Neil McCann returns to Ibrox this Saturday and the now Dundee manager and ex-Rangers winger will receive nothing but a warm welcome from the fans.
The pacey, industrious dribbler played a huge role in Advocaat and McLeish teams of the late 90s and early 2000s.
He was a direct, talented footballer with one of the meanest left feet the Copland Road has ever seen.
You’ll also be hard pressed to find a fan who he didn’t endear himself to.
McCann stood up to abuse and press controversy to win at Ibrox
One of the finest Scottish players of a generation, McCann’s move to Rangers was supposed to herald all manner of controversy.
The winger was raised a catholic and apparently a Celtic fan. His move to Rangers didn’t go down well in the east end of the city, but it was welcomed in the south.
In fact, McCann had his heart set on the move to Rangers even if Celtic came in for him. Although the prospect of the move was scary at first, McCann has only ever had good things to say about Rangers. And condemnation of the abuse he received from Parkhead.
None of this ever mattered as the passionate little player stole Rangers’ fans hearts. McCann said he had the time of his life. Religion played little part in it.
A key role in Rangers History
Neil McCann has etched his name into Rangers history with one moment in particular – that day we won the league at Parkhead in 1999.
McCann scored a double either side of a Jorg Albertz penalty. To this day, it’s the biggest, most volatile derby day annihilation in Scottish football history. As a result Rangers won the league on Celtic’s patch in what will forever be known as the shame game.
For Rangers fans, it was glorious. Some sections of the Celtic support didn’t take it very well. Especially when the Rangers team huddled together at full time.
Neil McCann said he knew it right then and there. He’d made his way into Rangers history.
He reserved his biggest performances for our Old Firm rivals. He whipped a stunning ball across the box in the 2002 Scottish Cup Final. It found Lovenkrands in the final minute. Rangers went 3-2 up. Que pandemonium.
An important player who played over 100 league appearances in five seasons, he will be warmly received when he steps out this Saturday.
Here’s our predicted XI for the game.
