Meeting a hero

Beege

Well-Known Member
Q, What do you do when you bump into your boyhood hero and greatest ever Ranger, John Greig?
A, Stammer like a deranged fool, say "hello Mr Greig", pat him on the back and walk off.

What a complete diddy. Bumped into the great man on Buchannan St yesterday. Felt like a right tit when I walked away with my wife and daughter asking "who was that"? No pic, no handshake, no selfie. Opportunity wasted. lol
 
Met Sir Walter when picking mini me up from the summer football camp at Ibrox complex got a photo with him and the weeman then when it was my turn the weeman messed up and never got the photo. Gutted, got his pic framed though.
 
Richard Gough was sat in the row ahead of me at Selhurst Park once. I didn’t approach, the aura of being in the presence of a legend sufficed.
 
Have met many players through the years. Mainly at NARSA and some official Rangers do. Met Laudrup in Glasgow at NARSA, got a cracking photo of him with my missus, then gave the camera to her to get one of me and him. Her effort left a bit to be desired in quality, although I let her off as she got a good one of me and Gazza shortly thereafter.
 
Q, What do you do when you bump into your boyhood hero and greatest ever Ranger, John Greig?
A, Stammer like a deranged fool, say "hello Mr Greig", pat him on the back and walk off.

What a complete diddy. Bumped into the great man on Buchannan St yesterday. Felt like a right tit when I walked away with my wife and daughter asking "who was that"? No pic, no handshake, no selfie. Opportunity wasted. lol
3 boys from Cumbernauld missed the bus upto Dundee a few years back, car pulls up at petrol station, asked the boys if they were going to game they explained what happened, man said jump in I’m heading to game, the driver? John Greig
 
3 boys from Cumbernauld missed the bus upto Dundee a few years back, car pulls up at petrol station, asked the boys if they were going to game they explained what happened, man said jump in I’m heading to game, the driver? John Greig

What a cracking trip that must have been.
 
Sat in the departure lounge in Amsterdam airport and sat across from me was Mr Greig and his wife July last year. I didn't go up to him as he was on his hols and didn't want to disturb him but he must have known he was recognised cos i couldnt stop looking at the great man. :cool:
 
I got Graeme Souness to sign the inside cover of “A Manager’s Diary” for me outside Ibrox with high pitched line, “Can you sign this please Mr Souness?”.

I was shitting myself.

Meeting the players outside Ibrox during school holidays was wonderful. Trevor Steven and Mark Walters were great and would have a decent chat with you while they were signing stuff.
Terry Butcher, Chris Woods and Ally McCoist had all the patience in the world for supporters, especially youngsters.
 
I meet quite a few sportsmen, through my work, and i'm usually fine with them..however if i meet any Rangers player, past or present i'm like a lovestruck teenager.
 
Allan McGregor walked passed me at the Alea Casino on the night of last year's CL Final. All I could muster was a rather sheepish "Welcome back, Allan"
 
Met Jock Wallace in 1982 at the World Cup. What a character. Even bigger and more impressive in the flesh than on the TV. My personal favourite Ranger is John Greig but Jock Wallace comes a very close second.
 
Going to Valencia 2009 we met the full team coming through to go there gate (morning before the game) and me and my mate were getting pictures with players.

My mate got Walter and the picture is so bad with me trembling with nerves lol.

Also met the team on there Christmas night out in Newcastle in 2010 and ended up back at their hotel, myself one of the players and 2 others we met in tup tup.

I'll say no more but it is something I will never forget what a night and morning... :)
 
Not in the same category of hero, but when Carlos Cuéllar first signed he walked by me on Mitchell Street near Greaves, when he first signed.

I stopped dead in my tracks and just watched his curly hair and braces float by me.

I was trying to build up the courage to ask for a photo, but 17 year old me shat it from asking for some reason.
 
Met Stevie G in a bar and I was like a wee lassie asking him for pics.


