2010–11 Rangers F.C. season
Encyclopedia
The 2010–11 season is the 114th season of competitive football by Rangers
.
Both sides of the Old Firm
began the season with eight league wins in a row, however, with the sides meeting on matchday nine something had to give. Rangers claimed a 3-1 victory over Celtic
and took early control of the league. A 1-1 draw at home to Inverness CT
the following weekend ended Rangers 100% start to the season and a home defeat to Hibernian
inflicted the teams first league defeat of the season, the first of five. The cold spell in the winter of 2010-11
saw many postponements and for long spells Rangers were behind Celtic but with games in hand. In the third league meeting between the Old Firm
, Celtic came out on top and mathematical lead the table, for the first time that season. However Celtic's advantage was short lived after a loss to Motherwell the following week. This allowed Rangers to regain top spot, but 3-2 loss to Dundee United at Ibrox
followed by a 0-0 draw in the final Old Firm fixture left the title in Celtic's hands, with just four matches remaining. There was to be a final twist in the league season, on 3 May Celtic lost a rearranged match away to Inverness and so with three matches remaining Rangers had a one point lead. Smith's side went on to win all three fixtures, scoring 11 goals, and claimed the club's 54th league championship.
In the domestic cup competitions Rangers won the League Cup
after beating Celtic 2-1 AET
. However, Rangers lost 1-0 to Celtic in the fifth round replay in Scottish Cup
. The match was marked by several incidents, three Rangers players were sent-off and Celtic
manager Neil Lennon
and Ally McCoist were involved in a bust up.
In Europe, Rangers automatically qualified for the UEFA Champions League
group stages for the second season in a row. They drew Manchester United
, Valencia and Bursaspor
. Rangers were unbeaten in their first three group stage games, with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford
, a 1-0 victory over Bursaspor at Ibrox and a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia. A 3-0 defeat in Spain to Valencia followed by a 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United ended Rangers chances of qualifying for the last 16, but third place and a spot in the UEFA Europa League was already secured with Bursaspor having failed to pick up a point in five games. In the last group match Rangers drew 1-1 in Turkey, giving Bursaspor their first Champions League point. However, Rangers did make it to the last 16 of the Europa League, beating Sporting Lisbon on away goals in the last 32 but lost to PSV Eindhoven on aggregate.
On 6 May 2011, it was confirmed that David Murray
had sold his controlling interest in the club (85.3%) to Wavetower limited for £1, a company ultimately owned by businessman Craig Whyte
a lifelong supporter of the club.
Last updated: 15 May 2011
Source: Match reports
Only competitive matches
Last updated: 15 May 2011
Source: Match reports
Only competitive matches
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Manchester United
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Valencia
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Rangers
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Bursaspor
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Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
.
Overview
Rangers played a total of 55 competitive matches during the 2010-11 season. With financial problems at the club ongoing, the summer began for Rangers with several players leaving the club. With a limited transfer budget and a small squad. Walter Smith had to decided whether to increase the number of playing staff or improve the starting eleven, he opted for quality.Both sides of the Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
began the season with eight league wins in a row, however, with the sides meeting on matchday nine something had to give. Rangers claimed a 3-1 victory over Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
and took early control of the league. A 1-1 draw at home to Inverness CT
Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club are a Scottish football club from Inverness who compete in the Scottish Premier League. They are currently managed by Terry Butcher and assistant manager Maurice Malpas...
the following weekend ended Rangers 100% start to the season and a home defeat to Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
inflicted the teams first league defeat of the season, the first of five. The cold spell in the winter of 2010-11
Winter of 2010–2011 in Great Britain and Ireland
The winter of 2010–2011 was a weather event which brought heavy snowfalls, record low temperatures, travel chaos and school disruption to Great Britain and Ireland...
saw many postponements and for long spells Rangers were behind Celtic but with games in hand. In the third league meeting between the Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
, Celtic came out on top and mathematical lead the table, for the first time that season. However Celtic's advantage was short lived after a loss to Motherwell the following week. This allowed Rangers to regain top spot, but 3-2 loss to Dundee United at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
followed by a 0-0 draw in the final Old Firm fixture left the title in Celtic's hands, with just four matches remaining. There was to be a final twist in the league season, on 3 May Celtic lost a rearranged match away to Inverness and so with three matches remaining Rangers had a one point lead. Smith's side went on to win all three fixtures, scoring 11 goals, and claimed the club's 54th league championship.
In the domestic cup competitions Rangers won the League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
after beating Celtic 2-1 AET
Overtime (sports)
Overtime or extra time is an additional period of play specified under the rules of a sport to bring a game to a decision and avoid declaring the match a tie or draw. In most sports, this extra period is only played if the game is required to have a clear winner, as in single-elimination...
. However, Rangers lost 1-0 to Celtic in the fifth round replay in Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
. The match was marked by several incidents, three Rangers players were sent-off and Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
manager Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon
Neil Francis Lennon is a former footballer from Northern Ireland. He is the current manager and former captain of Celtic....
and Ally McCoist were involved in a bust up.
