David McPherson (1981 to 1987) & (1992 to 1994)
Big ‘Slim’ first joined the Club in the early 1980’s and was just one of several ‘S’ Form players from that era who would go on to represent the Rangers 1st team. McPherson had been playing schools football for Crookston Castle Secondary in addition to turning out for Pollok United when he first came to the attention of the Ibrox giants. Rangers were just one of many top UK sides keen on his team mate, Billy Davies, and it was whilst monitoring Davies that McPherson caught the eye of the then Rangers Chief Scout. With Billy signed up, McPherson would soon join him training with the Youth Side under the guidance of Joe Mason and Davie Provan.
At 6’3”, Dave was a commanding presence and he could play full-back or centre-back across the right hand side. Although slightly awkward looking in possession, he was extremely effective when emerging from defence and surging forward into the midfield areas with the ball at his feet. Once in full flow, he took a fair bit of stopping and could be a valuable asset in opening up opposing sides (breaking the lines in today’s terminology)!
Initially farmed out to Gartcosh United to gain experience and benefit from full-time training, Dave returned to play regularly for the Reserves before making his full debut in a League Cup win over Brechin City at Ibrox in September 1981. Still only 17, his only other appearance in season 1981/82 came in the Scottish Cup win over Albion Rovers that following February. He would score a penalty in the 6-2 victory highlighting his confidence despite being such a young age.
Injuries to Craig Paterson provided him with further opportunities in season 82/83 and from the turn of the year he would feature consistently. His first league goal secured a point at home to Dundee in a disappointing 1-1 draw on February 5th, 1983.
Just three months later, Dave would start in the Scottish Cup Final with his old Pollok United team mate Billy Davies making a substitute appearance. Whilst there was no happy ending, the pair had come a long way in a short time and for Dave it would be just the beginning. The departure of John Greig and return of Jock Wallace as manager did not seem to halt his progress, he played in every league match of season 1983/84 and picked up his first winners medal in the League Cup Final win over Celtic on March 25th, 1984. Just seven months later he was back at Hampden for the 1984/85 Final, producing a man of the match performance as Dundee United were defeated 1-0 on a rain soaked Sunday afternoon.
The arrival of Graeme Souness led to a degree of insecurity among those being ‘inherited’ by the new player-manager but Dave was one of those to initially flourish. He formed a solid central defensive partnership with England captain Terry Butcher and played in all but two league matches as the title returned to Ibrox in 1987 for the first time in 9 long years. McPherson played a major role in this success, scoring 8 times and becoming an integral part of a defence that conceded a paltry 17 goals in 44 outings. A number of his goals were crucial ones, a winner at Tannadice and securing a draw at home to Hibs come to mind. However, the Cup competitions were less kind to Dave during season 1986/87 as he missed the League Cup Final win over Celtic due to suspension and was partly culpable for the goal which saw Hamilton shock us in the Scottish Cup (thus ending the shut-out run of goalkeeper Chris Woods). To the surprise of many, including the player himself, Souness agreed a summer deal with Hearts and Dave reluctantly headed along the M8.
With Graham Roberts already at Ibrox and with Richard Gough signing just months after Dave’s departure, it was clear that Souness was looking in a different direction but the manner of McPherson’s exit left a bad taste with the player, a lifelong Rangers fan. With Terry Butcher suffering a leg break just over three months into the season we can only speculate if the continued availability of McPherson may have seen season 1987/88 turn out more positively. Regardless, the move to Hearts was an outstanding one for him under the management of Gers legends Alex MacDonald and Sandy Jardine. They would finish runners up in the league (2 points ahead of Rangers) and McPherson would settle into his new surroundings effortlessly in the company of other ex Gers such as Hugh Burns, Sandy Clark and Kenny Black.
His time in Gorgie would be a great success as he established himself as one of the most consistent central defenders in the league. Rarely missing a game he amassed some 233 appearances in 5 seasons whilst continuing to find the net regularly (19 goals including 1 v Rangers at Ibrox). In addition, he was now a Scotland regular appearing in major Championships with 23 full caps to his name by the summer of 1992.
It was that same summer when Dave was given the opportunity to return to Rangers in a deal worth £1.3m. The ‘foreigner’ rule applying in European competition was clearly a factor of his return, but Walter Smith was fully aware he was getting a trusted performer and someone who knew the Club and its unique demands inside out. Season 1992/93 would go down as one of the greatest in the history of Rangers and Dave would secure a trio of winners medals. With Gary Stevens struggling with injury, Dave was often asked to perform the right-back role which he did admirably even if it was perhaps to the detriment of his own International career.
Dave struggled with injury problems of his own during season 1993/94, and the number of games and lack of rest beginning to take their toll. Another league cup medal was secured at Parkhead v Hibs (his fourth) and with 28 league appearances he had more than played his part in securing a third championship medal. Sadly, back-to-back trebles vanished in the 1994 final defeat to Dundee United when a mix up following Dave’s pass-back led to the only goal of the game.
His final appearance for Rangers came at Fir Park on October 22nd, 1994 as Rangers lost 2-1 at Motherwell. By the following weekend, Alan McLaren was lining up in blue against Celtic at Hampden with Dave having returned to Tynecastle as part of the deal. He became the first player of the 20th Century to sign for Rangers and another Senior Club twice.
Of course, despite being renowned for being a defender, Dave also holds the record of having scored the most European Goals in one match for Rangers when he famously netted 4 in Malta during an 8-0 victory back in 1983.
A truly great servant to both Rangers and Heart of Midlothian, it was fitting that the two sides met for his testimonial match in 1997. At the end of that testimonial season, he would secure another Scottish Cup winners medal, unfortunately at the expense of Rangers.
by Rick Plews
