Billy Dodds (1999 to 2002)
A man of many Clubs, Billy finally secured his move to boyhood heroes Rangers in December 1999 when manager Dick Advocaat brought the striker to Ibrox in a deal worth £1.3M.
At almost 31 years of age, Dodds was a vastly experienced striker in terms of performing in Scotland’s top flight having scored goals a plenty with Dundee, St.Johnstone, Aberdeen and Dundee United.
During those spells, he was no stranger to a goal or two against Rangers and his busy style of play would always draw attention. It is fair to say he was not someone who had ever endeared himself to the Rangers support in the past. That said, nobody could doubt his work rate and ability to find the net and so whilst he was clearly not the marquee signing supporters had become accustomed to under Advocaat, it did seem like a sensible move.
The arrival of Dodds had come about as a direct result of the injury sustained to Michael Mols. Michael had been in outstanding form since signing in the summer but the serious knee injury sustained in Munich the previous month had sadly ruled him out for the remainer of the 1999/00 season. All being well, it would have been anticipated that Mols would be back leading the line the following season and so there was logic in not breaking the bank for a temporary replacement.
Billy made his debut in the league win over Kilmarnock on 11th December 1999 in which he partnered Rod Wallace in attack (there can’t have been too many smaller striking partnerships over the years). Whilst he drew a blank in this one, his first Rangers goals were just around the corner as the following week we travelled to Fir Park and Billy scored twice in an impressive 5-1 win.
The final Rangers match of the millennium would come just 9 days later as the second Old Firm match of the season got under way. A victory for Celtic at Parkhead would bring them to within a point of Rangers (albeit Gers had 1 game in hand) and that looked on the cards as the home side hit the woodwork twice before Viduka fired them in front. However, Billy’s 27th minute equaliser gave Rangers the boost needed and a valuable point was secured.
His first Ibrox goal for Rangers came in March as Hearts were defeated in the Quarter Final. It was competition he would enjoy in that debut season, a semi-final hat-trick against Ayr United followed by a goal in the 4-0 routing of ex-club Aberdeen in the Final.
His Scottish Cup medal could now be added to the League Championship gong already secured. The title had been clinched during a 2-0 win over St.Johnstone in Perth before the month of April was out. It was two goals from Dodds that got Rangers over the line as Advocaat celebrated his second successive Championship. 15 goals in 17 starts and a League and Cup double represented a great first 6 months.
Season 2000/01 also started well for Billy as he notched his first European goals against Kaunas before making sure that the ‘flag’ day celebrations on the opening league fixture v St.Johnstone did not turn flat. His excellent goal in the first Champions League Group match versus Sturm Graz took him to 11 for the campaign by mid-September. However, the season would prove an extremely disappointing one for Rangers and Billy would find the net on only two further occasions.
Opportunities became more restricted in 2001/02 although Billy still managed 6 goals in 6 starts.
Dodds would leave Rangers in the winter transfer window of 2002, 3 years after his arrival.
His record of 34 goals in 46 starts was excellent although it should be noted he made another 38 appearances coming off the bench.
His return to Tannadice was part of the deal that brought Steven Thompson to Rangers as manager Alex McLeish looked to give the front line a bit more of a physical presence.
Perhaps not everyone’s cup of tea, it would still be hard to argue that Billy Dodds did not provide decent value.
by Rick Plews
