Ronnietheranger
Well-Known Member
After some discussion about our former left winger Jimmy Caskie on the 'Classic Rangers Picture Thread' I came across an interesting article 'The Caskie Affair'. It's a lengthy piece, the link is below hopefully it works.
Briefly, it discusses the famous Rangers v Moscow Dynamo match on November 28th 1945 (as well as the tour in general) and the fact that the Soviets almost refused to take part in the tie due to the aforementioned Jimmy Caskie's name appearing on the Rangers team sheet. Caskie & Torry Gillick had both signed for Rangers and were registered Rangers players on Monday 26th November. The Dynamo officials would not accept Caskie's participation as his name had not appeared on an earlier list of players who might play. Gillick's name was apparently on the list as he had been 'guesting' for Rangers that season (remember this was just a couple of months after war's end). In the end Rangers waived their right to play Caskie and Charlie Johnstone who had played in 7 of Rangers last 15 matches took the field at outside left for The Rangers on that famous day. I found it an interesting read as I had never heard of the disagreement, the book 'Rangers - The New Era' mentions it briefly but makes no mention of the fact that the game was in danger of being called off because of it.
Briefly, it discusses the famous Rangers v Moscow Dynamo match on November 28th 1945 (as well as the tour in general) and the fact that the Soviets almost refused to take part in the tie due to the aforementioned Jimmy Caskie's name appearing on the Rangers team sheet. Caskie & Torry Gillick had both signed for Rangers and were registered Rangers players on Monday 26th November. The Dynamo officials would not accept Caskie's participation as his name had not appeared on an earlier list of players who might play. Gillick's name was apparently on the list as he had been 'guesting' for Rangers that season (remember this was just a couple of months after war's end). In the end Rangers waived their right to play Caskie and Charlie Johnstone who had played in 7 of Rangers last 15 matches took the field at outside left for The Rangers on that famous day. I found it an interesting read as I had never heard of the disagreement, the book 'Rangers - The New Era' mentions it briefly but makes no mention of the fact that the game was in danger of being called off because of it.