In Europe, Rangers automatically qualified for the UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
group stages for the second season in a row. They drew Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
, Valencia and Bursaspor
Bursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
. Rangers were unbeaten in their first three group stage games, with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
, a 1-0 victory over Bursaspor at Ibrox and a 1-1 draw at home to Valencia. A 3-0 defeat in Spain to Valencia followed by a 1-0 loss at home to Manchester United ended Rangers chances of qualifying for the last 16, but third place and a spot in the UEFA Europa League was already secured with Bursaspor having failed to pick up a point in five games. In the last group match Rangers drew 1-1 in Turkey, giving Bursaspor their first Champions League point. However, Rangers did make it to the last 16 of the Europa League, beating Sporting Lisbon on away goals in the last 32 but lost to PSV Eindhoven on aggregate.
On 6 May 2011, it was confirmed that David Murray
David Murray (Scottish businessman)
Sir David Edward Murray is a Scottish entrepreneur, businessman and former owner and chairman of Rangers Football Club....
had sold his controlling interest in the club (85.3%) to Wavetower limited for £1, a company ultimately owned by businessman Craig Whyte
Craig Whyte
Craig Whyte is a Scottish businessman and the owner of Rangers Football Club.Whyte first entered business in a plant hire company; since then he has branched out into security, manufacturing and property, before becoming a venture capitalist...
a lifelong supporter of the club.
Squad information
In
Total spending: £5.95mOut
Total income: £4.4mNew Contracts
Squad statistics
Top scorer
| P Football (soccer) positions In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These... |
SPL Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland... |
SC Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The... |
SLC Scottish League Cup The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by... |
E UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | CF | |
Kenny Miller Kenny Miller Kenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team... |
21 | 1 | 22 | ||
| 18 | CF |  |
Nikica Jelavić Nikica Jelavic Nikica Jelavić is a Croatian football centre forward who plays for Scottish Premier League side Rangers and the Croatian national team.... |
16 | 3 | 19 | ||
| 14 | CF | |
Steven Naismith Steven Naismith Steven John Naismith is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national team.Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock in 2004... |
11 | 3 | 1 | 15 | |
| 11 | CF |  |
Kyle Lafferty Kyle Lafferty Kyle Lafferty is an Northern Irishassociation footballer who currently plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League side Rangers and the Northern Ireland national team... |
11 | 1 | 3 | 15 | |
| 16 | RB Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
|
Steven Whittaker Steven Whittaker Steven Gordon Whittaker is a Scottish association footballer who currently plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national side.... |
4 | 2 | 1 | 7 | |
| 20 | RW |  |
Vladimír Weiss Vladimír Weiss (footballer born 1989) Vladimír Weiss is a Slovak football winger who currently plays for RCD Espanyol on loan from Manchester City.-Manchester City:... |
5 | 5 | |||
| 7 | CM |  |
Maurice Edu Maurice Edu Maurice Edu is an American soccer player who plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and the United States national team.- Early life :... |
2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | |
| 8 | CM | |
Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis is a Northern Irish association footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Northern Ireland national team... |
4 | 1 | 5 | ||
| 5 | LB |  |
Saša Papac Saša Papac Saša Papac is a Bosnian association footballer who currently plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and the Bosnia & Herzegovina national team.... |
3 | 3 | |||
| 24 | CB |  |
Madjid Bougherra Madjid Bougherra Madjid Bougherra is a professional footballer. He currently plays for Lekhwiya and the Algeria national team. He is a defender, who can also play as a midfielder.... |
1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 17 | CF |  |
El Hadji Diouf El Hadji Diouf El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for Doncaster Rovers. He can play on both wings as well as in attack. He has also garnered a large amount of notoriety for a series of controversial incidents.-Early career:Diouf started his career in France with... |
1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 29 | CF | |
Andrew Little Andrew Little (footballer) Andrew Little is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers. He is also a Northern Ireland international.... |
1 | 1 | |||
| 6 | CM | |
Lee McCulloch Lee McCulloch Lee Henry McCulloch is a Scottish association footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League side Rangers.He has been capped on 18 occasions by the Scotland national football team. During his career McCulloch has played for Motherwell, Wigan Athletic and Rangers as club level... |
1 | 1 | |||
| 40 | CM | |
Jamie Ness Jamie Ness Jamie Ness is a Scottish association footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premier League side Rangers.-Career:... |
1 | 1 | |||
| 15 | CF | |
David Healy David Healy (footballer) David Jonathan Healy, MBE is a Northern Ireland international footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League champions Rangers... |
1 | 1 | |||
| 21 | CB | |
Kyle Bartley Kyle Bartley Kyle Louis Bartley is an English professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League side Rangers on loan from Arsenal, as a central defender.... |
1 | 1 | |||
| Own goal Own goal An own net occurs in goal-scoring games when a player scores a goal that is registered against his or her own team. It is usually accidental, and may be a result of an attempt at defensive play that failed or was spoiled by opponents.... |
7 | 7 |
