With his dreams of making it as a professional footballer now looking far less likely, Bobby returned home and found work whilst turning out for a local pub team which in turn led him to joining Juvenile side, Glencairn. A move to Shettleston Juniors was next for Bobby and he was soon attracting the attention of senior Clubs whilst his own side embarked on a Scottish Junior Cup run. By October 1976, Rangers had made their move with legendary Gers scout, Laurie Cumming, eager to get Russell back to Ibrox for a trial. There was never any chance of Bobby turning down a second opportunity to earn a move to his boyhood heroes and a deal was soon agreed whereby Russell would sign provisional forms, remaining at Shettleston for the remainder of 1976/77 before moving on to a professional contract with Rangers in time for the start of what would be a sensational debut campaign. Rangers paid a fee of £500 which must surely rank as one of the Club's best ever deals?
By the time pre-season arrived, Bobby had been spending one night per week at Ibrox (over a six month period) during which time manager Jock Wallace would put 19 year-old Bobby through his own unique training regime in order to improve his physicality. It seemed to pay dividends and soon he found himself ready to be part of the first team squad heading to a pre-season tour of the Highlands. Russell was on target during his top team debut against Nairn County. When the League campaign got under way on August 13th 1977, Bobby was again on the scoresheet but Rangers crashed 3-1 to Aberdeen despite Russell's 31st minute equaliser. Also making their competitive debuts at Pittodrie that day were Davie Cooper and young Billy McKay.
Russell was a right sided midfield player of exceptional talent, he possessed a deft first touch, was totally at ease on the ball and capable of outrageous moments of vision and creativity. At times, he seemed to possess an almost telepathic relationship with Davie Cooper as the two players would find each other with defence splitting passes. At their peak, both players would have easily fitted into the very best of Rangers sides.
Season 1976/77 had seen Jock Wallace fail to deliver any silverware only 12 months on from what had been a domestic clean sweep. Although known for producing sides with incredible strength, desire and fitness, Wallace now turned to the guile and craft of Cooper and Russell with Gordon Smith making up the final piece of the jigsaw, signing from Kilmarnock just two days after that opening day defeat. The trio would represent sensational business for Wallace but it was not all plane sailing. Rangers lost their next league game to Hibernian at Ibrox which led to some fans demonstrating against the Manager at full time. Trailing 0-2 to Celtic at Ibrox at half-time in the first Old Firm clash of the season, Rangers came storming back through goals by Gordon Smith (2) and Derek Johnstone to win the match 3-2. It was a season defining moment and the title was clinched on the final day as Motherwell were defeated 2-0 at Ibrox with Aberdeen finishing just two points behind.
Bobby had quickly established himself as a first team regular, making 48 competitive appearances whilst scoring 3 goals in the league. There was personal disappointment for Bobby when he missed the League Cup Final on 18th March 1977 due the effects of a virus. Rangers would emerge victorious from the latest Old Firm clash but the result paled into insignificance coming just days after the tragic death of Russell's friend and team mate, Bobby McKean. Sandy Jardine would kindly donate his winners medal to Russell and the midfielder completed the domestic set less than two months later when Aberdeen were defeated in the Scottish Cup Final. Not for the last time, Bobby's performance would see him named the man of the match on the biggest of occasions.
Under John Greig, season 1978/79 would see Bobby play in his first League Cup Final as Aberdeen were again defeated 2-1. Two replays were required in the Scottish Cup Final with Hibernian eventually overcome 3-2 (following two unforgettable goalless draws). Russell, once again, securing the MOTM award on the decisive evening. A hat-trick against Hearts was another personal highlight for Bobby but his first Old Firm goal was largely forgotten as Rangers failed to keep Celtic at bay during the showdown league clash on 21st May 1979.
European competition had given Greig some of his best moments as Gers Manger with Italian giants Juventus and the formidable PSV Eindhoven impressively dispatched in the European Cup. The 3-2 victory in Eindhoven will forever be remembered for Bobby Russell's goal which completed the scoring, his perfectly timed run to despatch a Tommy McLean pass was a moment of sheer magic. For the young Rangers fan who grew up in the housing scheme of Easterhouse, it was a dream come true and led to the title of his 2024 autobiography "From Easterhouse to Eindhoven".
Bobby's third season at Ibrox marked a pivotal moment in the career of the influential midfielder who, by now, was a firm favourite of the Gers support. During a European Cup Winners' Cup tie with Fortuna Dusseldorf at Ibrox on 19th September 1979, Bobby was on the end of a robust challenge which saw him struggle for the remainder of the first half. Having decided to try and 'run-off' the injury, Bobby emerged from the tunnel for the second half but quickly found himself crumpled on the ground with his knee having now given way. It would later transpire that he had suffered a nasty ACL injury from which he would never recover fully. It is to Bobby's credit that he continued to play for so many more years and to such a high level despite having to manage his knee problem and, to some extent, reinvent his game.
Rangers failed to mount a serious league challenge under John Greig (or the returning Jock Wallace for a second spell as boss) but there was further silverware. The Scottish Cup returned to Ibrox in 1981 with Bobby on target during a 4-1 replay win over Dundee United. The match is fondly remembered for the performance of Davie Cooper (dropped for the first match). Bobby's closest friend, John MacDonald, would score twice but it was the Cooper display that had the fans in rapture.
Although missing out on the League Cup Final in his debut season (as previously mentioned), it was a competition that was good to Bobby. He was also in the starting line up as Dundee United were defeated in 1981/82 & 84/85 Finals whilst Celtic came off second best in a five goal thriller during season 1983/84.
The arrival of Graeme Souness, and the incredible progress of talented young midfielders Ian Durrant and Derek Ferguson, marked the beginning of the end for Bobby after nine full seasons at the Club. The Championship would return to Ibrox at the end of his final season, just as it had done in his very first year. Whilst Bobby had played in the opening day defeat to Hibernian of that 1986/87 campaign, any realistic hopes of forcing his way back into the first team evaporated when he suffered another injury following a UEFA Cup defeat to Ilves Tampere in Finland. Sadly, it proved to be his final appearance for Rangers and was certainly not an ending fitting of his status.
On leaving Rangers, Bobby signed for former team mates Tommy McLean and Tom Forsyth who, by now, were in charge of fellow Premier Division side Motherwell. He would later be joined by Davie Cooper and the two would soon be rolling back the years at Fir Park. Just as had been the case at Rangers for so many years, when Cooper and Russell were on form then the Motherwell side were a true force to be reckoned with. This culminated in a 1991 Scottish Cup triumph for the Lanarkshire side. Whilst Bobby had helped them on their great run to Hampden, injury was finally catching up with him and sadly he missed that particular Final. Season 1991/92 would be Russell's last in the top flight.
Appearing sporadically for Ayr United, Arbroath, Cowdenbeath, junior side Cumbernauld United and also Albion Rovers, Russell finally hung up his boots some ten years after leaving Ibrox. On approaching their 60's, Bobby would continue to turn out in matches with former team mates John MacDonald and Dougie Bell....all for the benefit of charity.
Bobby Russell is a Rangers Hall of Fame inductee whose association with the Club continued after his playing career ended. Returning to Rangers as part of the youth development set up, he would spend another 12 years coaching across various age groups in addition to working in community schools football. This work would lead him to living in Canada for a number of years before returning home to Scotland. Incredibly, Bobby never managed to represent his country at full international level.
