Season 1964/65 by Alistair Aird Season 1964/65 saw the end of an era for so many great Rangers players. For the likes of Ralph Brand and Bobby Shearer, it would be their final campaign as a Rangers player, and Jim Baxter would depart too, although he would return for a short second spell in 1969. The season kicked off with Rangers making serene progress through their League Cup section. Bracketed with Aberdeen, St Mirren and St Johnstone, the Light Blues won five and drew one of the six ties played. Jim Forrest, who had plundered a number of goals in the competition a year earlier, filled his boots once again, scoring 12 times. Included in his haul were hat-tricks against Aberdeen and St Johnstone, and he slayed the Saints again, scoring four times in a 9-1 win at Muirton Park. Dunfermline were disposed of in the last eight, and Forrest double saw off Dundee United in the semi-finals. And when the young striker notched another brace to edge out Celtic 2-1 in the Final on 24 October, the first of the three trophies claimed in season 1963/64 was back in the cabinet in the Ibrox Trophy Room. However, all was not well in the race for the league title. Prior to the showdown with Celtic at Hampden, eight matches had been played. Rangers’ record was two wins, three draws and three defeats. The first of those defeats had come at Parkhead – Celtic won 3-1 – and the others came against Dundee at Dens Park (1-4) and Hibernian at Ibrox (2-4). After the loss against Hibernian, Rangers were languishing in eleventh place in the table, seven points adrift of leaders, Kilmarnock. But the rot was stopped with successive wins over St Mirren (7-0) and Clyde (6-1), and only three points were dropped during a 12-match unbeaten run between 27 October and 16 January. That propelled Symon’s side up to fourth, six points behind Heats but with two games in hand. But the momentum was not sustained. Rangers lost 1-0 against Hibernian at Easter Road at the end of January and dropped points in six of the 13 games that followed. Symon’s side finished in fifth place, six points behind champions Kilmarnock. It was the first time a Rangers side had finished outside the top four since season 1925/26. And there would be no European football at Ibrox in season 1965/66 either. Seeking a record fourth successive Scottish Cup, Rangers defeated Hamilton Accies and Dundee United but came a cropper when they faced Jock Stein’s Hibernian in the quarter-finals. Captained by Jim Baxter, back in the first XI for the first time since breaking his leg in Vienna on 8 December, Rangers were behind inside the opening five minutes – Willie Hamilton scored for Hibs – but were level at the interval thanks to a howitzer from Roger Hynd. But despite probing and promoting from Baxter, it would be the home side who eked out the win, their right-back, John Fraser, netting the winning goal with two minutes remaining. This was also a landmark match for Jock Stein, it was his last before he joined Celtic. Baxter’s injury was arguably the turning point of the season. He was at his majestic best as Rangers defeated Rapid Vienna 1-0 in the Prater Stadium, but the leg break he sustained in the final minute of the match probably cost Rangers the European Cup. By the time they faced Inter Milan in the last eight, Baxter was still not fit enough for selection. Symon’s side lost 3-1 in Italy, and a 1-0 win at Ibrox wasn’t enough to turn the tie back in Rangers’ favour. Many feel that a fit and firing Baxter would have made a difference against the Helenio Herrera’s side. Interest in the Glasgow Cup was ended when Rangers fell at the first hurdle. The match against Celtic was played at Parkhead on a Friday evening, and a series of unfortunate events eventually saw Rangers eliminated. Goalkeeper Norrie Martin sustained a hand injury, George McLean did likewise, while Roger Hynd was carried off after sustaining an ankle injury. Thus, Rangers emerged for the second half with nine men – no substitutes were available at that time – and goalkeeper Martin playing as an auxiliary forward. Davie Provan took over in goal, and although McLean returned to the fold after 63 minutes, Rangers were always up against it. But with Davie Wilson excelling at left back, Rangers remarkably led 1-0 with 15 minutes to go. However, the Rangers resistance was eventually broken when Bertie Auld’s shot eluded Provan, and with 11 minutes left, Stevie Chalmers pounced to net on the rebound after Tommy Gemmell’s effort had struck the post. Celtic would defeat Queen’s Park 5-0 in the Final, the Glasgow Cup joining the Scottish Cup at Parkhead. The latter was Celtic’s first major trophy win since 1957. Sadly for Rangers, it was a portent of things to come.
