Quintin ‘Cutty’ Young (1972 to 1976)
‘Cutty’ was born in Irvine, Ayrshire but grew up in the village of Drongan where his father worked the local mines. Young was a stand-out footballer at schoolboy level but grew somewhat disillusioned as a teenager, for a period turning his back on the game. Eventually persuaded not to let his talent go to waste, he joined Junior side Glenafton Athletic in season 1966/67 before turning out for Kello Rovers prior to making the step up to Ayr United, under the management of future Scotland boss, Ally McLeod.
With his exciting wing play, Quintin was soon attracting the attention of larger Clubs on both sides of the border but stayed at Somerset Park for two years before securing a £40,000 move to Highfield Road, joining Coventry City. Making his league debut against Derby County, Young established himself as the regular first choice right winger for the Sky Blues.
A direct winger, Young put his his work rate, dribbling and pinpoint crossing to good effect. A change in manager during the summer of 1972 prompted a desire for new signings and Rangers striker Colin Stein, fresh from his Nou Camp triumph, was identified as the top City target. With fans favourite Stein literally sent to Coventry, Young (valued at £50,000) and a hefty fee of £90,000 headed to Ibrox. With fellow 'Barca' goal scorer Willie Johnston also soon to be heading for pastures new, Young had the unenviable task of filling the breach. As promising as Young was, he was simply no match for 'Bud' at his brilliant best. Not many were.
Two days on from signing, Quintin made his Rangers debut on 7th October 1972 in a 1-1 draw with Morton at Ibrox, Graham Fyfe on target for the home side. Young’s first Gers goal arrived the following weekend, his early effort at Fir Park paving the way for a 2-0 win over Motherwell. A total of 16 goals during his debut season was an excellent return for a winger and there was real purple patch from just prior to Christmas until the end of March where he netted 12 goals in just 18 appearances (including the only goal in the Scottish Cup 3rd Round win over Dundee United).
Young also started both matches against Ajax, managing to find the net in Amsterdam in what was the pre-cursor for the now established European Super Cup.
The undoubted highlight of that debut 1972/73 season was the Centenary Scottish Cup Final victory over Celtic at Hampden. With over 120,000 in attendance, Rangers ran out 3-2 winners thanks to goals from Parlane, Conn and an iconic Tom Forsyth effort. It was Young's through ball that sent Conn racing towards Celtic's goal for the second. For the boyhood Gers fan, it was a moment to be savoured and with Jock Wallace joining the on field celebrations, Young and team mate Alfie Conn enjoyed themselves in front of the huge Gers support.
A League Championship medal would follow in season 1974/75 as Rangers clinched a first title in 11 long years, Young appearing in 28 from a possible 34 matches including 22 starts. There were a further 6 league goals including a double at Rugby Park and winners against St. Johnstone at both Muirton Park and Ibrox. Young was on the bench as the League was clinched at Easter Road on 29th March 1975, the all-important goal ironically scored by the man he had originally replaced.....Colin Stein.
Quintin’s fourth and final season saw him complete the domestic set as Rangers won the League Cup Final with another victory over Celtic at Hampden Park. On this occasion, it was Alex MacDonald whose goal separated the sides.
The opening league match of the season had also seen Rangers start with an Old Firm victory and it was Young who scored the winner after Derek Johnstone’s stunner (from Young’s assist) had cancelled out a Kenny Dalglish effort. Quintin showed typical perseverance for the winner, eventually shifting the ball on to this left foot before crashing an unstoppable effort in off the far post.
As the relationship between Wallace and Young appeared to cool somewhat, the player left Rangers on a free transfer in 1976 where he joined East Fife.
Retiring in 1980 at the age of 33, Quintin initially took the well-established route for ex-players of managing a Public House (his was located in Ayrshire) with little known involvement in football beyond his playing days.
In all, Quintin made a total of 114 first team appearances whilst scoring 37 goals in the process.
On April 24th 2026, the Club announced that Quintin Young had died, aged 78. A minutes applause was held prior to kick off as Rangers faced Motherwell at Ibrox in the weekend fixture.
by Rick Plews
