Neilly Gibson

Neil Gibson was perhaps the greatest player of his generation. There are few players who have the accolade as the world's best player but they were words often used to describe Gibson. The legendary Derby County Striker Steve Bloomer described him as the greatest footballer I ever saw. Hearts legend Jimmy Dixon said the greatest half back I ever saw or played against. Few hoped to emulate him. The greatest Half back of the Victorian times. Those last words from Ivan Sharpe the finest football writer of his day.
Gibson joined Rangers on 25 November 1894 he spent 10 years with the light blues and won every honour. 4 league championships, 2 Scottish Cups, 5 Glasgow Cups 2 Charity Cups and a Glasgow Exhibition medal. To this he added 16 International caps and represented the Scottish League 11 times.
Born in 1873 Gibson's first club were Larkhall Thistle joining them in 1890. He then moved onto Royal Albert and helped them to become Scottish Federation League champions. He also represented Lanarkshire against Ayrshire and was the most outstanding player on the park. It is reported that Gibson had many offers from clubs but William Wilton made sure Rangers would be his next destination.
Within a few months of being at Rangers he was selected for Scotland in games against Ireland and England. He played 157 league games for Rangers scoring 12 goals he also played 35 Scottish Cup ties scoring 10 goals. He was awarded a benefit game by Rangers in 1904 and shortly later left the club to join Partick Thistle. Many saw this as Gibson winding down his career but he spent 5 years with Thistle he was made club captain on the day of his arrival he took Partick to there highest ever league position and picked up another international cap. The last 2 years of his Partick career were hampered by injuries and when Thistle signed Welsh International Maurice Parry Gibson decided that it was time for him to retire from first class football.
But an obvious love of the game endured because he spent 4 years in the junior ranks with his old club Royal Albert and Wishaw Thistle.
The family business continued through his 3 sons Neil junior played with Thistle and Clyde William played in Andy Cunningham's Newcastle team that won the FA Cup and Jimmy played for Thistle and Aston Villa. Jimmy also represented Scotland most notable as a member of the Wembley Wizards.

Neilly Gibson was the greatest player of his generation perhaps the greatest Rangers player ever. not bad for a man who played in the same position as Jim Baxter. alas we will never know.