Willie Henderson (1960 to 1972)
A schoolboy star, 17 year old Willie Henderson made his league debut for Rangers at home to Clyde in March 1961. It was the first and only match that the incumbent “No.7” Alex Scott would miss during that 1960/61 Championship winning campaign (Willie would make 3 starts in total).
Although very different in terms of style, Alex and Willie were both outstanding wingers and they would compete with each other for a starting berth throughout season 1961/62. Willie managed 15 league appearances and also chipped in with his first league goal during a 4-0 win over St.Mirren in January 1962. Scott continued to be far more prolific in terms of goals, netting 7 in 23 appearances as Dundee edged out Rangers for the title. But it was Willie who started the 1962 Scottish Cup Final as he earned his first medal when St.Mirren were defeated at Hampden in front of 127,940 spectators!
By the start of season 1962/63, Willie was first choice outside right and Rangers would secure a League and Scottish Cup double as he scored 5 goals in 27 league appearances to claim his first league title whilst also clinching a second Scottish Cup with a thumping 3-0 win over Celtic (after a 0-0 draw). By the time the Cup was won, Scott had left Ibrox to sign for Everton (where he also won a League Championship medal) and the famous Rangers line up of “Ritchie, Shearer, Caldow, Greig, McKinnon, Baxter, Henderson, McMillan, Miller, Brand and Wilson” was born.
The domestic treble was secured in season 1963/64 and Willie would feature in 45 matches, scoring 6 goals as all three major trophies were secured.
A full internationalist by the age of 18, Willie would enjoy another rivalry whilst representing Scotland where he battled with Celtic’s Jimmy Johnstone for a place in the starting XI. The early part of the 1960’s certainly belonged to “wee Willie” and he would make a total of 29 appearances in dark blue (Johnstone amassed 23 caps).
Standing just 5’4” tall, Willie was one of the most recognisable and flamboyant players both on and off the pitch, a real fans favourite throughout his decade plus stay at Ibrox. Whilst the silverware slowed down during the second part of the 1960’s, he did continue to live life to the full and added a fourth Scottish Cup medal during season 1965/66 when Celtic were again defeated at Hampden (again after a 0-0 draw).
In all, Willie made 426 first team appearances whilst scoring 62 goals during which time he amassed 8 major honours. His final winners medal came in season 1970/71 as a young Derek Johnstone burst onto the scene by scoring the only goal of the League Cup Final win over Celtic.
Willie started in the 1967 European Cup Winners Cup defeat to Bayern Munich and despite playing a significant role in wins over Rennes and Sporting Lisbon during that ‘Barca’ run, sadly his Rangers career was effectively over by the time the trophy was finally secured in May 1972.
He remains a legendary figure and continues to lighten up the Matchday experience for thousands of fans at every home game at Ibrox. Undoubtedly one of THE all time greats.
by Rick Plews
