take away the numbness, the pain, the sense of loss that I feel right now.
Not only have we lost a hero and a legend, we have lost a truly great
Ranger. ³Super² epitomised for me, what a Rangers player should be. CLASS!
It is all the more tragic (if that is possible) in that he was still so
much part of us.
The sublime wing play we have witnessed this season, has constantly evoked
Cooper¹s image. Prompted the wistful thought ³If only the two of them had
played together²?
Deep down, we all expected him to come back to Ibrox in a coaching capacity,
sooner rather than later. He still had so much to offer us.
So where do you start in trying to pay tribute to Davie Cooper? I am clearly
unequal to the task.
Davie Cooper was the most gifted British footballer I have ever seen. As a
Ranger, the greatest compliment I can pay him is that he single handedly
carried Rangers in the worst Rangers team this century (league performance
wise) as much as John Greig carried Rangers in the late 60¹s and early 70¹s.
Cooper was our only glimmer of hope in those wretched years between Aug 78
and April 86. It was almost solely down to him, our sporadic Cup success in
the 80¹s before Souness arrived.
Would there be any point in trying to single out specific games and goals?
It could be argued that the 81 S. Cup replay and the Dryborough Cup goal in
79 were his finest hour. That is only because of the high profile nature of
these games. I could list a 1, 2, 3 of his greatest goals, but what is the
point? Anyone reading this could give a different list, equally as valid.
There are so many examples of his genius to choose from. It is well nigh
impossible to pick Œonly¹ a few.
So Davie Cooper has gone. His legacy will live on as long as there is a
Rangers Football Club. He helps us even in death. In our grief he has once
more united a support whose patience has reached breaking point with some
truly appalling mismanagement. A support which is now resigned to pitiful
performances by overpaid so called professionals. When we think of ŒCoop¹ we
realise the kind of excellence that should always be strived for. Who knows,
the memory of Davie Cooper may even galvanise (or shame) a squad of players
into giving us what we deserve in the remaining league games? (Laudrup
excepted).
I ask 3 things of the Rangers management to show how much Davie Cooper meant
to us, and the first 2 are minor and pretty cosmetic.
Firstly when (or if) we win this league, I would like the words ŒDedicated
to Davie Cooper¹ (or similar) embroidered on to the actual flag.
Secondly, Davie Cooper¹s family should be asked to raise the flag on the
opening day of next season.
Thirdly and most importantly. When you step inside the main entrance at
Ibrox, and look up to the top of the marble staircase, there is a portrait
of Alan Morton. In my opinion David Murray should commission a portrait of
Davie Cooper to hang alongside it. We would then have the two greatest,
skilful wingers Scotland has ever produced, side by side for posterity.
Davie Cooper¹s memory deserves no less. This would not be tampering with
tradition, merely adding to it.
Thank you Davie Cooper from the bottom of my heart for the joy you gave this
mere mortal. Thank you for being a RANGER. I would like lastly to pose one
question. Is Rangers Football Club today, a club going for 7 leagues on the
trot, any better off than the absolute shambles of a Club we were 10 years
ago that had Davie Cooper and nothing else? Winning isn¹t everything. It has
taken the tragic death of David Cooper to make me realise this.
The Govanhill Gub