Robert Malcolm was a product of the Ibrox youth system, going on to make his full debut at the age of 19 when, in April 2000, he appeared in the final minutes of a 3-0 win over Dundee United at Ibrox. His first start came just over a month later, Rangers winning 2-0 at Rugby Park in a line up that included a rare start for Finnish defender, Tero Pentilla.
Whilst it was Dick Advocaat who handed Malcolm his first Rangers appearances, it was under Alex McLeish that Bob began to become more of a permanent fixture in and around the first team. The treble winning season of 2002/03 would see him make 33 of his total 115 appearances and he would feature in both the Semi and Final of that 2003 Scottish Cup trophy success.
Somewhat of a utility player, Bob could operate in central defence or even at right full-back although his preferred position was in the centre of midfield. Opportunities to play in that midfield role were certainly harder to come by given the level of competition for places. Bob's greatest attribute was his range of passing and, allowed time on the ball, he was capable of orchestrating play.
Not know for his goal scoring, he did manage to find the net three time for Rangers. The first of those came on 17th March 2001 when he bundled home a late winner at Fir Park in what was now a side struggling to keep pace with Celtic. An Old Firm defeat in the League Cup Semi Final at Hampden the previous month had been a particularly difficult night for young Bob.
Bob's final season at Ibrox was 2005/06 and it was a disappointing one for outgoing manager Alex McLeish. The highlight of the campaign was qualification from the Group stages of the Champions League and Malcolm was in the starting line up which drew with Inter Milan at Ibrox on the night this was achieved.
It was clear that Malcolm was not part of Paul Le Guen's plans and he would join Derby County, managed by former Rangers player Billy Davies. Promotion from the Championship to the Premiership was secured but following a poor start in England's top flight Davies was sacked and Malcolm quickly joined Queens Park Rangers on loan.
Returning to Scotland with Motherwell, Bob spent almost 18 months in Lanarkshire before heading to the other side of the world to join up with former team mates Craig Moore and Charlie Miller at Brisbane Roar of the Australian A-League.
At the end of his Australian adventure, Bob returned home and had brief spells as a players with Dundee and Cowdenbeath before moving into coaching with friend and former Rangers skipper, Barry Ferguson. They would work together at Blackpool and Clyde and most recently Kelty Hearts, achieving promotion from the Lowland League.
