Why Rangers FC remains a fan favourite through the years | OneFootball

It’s almost impossible to think about Scottish football without considering the Rangers. For more than a century and a half, this team has been drawing the attention of numerous supporters both nationally and globally. As a result, it has been rumoured online that the team has over 9 million fans.

Perhaps the most exciting part is that attending physical stadiums to cheer the team is not the only way fans can show support. While some supporters would resort to buying team jerseys, others go the extra mile to place wagers. All you need is a fun and trusted online sportsbook to reduce the risk of cyberattacks while maintaining a great user experience.

The unpredictable nature of odds improves immersion and engagement, making it possible for fans to connect more with their teams. But this is not all there is to the Rangers’ popularity. Over the years, it has adopted strategic measures to ensure its name remains afloat in the football sector. So, how has it been able to maintain its dominance despite the ups and downs?

A history written in glory

According to the Rangers Archives, the team holds about 55 league titles, the most a team has ever held in world football. As if that’s not enough, they have claimed the Scottish League Cup on 27 occasions, further highlighting their dominance throughout history. They also won their maiden league title over a century ago – in the 1890-91 season, followed by a recent league success in the 2020-21 Scottish Premiership.

Imagine being a young fan, standing among tens of thousands in Ibrox, and knowing you belong to a club that was first in the world to reach 50 first-tier league titles and win seven domestic trebles. Well, that’s what supporting the Rangers feels like. And it’s no surprise that some experts rank them as the second-most honoured football club worldwide.

In 2000, they made history as the first football club worldwide to reach the milestone of 100 major trophies. Fans consider such instances batches of honour, explaining why the team is pooling crowds of followers across the globe. Glory, after all, is addictive.

Top players who make the game engaging

A team can never make remarkable performance without top-tier talent. And that’s the case with the Gers. Players like Claudio Caniggia have helped change the face of these Scottish giants, positioning the team amongst the most celebrated clubs in the world. Caniggia came to Ibrox in his thirties, full to the brim with talent. In fact, he won the treble with the Gers in 2003 and helped Rangers beat Ayr United in 2002 by scoring two goals in the finals.

Even though Caniggia wasn’t as quick as he was in his early days, his importance at Ibrox could not be disputed. Gabriel Amato is another name whose presence at Ibrox helped the team win the title and Scottish Cup final. Looking back a few more years, there is John Greig, who goes down as one of the team’s hardest players. He, surprisingly, made over 750 appearances for the club and also captained it to the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup.

Those who remember Rangers’ 4-1 Championship League win over PSV Eindhoven can relate well to Dutchman Michael Mols. Known for his volleying talent, Mols seemed to have more time on the ball than anyone else. His outstanding first touch skills made it possible for him to glide past players as if they didn’t exist. Ending this list of some of the team’s best players is Ally McCoist, the team’s all-time top scorer. With a record of about 355 goals, Mols left the team having won 10 Scottish titles at Ibrox.

Rivalries and resilience

Talking about the Rangers is almost impossible without mentioning Celtic, their long-term rivals. In fact, this rivalry has moved from just being a 90-minute football match to something more cultural. Interestingly, just last year (2024), over 1.4 million viewers tuned into Sky Sports for the recent gripping 3-3 draw between the teams. Sky Sports has never witnessed such a record for any SPFL match before.

Of course, every football team would want to appear unbeatable to such a multitude, explaining why Rangers have become more resilient. This resilience could be one of the reasons fans have not stopped supporting them. When they faced liquidation in 2012 and had to restart in the Scottish lower divisions, some people felt all hope was gone. But it wasn’t the case because Rangers had one of the highest home attendances in Britain during the first season in the division. Clearly, Rangers’ fans weren’t going anywhere, highlighting how they have maintained their loyalty over time.

As you can see, it’s not accidental that Rangers have a large following. Since their establishment in 1872, Rangers have welcomed top players like Claudio Caniggia and Gabriel Amato, who have helped them make a name in the history of football. The pride of knowing you support a well-celebrated team also makes the Rangers attractive to supporters who love glory. This is without mentioning its long-lasting rivalry with Celtic, a battle that still attracts millions of viewers worldwide even today.