent a life dedicated to Rangers Football Club and the club legend was named the greatest ever Ranger in 1999.
Having played for the club from 1961 to 1978, John Greig is synonymous with Ibrox and is a legendary figure whose contribution will likely never be replicated in the club’s history.
Having played as a defender, John Greig also served as manager for five years between 1978 and 1983, before working in the club’s PR team, assisting Dick Advocaat, working in the Ibrox academy and serving on the Rangers Board.
Rangers claim everyone associated with the club is “incredibly proud” of the CBE achievement and it’s a view echoed by everyone at Rangers News.
John Greig still eyeing Rangers doorman post
Still representing Rangers as a club ambassador, the legendary former Ibrox defender has done it all for the blue side of Glasgow.
But speaking after William the Prince of Wales awarded the legendary ex-Rangers defender the CBE at Buckingham Palace, John Greig claims he’s still waiting on the call to become Ibrox doorman.
“I’ve done everything, that’s great,” John Greig told Sky Sports. “Except being the doorman but they might give me that sometime in the future.
“But it was a great honour to have been part of a great club and I’ve been very proud to represent the club for a long, long time.”
Earlier questioned about picking up the award, Greig said: “It’s a great honour and it’s a tribute to the club I played for all these years that I’m here today.
“I think over the years any award that I’ve had I’ve owed it to the club, so it’s as much for them as it is for me and all our supporters who’ve backed us every week.
“It’s been a long time at Ibrox but I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I’ve been very proud of every minute of it.”
Philippe Clement has Rangers legend’s backing
Whilst the day was about John Greig and the award of the CBE, there was also the chance to discuss the direction new Rangers manager Philippe Clement is taking the current squad.
It’s a role which John Greig is of course very familiar with and speaking as part of the interview, the Rangers legend has thrown his support behind Philippe Clement.
“I’ve got great hopes for the new manager,” said Greig. “Hopefully he’s had a good start.
“But it’s hard because every game is a Cup Final because every team wants to beat Rangers and I think he understands that.
“He’s an experienced manager and the results he’s had so far are very encouraging.”
John Greig made 755 appearances in total for Rangers, winning five league titles, six Scottish Cups, four League Cups and, of course, the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup as a player.
Adding two Scottish Cups and two League Cups as a manager, Greig also captained the club through the tragic events of the 1971 Ibrox disaster in which 66 fans lost their lives.
Immortalised in a statue which serves as a tribute to those supporters, John Greig is etched into the foundations of Rangers and the CBE is just recognition for a lifetime of commitment to our club.
