Ross McCrorie (2016 to 2021) & (2026 to date)

A product of the Rangers Academy, there were high hopes for both Ross McCrorie and his brother, Robby, as they progressed through the various age groups at both Club and International level.

Ross’s first experience of senior football came in season 2015/16, former Gers player Ian McCall signing the 17-year-old on an emergency loan for Ayr United. The Somerset Park side would earn promotion to the Championship via the play-offs, McCrorie making 11 league appearances and scoring twice.

Mature for his age, Ross had captained both Scotland Under 17’s and Rangers Under 20’s his leadership qualities and versatility were valuable assets. Capable of playing right back, centre back or in central midfield, McCrorie demonstrated natural athleticism and a real competitiveness in his play.

Having committed his future to Rangers, Ross experienced a second loan move towards the end of season 2016/17. McCrorie’s destination on this occasion was Dumbarton, where we made 9 appearances in the Championship. His final appearance for The Sons came in a 2-2 draw at Tannadice on 29th April 2017.

By the Autumn, Ross had made the breakthrough into the Rangers first team. Replacing Bruno Alves in a midweek League Cup Quarter Final at Firhill, an injury time effort from Thistle’s Doolan forced extra time before Rangers progressed through goals from Candeias and Herrera. The performance of McCrorie caught the eye, and he was part of Caixinha’s starting XI for the weekend visit of Celtic.

With Caixinha sacked the following month, Ross remained a regular starter under caretaker manager Graeme Murty for the remainder of season 2017/18. His first goal came on the 5-0 league thumping of Partick Thistle at Ibrox and was part of the side which unexpectedly secured a goalless draw at Celtic Park towards the New Year.

However, a sending off the Scottish Cup Final defeat at the hand of Celtic was followed by a 5-0 thumping at Celtic Park just two weeks later as Murty’s reign came to an end. Ibrox was not a happy environment and even less so for a young player with the additional burden of representing his boyhood heroes.

With news of Steven Gerrard’s arrival breaking, Ross finished the season strongly with the equalising goal against Derek McInnes’s Aberdeen side at Pittodrie. His performance earned praise from McInnes and latest caretaker boss, Jimmy Nicholl. As disappointing as the season had been for the Club, on a personal level 24 appearances in Ross’s debut season represented a significant breakthrough.

As Gerrard looked to rebuild his squad over the summer, Ross achieved game time at the start of the season as he faced FK Shkupi, NK Osijek and NK Maribor in his first taste of European competition.

McCrorie’s first league appearance of the 2018/19 campaign resulted in second red card of his fledgling Rangers career, red carded after only 31 minutes against St. Mirren at Ibrox. Fortunately, Gers had already amassed a 2-0 lead and managed to hold on despite numerical disadvantage.

Ross would feature regularly under Gerrard, part of the side which defeated Celtic 1-0 at Ibrox on 29th December 2018 through Ryan Jack’s strike. However, the return of Steven Davis and the arrival of Glen Kamara in the winter transfer window would bring far greater competition to a Rangers midfield. Whilst McCrorie could operate in other areas, it was clear he was not going to oust James Taverneir and there was a feeling that he was not dominant enough to be a regular centre half.

Featuring on 31 occasions, Ross more than played his part during Gerrard’s first season in Glasgow and there seemed little doubt that the former Liverpool star viewed him as a more than useful member of his squad. When asked, Ross even took the gloves during the closing stages of a league match versus Hibernian when Allan McGregor had a rush of blood to the head. Few could have predicted that Ross would make an appearance between the sticks for Rangers before goalkeeper Robby, his twin.

As Gerrard continued to strengthen the squad with every passing transfer window, Ross joined Portsmouth in preparation for season 2109/20. He would make 22 appearances during his time at Fratton Park as Pompey finished 5th in the league before it was cut short due to Covid. Ross was an unused substitute as they lost on penalties to Oxford United in the play-off semi-final, second leg.

Many friends of Rangers were surprised when, on returning, Ross was then allowed to join fellow SPL side Aberdeen on a season-long loan. Therefore, there was shock when it became clear that the deal involved a guaranteed transfer to Pittodrie by the summer of 2021. In essence, his Ibrox career was over, and he would now settle down to life in the Northeast, initially under Derek McInnes. Interest in the Aberdeen player, Scott Wright, expediated the permanent move and both deals were concluded during the winter transfer window season 2020/21. Reports suggested Rangers had received a fee in the region of £350,000 for the player who had made 55 first team appearances.

Following three seasons at Aberdeen, Ross moved onto EFL Championship side Bristol City in June 2023. McCrorie spent a similar length of time at Ashton Gate during which time he amassed 89 appearances and scored 8 goals.

During his time at Bristol City, Ross earned his first full Internation cap with Scotland and was named in Steve Clarke’s 26-man squad for EURO 2024. However, having made only ne further appearance he was not part of group selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If there undoubtedly disappointment in failing to be included, that was surely lessened when news emerged of an impending return to his boyhood side.

With incoming manager Derek McInnes immediately reunited with his former Hearts captain, Lawrence Shankland, he was soon joined by another of his ex-players in Ross McCrorie. It would appear that the Club are making a conscious effort to re-establish a core Scottish identity within Ibrox. At the age of 28, Ross can hopefully now go on to enjoy the Rangers career many thought would have materialised, first time around.

by Rick Plews