Hugh Burns (1983 to 1987)
The ‘Larkie Masher’ joined the Club as an ‘S’ form’ signing in the early 1980’s and his first team debut arrived shortly after the return of Jock Wallace as manager in 1983.
It was just two weeks after his 18th Birthday when Hugh would feature in a 2-0 win over Hibernian at Easter Road, replacing Sandy Clark in a match which saw regular right-back Jimmy Nicholl ordered off.
Burns would go on to make a further four substitute appearances during the 1983/84 league campaign whilst finding the net once in a 3-0 win over Motherwell at Ibrox. The weekend prior to his goal against ‘Well, Hugh had secured a League Cup winners medal as Celtic were defeated 3-2 at Hampden in what would be his one and only major final appearance with Rangers.
‘Shuggie’ started season 1984/85 in possession of the number 2 jersey as Wallace began the first full campaign of his second spell in charge with a draw at home to St.Mirren and a win over Dumbarton at Boghead. However, when Craig Paterson returned for the first Old Firm match of the season, Hugh dropped out with Davie McKinnon moving to full back. As 1984 drew to a close, Hugh was back in the first team and would feature regularly during the second part of the season. In all, he would appear in 15 of the 36 league matches in a disappointing campaign that would see Rangers finish 4th, some 21 points behind Champions Aberdeen. Although the league cup was retained, Hugh was out of the side when Dundee United were defeated at Hampden in what was undoubtedly the highlight of the season. However, the introduction of Burns, Ian Durrant and Derek Ferguson at various points of that campaign gave the Gers support some optimism for the following season. The Ibrox faithful had certainly more than warmed to the tough tackling defender and his attack minded attitude.
1985/86 would prove to be a season of mixed emotions for Hugh as he firmly established himself as first choice right back and was arguably our best and most consistent performer over the course of the campaign. He appeared in 35 of a possible 44 competitive first team matches including his first exposure to European action. However, it was a most unsatisfactory season for Rangers who finished empty handed, languishing 5th in a league of ten. UEFA Cup and Scottish Cup exits at first round (proper) stages had heaped pressure on Jock Wallace and he found himself removed from the hot seat by April. The season had begun fairly well and Hugh enjoyed a great moment in the Old Firm clash at Parkhead when he skilfully nutmegged namesake Tommy to then set up Ally McCoist for a straight forward opener. A sending off in a 3-0 loss to Aberdeen 4 weeks later threatened to derail his good work but he fought back into the side and started all of the final 15 league matches.
Although it was clear that incoming manager Graeme Souness would be looking to make wholesale changes, few would have predicted that Hugh would have little part to play going forward. Whilst left back Stuart Munro managed to establish himself in the ‘new look’ side, Burns was limited to just 5 league and cup appearances during 1986/87. After a spell on loan at Hamilton, Hugh left Rangers on a permanent basis going on to play for a number of Scottish sides including Hearts and Kilmarnock. In all, Hugh played 63 competitive first team matches for Rangers scoring 4 goals in the process.
Hugh remains a passionate supporter of the Club and is a popular figure amongst the Rangers fanbase.
by Rick Plews