Me- keep it cool and give him some privacy




Also me-

61tp.gif
 
Richard Gough and the great Sandy Jardine in hospitality back in 2010. Both absolute gentlemen, and I managed to have a conversation without embarrassing myself. I think it would be a different story if I ever met Sir Walter or Brian Laudrup though. I'd probably just end up sobbing and clinging onto their leg like a child, and security would be called.

Incidentally, after the hospitality game Broadfoot appeared and was signing everyone's programme "Happy birthday from Kirk Broadfoot" :confused: not the brightest.
 
I was walking past Ibrox on the day of a mid-seek game. It was mid afternoon and an evening k.o. I bumped into Willie Henderson at the subway. I had to approach my boyhood hero to tell him. I walked over, excused myself and said, "Hello, Mr Johnston, I always enjoyed watching you play". He informed me of my mistake and laughed,
but I felt like an arsehole.
 
I've met four of mine and have to say all of them were gentlemen,Willie Henderson,John Greig,Richard Gough and Graeme Souness,all a credit to the club.
 
You are not alone! He doesn't keep so well now, but my old man is a pretty big guy, nothing really phased him.

When he was in his 50's he saw Walter Smith at a petrol station. All he could do was to stare at him and when Walter clocked him managed to get out "Hello Mr Smith". Water just replied "You alright big man?"

Old man said he shat it.
 
Last edited:
Met the magnificent bastard Mr Souness at his book signing in 2017. Very friendly and polite. My photo with him I had a bit of a goofy grin though... :rolleyes:
 
Who is going to own up first and admit that if asking for an autograph you pretend it’s for your son/daughter/grandchild/nephew...
 
I had to phone Ibrox to get something changed. Who ever i got through to said ill put you through to Sandy Jardine as he is dealing with this at the moment. I was nervous as hell but within a minute he had put me at ease and we had a twenty minute conversation.
 
I had to phone Ibrox to get something changed. Who ever i got through to said ill put you through to Sandy Jardine as he is dealing with this at the moment. I was nervous as hell but within a minute he had put me at ease and we had a twenty minute conversation.
What a voice that man had. Calm, assured, articulate, polite. Just an absolute gem was Mr Jardine.
 
Its amazing how many of us have crumbled into jibbering heaps when meeting players. Just shows the respect we have for them and that they're idolised for pulling on the famous blue shirt.
I was walking through Edi airport having a very down to earth chat with Arthur Numan a few years ago after he had been doing some punditry the night before. We were heading to the same gate for a flight to Europe. As we passed the lounge I asked him if he was going in, he said he didn't have an access card so I had to say "see you later, enjoy your flight". C'mon it was free beer in the lounge!!
 
I am a big fan of the look and knowing nod if having a casual encounter with a hero. Saves you looking like a schoolgirl and avoids the disappointment of being blanked.

If introduced to them I try and keep it simple, "Pleasure to meet you". Coming up with something witty and debonnaire is difficult when your giggling like a wee wean.
 
Had to shout "awrite big man" and gave a thumbs up at a player whose name I blanked on.
It was Lee McCulloch. He did shout a warm thanks back at me.
My seat in Ibrox is at the exit to the Directors club and Stevie G has the first team players not on the bench sitting with the coorporates. Loads of selfies, great to meet them.
 
Met a good esavew ower the years and one o the best is dave smith guys a legend and so down to earth its unreal was drinkin in his company in vienna and hes a really funny witty guy great banter
I have seen Dave Smith play for us lots of times, but never actually met him in person , all my pals who have met him , say he is a great guy. and very down to earth,nice to see that tbh, because he was a great player for us, well played Dave Smith WATP
 
I was at the POTY dance last year. I wasn't overly bothered about getting my photos with any of them in the circumstances surrounding it so didn't approach any of them but I passed Jac Alnwick on the way to the toilet, mumbled something about the game that day and on the end of the sentence added "by the way". I still cringe about that to this day.
 
Back
Top