John Greig vs Borussia Mönchengladbach | CWC 1973/74 | All touches & actions

[Carson's Cat]

One for the aulder Bears. This game was played in Nov 1973. We lost the first leg 3-0 in Germany so had a massive hill to climb for the return leg. My memory of the match is that we played more open than usual and were undone by a couple of defensive lapses so, although we won on the night, we just had too much to do to get to the QF.

These aren't match highlights but some Bear has gone through the whole return leg and focussed on JG's contribution and assembled 11 minutes of compelling viewing. He was immense that night and was a much better footballer than even some Rangers fans give him credit for. Hope you enjoy:

 

[HillsBill]

Greig was a guy who always gave 150%. Would play anywhere he was asked. The perfect foil to Baxter. A true Rangers legend.

 

[lowerhuttloyal]

Big John loved a tackle.

 

[Modfella]

Brilliant mate thanks for posting.
The greatest Ranger indeed.

 

[MarkWalters11]

Barcelona bear, time to redeem yourself : )

 

[Ronnietheranger]

Thoroughly enjoyed that. Big Greig is my all time Rangers hero. Magnificent player and the heart of a lion.

 

[Beer Belly Loyal]

Greatest Ranger Ever. Absolutely!

 

[Carson's Cat]

Greatest Ranger Ever. Absolutely!

Hope you're well, china.

What I loved about that vid was seeing Greig as both a hard man and as a footballer. He did both aspects so well.

 

[Lairdo]

Fantastic synopsis of Mr Greig that evening.

A couple of observations - Mr Greig was adept with both feet; a rare European appearance by Doug Houston.

 

[Beer Belly Loyal]

Hope you're well, china.

What I loved about that vid was seeing Greig as both a hard man and as a footballer. He did both aspects so well.

He was a great tackler, he wasn't a dirty player but if winning the ball meant taking out the player too, then that's what he did.
Win the ball at all costs.

 

[bigTAM weeTAM]

Mr Rangers - Simply the best. Think we were missing a few? (DJ?) Germans were a good side. Thanks for the post mate

 

[billybatts]

That's my era and when I fell in love with Rangers, Borussia were a crack team

 

[Carson's Cat]

Fantastic synopsis of Mr Greig that evening.

A couple of observations - Mr Greig was adept with both feet; a rare European appearance by Doug Houston.

Well spotted - and when he was mentioned in the commentary I had to google him as I had forgotten he played for us.

 

[Beer Belly Loyal]

His testimonial in 1978 drew a crowd of 69,000. He was the first Rangers player to have a testimonial game.
We played a Scotland XI made up mainly of Scotland's World Cup squad under Ally McLeod. Rangers won 5-0, Greig scored two goals.
Six days later Rangers clinched the league, the following week Rangers won the Scottish Cup to complete the treble.
Another two weeks later, Jock Wallace quit and John Greig became manager.

 

[Teddy Casablanca]

John led by example. A club legend and rightly so.

 

[Carson's Cat]

His testimonial in 1978 drew a crowd of 69,000. He was the first Rangers player to have a testimonial game.
We played a Scotland XI made up mainly of Scotland's World Cup squad under Ally McLeod. Rangers won 5-0, Greig scored two goals.
Six days later Rangers clinched the league, the following week Rangers won the Scottish Cup to complete the treble.
Another two weeks later, Jock Wallace quit and John Greig became manager.

At the end of the pretty-dull 1976/77 season where we were runners up in the league, lost the SC and were pumped out of the LC and the EC my auld man chucked it for the last (and the really final final and this time I mean it) time.

I also started work so 1977/78 was my first time paying my own way to Ibrox. OK so getting pumped by Twente Enschede was a pisser but we were imperious that season and played some lovely football.

 

[Danger Zone]

Greig is well before my time so thanks for sharing because that was a brilliant watch. I feel lucky to have met the great man and got an autograph when I was a wean!

 

[Beer Belly Loyal]

At the end of the pretty-dull 1976/77 season where we were runners up in the league, lost the SC and were pumped out of the LC and the EC my auld man chucked it for the last (and the really final final and this time I mean it) time.

I also started work so 1977/78 was my first time paying my own way to Ibrox. OK so getting pumped by Twente Enschede was a pisser but we were imperious that season and played some lovely football.

It was really weird that season. As you say we won hee-haw the season before, the fans were becoming disgruntled again, two defeats in the first two league games - we called for Wallace's head, it was like "Here we go again" effin rubbish!
Went on to win the treble, happy days again, Jock was our hero, then he quit! Had to wait another 8 years until Souness and Smith arrived for the title.

 

[Carson's Cat]

Went on to win the treble, happy days again, Jock was our hero, then he quit! Had to wait another 8 years until Souness and Smith arrived for the title.

The broad and narrow straits of following Rangers, mate. I know you know this but it's good to point out to The Cubs (anyone under 35) that we have also had some lean years.

 

[johnnyseahound]

Thanks for posting, OP.

Fantastic performance from Greig.

 

[daviesmithsbookie]

Thanks for posting, OP.

Fantastic performance from Greig.

John Greig was everything a Rangers captain should be.