Although founded in 1872, the first competitive Rangers game took place in October 1874, against Glasgow Oxford in the Scottish Cup. Prior to this, two games are generally recorded in the history books: a 0-0 draw with Callendar and an 11-0 victory over a Clyde team, both played on Flesher's Haugh at Glasgow Green.
The team line-up for the match against Callendar records ten names of the Rangers team, including the four founders: Peter and Moses McNeil, Peter Campbell and William McBeath, along with Hunter, Wm. McNeil, H. McNeil, W. McKinnon, W. Miller and J. Campbell. The Rangers continued to play matches on Glasgow Green until later in 1874, when the club moved to Burnbank.
Below we have published a number of match reports of games from this period, including several on the Green and a trip by "The Rangers of Glasgow" to Garelochhead in early 1874.
Click on any of the pictures to see the newspaper report in full size.
08/11/1873 - ROVERS v. RANGERS.-A return match between the above clubs was played on Saturday in Glasgow Green, the ground of the latter. The Rangers having won the toss, played with the wind in their favour till half-time. Some systematic play was shown on either side, the ball being repeatedly carried from goal to goal. A good run was made for the Rangers' goal by Mr. A.B. Hillcoat of the Rovers, and also by Mr. M'Neil of the Rangers for the Rovers goal, but neither were successful in securing a goal. At half-time, ends were changed, after which spirited play was shown, but darkness setting in, the match had to be stopped before time was called, and subsequently ended in a draw. Messrs. Stewart, Hillcoat, Henry, and M'Conchie, of the Rovers, and Messrs. M'Neil, P. Campbell, and W.D. M'Beth, of the Rangers, played well for their respective clubs. The Rovers played one forward short. Sides-Rovers: Forwards-J.H. Stewart (captain), A.B. Hillcoat, W.G. M'Conchie, E. Mitchell, Jas. S. Bell; half-backs-Wm. Morrison, Alex. Anderson; backs-J.G. M'Kinlay; Charles Henry; goal-G.B. Ramsay. Rangers: Forwards-M. M'Neil, W.D. M'Beth, John Campbell, John Ryburn, Wm. Thomson, W. Watson; half-backs-W. M'Neil, P. Campbell; backs-H. Anderson, P. M'Neil (captain); goal-John Yuille.
02/01/1874 - RANGERS OF GLASGOW v. DOLLAPERS, GARELOCHHEAD. -This match was played at Garelochhead (the ground of the latter), on Friday, 2nd January, 1874. Although the weather was somewhat showery, there was a large turn-out of spectators to witness the first match played under the association rules. Play commenced at 12 o'clock noon. Rangers having won the toss, chose to play with wind in favour. Dollapers having got the kick off, put the ball in motion; play commenced with great vigour, and some skillful play was shown by either side. The Rangers were victorious by three goals to nothing. For the Rangers, Messrs. P. and J. Campbell, D. Watson, and J. M'Phun played well; for the Dollapers, J.J. Hamilton, D. M'Phun, and A. M'Pherson done some good work for their side. Players-Rangers-Thomas Vallance, goal; W. M'Neil and J. M'Kinlay, backs; J. Campbell and D. watson, half-backs; P. Campbell, W.D. M'Beath, J. M'Phun, M. M'Neil, and P. M'Neil (captain), forwards. Dollapers-J.J. Hamilton (captain), goal; A. M'Intyre, D. Cameron, backs; Wm. Hamilton, A. M'-----, half-backs; A. M'Pherson, Wm. Jenkins, D. M'Phun, Wm. Ure, J. Woods, forwards; H. M'Neil, umpire.
10/01/1874 - RANGERS v. GRANBY.-Played on the ground of the latter, in Byars' Road, on Saturday. The ball, kicked off by Ryburn, of the Rangers, was returned by the Granby backs, caught by Moses M'Neil, and carried right up to the Granby goal, where, after an animated struggle, it was goaled by him. The second was got by M'Beth, the third by J. Campbell, the fourth and fifth by M'Beth, and the sixth by Ryburn-the match resulting in six goals for the Rangers to nothing. The Rangers played well to each other, keeping the ball nearly all the time about the Granby's goal. J. Hamilton and J. Stewart (captain) played well for the Granby.
24/01/1874 - RANGERS v. OXFORD.-This match was played on Saturday, on the Green, and resulted in a draw in favour of the Rangers. Rangers-Forwards, P. M'Neil, M. M'Neil, W.D. M'Beth, J. Yule, W. Thomson, J. Ryburn; half-backs, John Campbell, P. Campbell; backs, Thomas Vallance, J. Watson; goal, J. Rankine, Oxford-Forwards, W. Smith, J. Peden, G. Leggat, T. Alexander, R. Martin; half-backs, G. Mackinlay, G. Ray, W. Peden; backs, W. Ingram, J. Fawns; goal, A. Peden.
28/02/1874 - STANDARD v. RANGERS.- A match was played on Saturday between the above clubs on the ground of the former at Crosshill, and resulted in a draw in favour of the Standard, neither club getting a goal. Some fine runs were made with the ball by Mr. M'Nair (forward) of the Standard, and by Mr M. M'Neil (forward) of the Rangers; while Messrs. Melles (captain), J. Harrower, and Melross (forwards) for the Standard, and Messrs. P. Campbell, W. M'Neil, and D. Watson, for the Rangers, also distinguished themselves.
Follow-up letters from the umpire state this game was a draw in favour of neither side.
Early February, 1874 - HAVELOCK v. RANGERS.-A match between the above clubs was played on the ground of the former, Middleton Park, Paisley Road, resulting in favour of the Havelock by one goal, kicked by Mr. Turnbull, against none.
Early-mid February, 1874 - UNION JACK v. RANGERS.-Played on ground of latter. The goals for the Rangers were got by Moses M'Neil (3), W.D. M'Beth (2), J. Yuill (1), and the other goal was carried through by the forwards. F. Campbell got an eighth goal, but it was disputed.
21/03/1874 - HELENSBURGH v. RANGERS.-Played on Saturday, resulting in two goals for the Rangers to nothing.
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