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FootballGreatest XISPL

Comparing Celtic FC Greatest XI v Rangers FC Greatest XI Of All Time

ST – Henrik Larsson

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Henrik Larsson is a Celtic legend who played a crucial role in revitalizing the club after years of struggle. Signed from Feyenoord in 1997 for £650,000, Larsson initially faced a challenging start but quickly became a star, finishing as Celtic’s top scorer with 18 goals in his first season. His first major trophy came in November 1997 when he helped secure the Scottish League Cup with a 3–0 victory over Dundee United. He also scored a powerful opener on the final day of the league season, clinching the championship for Celtic and halting Rangers’ pursuit of a record tenth consecutive title.

Throughout his time at Celtic, Larsson won four Scottish Premier League titles, two Scottish League Cups, and two Scottish Cups, while also receiving the European Golden Boot in 2001. He scored an astonishing 242 goals in 315 competitive matches, solidifying his status as one of the club’s all-time greats. Cherished by fans, he is fondly remembered as “The King of Kings.”

ST – Jimmy McGrory

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James Edward McGrory is often regarded as the greatest Celt of all time, renowned for his remarkable goal-scoring ability despite standing at only 5 feet 6 inches tall. His signature move was an almost horizontal, bullet header, earning him nicknames like the “Human Torpedo” and the “Mermaid.” Signed by Celtic’s first manager, Willie Maley, McGrory was initially loaned to Clydebank, where he scored 13 goals in 30 appearances. Upon his return to Celtic Park, he became the club’s all-time leading scorer, netting an astonishing 469 goals in 448 games, including a record 57 goals in a single season.

In 1928, McGrory famously turned down an offer from Arsenal to become the highest-paid footballer in Britain, choosing loyalty to Celtic over financial gain. The Celtic board, hoping to profit from his transfer, secretly reduced his pay, but McGrory remained undeterred, stating, “Well, it was worth it just to pull on those Green and White Hoops.” For him, scoring goals for Celtic was far more valuable than any monetary reward, highlighting his deep commitment to the club.

Now, let us look at the Rangers XI;

GK – Andy Goram

Andy Goram is often hailed as the greatest goalkeeper to don the Rangers number 1 shirt, renowned for his exceptional shot-stopping ability and remarkable positional sense. During the 1992-93 season, he achieved an impressive streak of 44 consecutive games without defeat across both Scottish and European competitions. Goram recorded 107 clean sheets in 258 appearances for Rangers, a testament to his outstanding talent. He was instrumental in the club’s last six championships during the famous Nine-In-A-Row period, providing a solid foundation that instilled confidence in the defense.

His career was marked by numerous remarkable saves, often leading to debates over whether he or Peter Schmeichel was the best goalkeeper in Britain at the time. Goram’s impact was so profound that former Celtic manager Tommy Burns famously remarked, “On my gravestone, it will read Andy Goram broke my heart,” underscoring his pivotal role in Rangers’ success and his ability to thwart opponents.

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SUBHAM

A sports addict! @subhamchaurasia

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