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Ian Durrant

Ian Durrant (1984 to 1998)

The phrase ‘one of our own’ could have been written for Ian Durrant. The local boy who first trained with the Club as a schoolboy and who went on to make 346 competitive first team appearances scoring 45 goals along the way.

Although signed to the ground staff by John Greig, it was under Jock Wallace that Ian made his debut in April 1985 as Morton were defeated 3-0 at Cappielow (Ally McCoist scoring a hat trick in the game). He would remain in the first team for the final matches of that league campaign and missed only 6 league games the following season . Always the man for the big occasion, his first league goal came in another 3-0 victory, this time an Old Firm demolition of Celtic in November 1985. Whilst the emergence of Ian and fellow midfielder Derek Ferguson offered some hope for the future, it was not enough for Jock Wallace who would leave towards the end of that same season.

The arrival of Graeme Souness seemed to catapult Durrant to another level and it was his solitary goal on 31st August 1986 that gave Souness a vital victory in his first league encounter against Celtic as manager. Less than two months later Ian would again open the scoring in the next meeting of the two sides, Rangers this time coming out on top 2-1 to secure the League Cup. It was Ian’s first winners medal and he did not have quite so long to wait for his second. The championship was secured the following May and Durrant had missed just 5 matches in a gruelling 44 game campaign, netting 4 times.

Another League Cup winners medal was added in season 1987/88, Durrant scoring a wonderful second goal as we overcame Aberdeen on penalties (Ian also scored the decisive spot kick in the shoot out) during one of the all time classic finals. Whilst the league campaign ended in disappointment for Rangers, it had been an outstanding season for Ian who got into double figures in the scoring charts and who went one better than the previous season in terms of appearances.

Not surprisingly, the rumour mill was in overdrive that a big money move was on the cards for Ian but then disaster struck, his career hung in the balance just weeks into the new season when he was the subject of an appalling challenge at Pittodrie which would effectively destroy his knee. Ian would be missing from first team action from that fateful day on 8th October 1988 until 6th April 1991.

For most, the severity of the injury would have been the end of their career but Ian fought back bravely and it was fitting that he was on the pitch at full time on the final day of season 1990/91 as Aberdeen were overtaken and thus beaten to the title by just two points.

With Walter Smith now in charge, Durrant was managed cautiously during season 1991/92 as he looked to build up Ian’s strength and confidence following such a long lay off. He was used sparingly in another successful league campaign but, as was often the case, found himself in the starting line up for the showpiece game against Airdrie in the Scottish Cup Final. Rangers won 2-1 and Durrant now had the full set of domestic winners medals.

Although definitely not the same box to box midfielder he had been pre injury, season 1992/93 dispelled any notion that he was not still ‘top drawer’. in arguably Rangers greatest ever season, Durrant was back in the heart of it as Rangers went on a 44 game unbeaten run which culminated in the domestic treble and almost a place in the Champions League Final. Durrant would score another Old Firm winner (this time at Parkhead) as well as crucial European goals against Lyngby and Bruges in addition to his stunner in Marseilles. He played in both domestic cup final wins over Aberdeen and was man of the match in the Scottish Cup win at Parkhead. Another league cup final goal came the following season as Gers domination continued domestically with a 2-1 win over Hibernian.

As Rangers closed in on NIAR, Ian was again thrust into the first team when the chips were down, starting in the final Old Firm encounter of season 1996/97. Incredibly, he had not featured in a league game since 2nd November 1996 when the two sides lined up on 16th March 1997 in a game that was effectively the title decider. As always, he was more than up to the task, his goal bound effort being bundled into the net by Brian Laudrup to secure a massive victory.

Ian was awarded a testimonial in 1998 and there can be few more deserving of one, the heartbeat of the Club for so many years.

The summer of 1998 seemed like the natural time for Ian to leave Rangers and he rejected Dick Advocaat's offer to remain at the Club for at least another season, instead joining Bobby Williamson's Kilmarnock.  His great friend Ally McCoist would soon join him at Rugby Park and Durrant would thrive in his new surroundings, even forcing his way back into the International scene.

On retirement, Ian moved into coaching and was soon back at Ibrox passing on his knowledge to the youngsters within the Academy. The return of Smith and McCoist in 2007 saw Ian promoted to the first team staff and they would enjoy tremendous success in Walter's second spell as manager.

On leaving Rangers, Ian has been part of the coaching set up at Dumbarton, East Kilbride and most recently Kilwinning Rangers in the competitive Junior Leagues. He remains as popular as ever with Rangers supporters.

by Rick Plews

 

 

 

 

 

Stats

Competition
League
League Cup
Scottish Cup
Europe
Total
Starts
193
37
10
28
268
Sub
55
3
9
11
78
Goals
26
8
3
8
45
Other
58
14
14

Honours

Competition
League
League Cup
Scottish Cup
Europe
Wins
9
6
3
0

Ian Durrant

D.O.B
29 October, 1966
Signed
1 June, 1985
1 June, 1985 From Youths
Left
1 June, 1998
Kilmarnock
Competitive Debut
Morton v Rangers 0-3 20 April 1985
Appearances
346
Goals
45
Bio
Gallery
DOB: 29 October, 1966
Signed: 
Left: 
Competitive Debut: Morton v Rangers 0-3 20 April 1985
Total Appearances: 346
Competition
Starts
Sub
Goals
League
193
55
26
League Cup
37
3
8
Scottish Cup
10
9
3
Europe
28
11
8
total
268
78
45
Honours
League
9
League Cup
6
Scottish Cup
3
Europe
0
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