Last updated: 15 May 2011
Source: Match reports
Only competitive matches
Disciplinary record
| P Football (soccer) positions In the sport of association football, each of the eleven players on a team is assigned to a particular position on the field of play. A team is made up of one goalkeeper and ten outfield players who fill various defensive, midfield and attacking positions depending on the formation deployed. These... |
YC  |
 |
RC |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | |
Allan McGregor Allan McGregor Allan James McGregor is a Scottish association footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Rangers and the Scotland national team... |
2 | ||
| 3 | CB | |
David Weir David Weir David Weir is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and is a Scottish internationalist, as a centre back.... |
9 | ||
| 5 | LB | |
Saša Papac Saša Papac Saša Papac is a Bosnian association footballer who currently plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and the Bosnia & Herzegovina national team.... |
7 | ||
| 6 | CM | |
Lee McCulloch Lee McCulloch Lee Henry McCulloch is a Scottish association footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League side Rangers.He has been capped on 18 occasions by the Scotland national football team. During his career McCulloch has played for Motherwell, Wigan Athletic and Rangers as club level... |
7 | ||
| 7 | CM | |
Maurice Edu Maurice Edu Maurice Edu is an American soccer player who plays for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League and the United States national team.- Early life :... |
6 | ||
| 8 | CM | |
Steven Davis Steven Davis Steven Davis is a Northern Irish association footballer who currently plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Northern Ireland national team... |
2 | ||
| 9 | CF | |
Kenny Miller Kenny Miller Kenneth "Kenny" Miller is a Scottish footballer who plays as a striker for Cardiff City and the Scotland national football team... |
1 | ||
| 10 | AM | |
John Fleck John Fleck (footballer) John Alan Fleck is a Scottish association footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Scottish Premier League side Rangers.-Club career:Fleck began his career in the Rangers youth teams... |
1 | ||
| 11 | CF | |
Kyle Lafferty Kyle Lafferty Kyle Lafferty is an Northern Irishassociation footballer who currently plays as a striker for Scottish Premier League side Rangers and the Northern Ireland national team... |
8 | 1 | |
| 12 | DF Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
|
Richard Foster Richard Foster (footballer) Richard Martyn "Ricky" Foster is a Scottish footballer who currently plays as captain of Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen. Foster has spent most of his career playing as a right winger, but has more recently been deployed at both right and left full back... |
3 | ||
| 14 | CF | |
Steven Naismith Steven Naismith Steven John Naismith is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national team.Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock in 2004... |
12 | 1 | |
| 16 | RB Defender (association football) Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking.... |
|
Steven Whittaker Steven Whittaker Steven Gordon Whittaker is a Scottish association footballer who currently plays as a right back for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national side.... |
4 | 1 | |
| 17 | CF | |
El Hadji Diouf El Hadji Diouf El Hadji Ousseynou Diouf is a Senegalese footballer who currently plays for Doncaster Rovers. He can play on both wings as well as in attack. He has also garnered a large amount of notoriety for a series of controversial incidents.-Early career:Diouf started his career in France with... |
4 | ||
| 18 | CF | |
Nikica Jelavić Nikica Jelavic Nikica Jelavić is a Croatian football centre forward who plays for Scottish Premier League side Rangers and the Croatian national team.... |
6 | ||
| 19 | CF | |
James Beattie James Beattie (footballer) James Scott Beattie is an English footballer who currently plays for Sheffield United as a striker.Born in Lancaster, Lancashire he came through the ranks at Blackburn Rovers eventually signing professionally for them in 1995... |
1 | ||
| 20 | RW | |
Vladimír Weiss Vladimír Weiss (footballer born 1989) Vladimír Weiss is a Slovak football winger who currently plays for RCD Espanyol on loan from Manchester City.-Manchester City:... |
5 | ||
| 21 | CB | |
Kyle Bartley Kyle Bartley Kyle Louis Bartley is an English professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League side Rangers on loan from Arsenal, as a central defender.... |
1 | ||
| 24 | CB | |
Madjid Bougherra Madjid Bougherra Madjid Bougherra is a professional footballer. He currently plays for Lekhwiya and the Algeria national team. He is a defender, who can also play as a midfielder.... |
14 | 1 | |
| 40 | CM | |
Jamie Ness Jamie Ness Jamie Ness is a Scottish association footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premier League side Rangers.-Career:... |
1 | ||
| 41 | CM | |
Kyle Hutton Kyle Hutton Kyle Hutton is a Scottish association footballer who currently plays for Scottish First Division club Partick Thistle on loan from Rangers-Career:... |
2 |
Last updated: 15 May 2011
Source: Match reports
Only competitive matches
Coaching staff
Board of Directors
Other staff
Scottish Premier League
UEFA Champions League
UEFA Europa League
Scottish Cup
League Cup
Friendlies
Overall
Standings
Results summary
Results by round
Group C
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Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
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ValenciaValencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
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RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
|6||1||3||2||3||6||-3||6
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BursasporBursaspor
Bursaspor is a professional Turkish football club located in the city of Bursa. Formed in 1963, Bursaspor are nicknamed the Yeşil Timsahlar...
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