Alex Miller (1968 to 1983)

Drumchapel boy Alex Miller joined Rangers from Clydebank Strollers in April of 1965.

With Jock Stein set to take the promising youngster to Celtic, Rangers made their own move just in time to clinch Alex's signature.

Miller's father and grandfather were both Gers men and it meant everything to Alex when he pulled on the famous blue jersey. Signed to Rangers by Scott Symon, Miller incredibly served under Symon, White, Waddell, Wallace and Greig (Bill Struth being the only recognised permanent Manager in the history of the Club 'missing' up until that point).

Alex was a versatile player who could play in any outfield position, always demonstrating the same skill, composure and determination.

If ever one game highlighted Miller’s commitment to the Rangers cause, it was the 1971 Scottish Cup Final when, with the tie on a knife edge, Miller suffered a sickening injury following a collision with Celtic's Jim Brogan. The incident resulted in a triple fracture of his jaw and left Alex suffering double vision. Yet, despite the advice of the medical staff at half-time, Miller opted to take his place for the second-half with the game eventually finishing 'all square'. Sadly, his pain was compounded when Rangers were defeated in the replay, the Gers team bus passing by his Victoria Infirmary balcony so that he could wave his colleagues good luck. Miller underwent extensive surgery to repair his shattered face.

That 1970/71 season was his first campaign as a regular, despite making an initial breakthrough in Davie White’s 1969 team. Initially snatching the 'No.3' shirt from Willie Mathieson, Alex surrendered the position as he recovered from the serious facial injury and was unable to dislodge Willie in time for the European Cup Winners’ Cup campaign of 1971/1972.

Typically, Alex showed resilience and patience and the wait was worthwhile, winning a League Championship medal in 1975 and playing a major part in the treble success the following season. Although missing the League Cup final (again due to injury), Miller was back in place for the Scottish Cup showpiece and made it a hat-trick of Title wins when he savoured League glory again in 1978.

Miller remained a valuable squad man when team-mate John Greig took managerial control later that year and would remain at Ibrox until 1983, going on to win two further League Cup medals.

Somewhat of an expert penalty taker, Miller's most memorable goal surely came in the 1980 Premier League win over Celtic at Parkhead. Despatching a magnificent half-volley from distance following Willie Johnston's clever throw-in, Alex's effort fizzed past Pat Bonner and into the top corner. Clinching a 2-1 Old Firm victory in front of the Rangers support with just 30 seconds remaining was the stuff of dreams.

It was no surprise that Alex would go into coaching once his own playing days were drawing to a close. A true scholar of the game from a young age, Alex was always "football daft" and seeking out every opportunity to enhance his own knowledge by studying different trends and training regimes. As a player, he had been the consummate professional, keeping himself constantly fit through pre-season training and, unusually, remaining teetotal throughout his Gers career. Whilst others may have dreaded the "murder hill" regime under Jock Wallace, the man known as "squeeky" almost relished those summer trips to Gullane.

Initially leaving Ibrox to make a switch to South China, Alex returned to Scotland to assume the role of Player/Manager with Morton before taking on the Managerial position at bitter rivals, St. Mirren. Spending three years at Love Street, Miller guided the Buddies to a Scottish Cup Semi-Final whilst also securing European Football during his time in Paisley. Those achievements saw him installed as Hibernian manager by 1986 where he went on to lead the Leith side to the League Cup in 1991 (beating Walter Smith's Rangers side in the Semi-Final).

After assisting Gordon Strachan at Coventry City, Alex headed back to Scotland's top flight but suffered an ill-fated year as Manager of Aberdeen. Similarly to his time at Hibernian, there appeared to be a significant element of the support who seemed unable to look beyond Miller's Gers connections. Anything other than an excellent start to life at Pittodrie was always likely to prove insurmountable.

Returning South of the Border initially as scouting director for Gerard Houllier, incoming Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez soon recognised Miller's coaching strengths were better suited in a different role and he was moved to first-team coach. Alex would win a Champions League medal as part of the coaching staff staff on that unforgettable 2005 evening for Steven Gerrard & co. in Istanbul. Following 9 years at Anfield and always seeking out new challenges, Alex headed abroad where he experienced spells in Japan, Sweden and Russia. Miller's last high profile role was in 2015 where he returned to St. Mirren briefly as caretaker boss following the departure of Ian Murray.

by Rick Plews