Neil Gibson (23 February 1873 – January 1947) was a Scottish footballer, who played for Rangers, Partick Thistle and the Scotland national team.[1]
.jpg) Gibson in Scotland kit, 1895 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Neil Gibson | ||
| Date of birth | 23 February 1873 | ||
| Place of birth | Larkhall, Scotland | ||
| Date of death | January 1947 (aged 73) | ||
| Place of death | Larkhall, Scotland | ||
| Position(s) | Wing half | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Larkhall Thistle | |||
| 1894 | Royal Albert | ||
| 1894–1904 | Rangers | 157 | (12) |
| 1904–1909 | Partick Thistle | 104 | (6) |
| International career | |||
| 1895–1905 | Scotland | 14 | (1) |
| 1895–1903 | Scottish League XI | 11 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editAdept at playing in either left or right wing half position, Gibson joined Rangers in 1894 from local Larkhall side Royal Albert, where he had been for only a few months after moving from Junior team Larkhall Thistle. During his time at Ibrox, he won four consecutive league titles (1898–99 (in which the team won all 18 fixtures), 1899–1900, 1900–01 and 1901–02) as well as the Scottish Cup in 1896–97, 1897–98, and 1902–03[2] plus five Glasgow Cups and three Glasgow Merchants Charity Cups.[3]
He moved to Partick Thistle in 1904, where he remained for five years.[4]
He was capped 14 times by Scotland between 1895 and 1905, scoring one goal.[5] Gibson also represented the Scottish League XI 11 times.[6]
Former Hibernian manager Willie McCartney stated that Gibson was "The greatest of my, and any generation following, in Scottish football", Steve Bloomer of Derby County and England described him as "The greatest footballer I ever saw", and Gibson's artistry led Harry Wood to dub him "Pavlova in football boots".[7]
International
editInternational goals
edit- Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first.[8]
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27 March 1897 | Ibrox Stadium, Glasgow |  Ireland |
2–0 | 5–1 | 1897 British Home Championship |
Personal life
editHis three sons, Willie, Neil and Jimmy, were also footballers, the latter a Scottish international.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ John Litster (October 2012). "A Record of pre-war Scottish League Players". Scottish Football Historian magazine.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Rangers player Gibson, Neilly, FitbaStats
- ^ Fans Remember Neilly Gibson, Rangers FC, 20 November 2019
- ^ Neilly Gibson, ScottishLeague.net, 18 February 2007
- ^ "Scotland player Neilly Gibson". London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ "SFL player Neil Gibson". London Hearts Supporters' Club. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
- ^ Rangers The Complete Record, Breedon Books, ISBN 1 85983 481 7
- ^ "Neil Gibson". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- ^ Hall of Fame | Neilly Gibson, Rangers FC
