Stuart Beattie (1985 to 1987)
Central defender Stuart Beattie signed for his boyhood heroes in April 1985 after impressing whilst playing for the U-18 side during a tournament in West Germany.
His initial taste of competitive first team action came in the Glasgow Cup Final just 5 months after signing, Queens Park being defeated 5-0 at Hampden with Cammy Fraser scoring an unlikely hat-trick. Stuart would replace Davie McFarlane in what was a strong Rangers line-up: Andy Bruce, Colin Miller, Ally Dawson, Derek Johnstone, McFarlane, Billy Davies, Fraser, Derek Ferguson, Ally McCoist, Iain Ferguson and Ted McMinn.
He did not have too long to wait for his first start, Hibernian providing the opposition in a league clash at Ibrox on 19th October 1985. At just 18 years of age, Stuart took his place in the heart of the Rangers back four and, whilst a late Davie Cooper penalty was not enough to salvage a point, it was a moment never to be forgotten for Stuart. The Hibs side included Gordon Durie and Iain Munro.
His next first team appearance was a happier occasion for the team as Motherwell were defeated 1-0 at Ibrox, Ally McCoist netting the only goal five minutes after the interval.
Stuart would make 5 league starts in total in what was a difficult season for the Club. His final appearance came in a 2-1 defeat at Dens Park where a John Brown penalty secured victory for the Dundee.
Whilst Stuart remained at Ibrox following the arrival of Graeme Souness, he found himself back in the Reserves and by Christmas was on his way to England where he joined Doncaster Rovers. After a promising start to his career South of the border, Stuart sustained a serious back injury which would tragically cut short his professional career at the age of just 20.
After further surgery, he was able to make a brief return to football turning out in the junior leagues but was forced to quit on medical advice.
In April 1996, a Rangers XI provided the opposition for an Ayrshire Junior select side in Stuart’s benefit match at Ardeer Stadium, Stevenston.
by Rick Plews
