Skip to main content
BBC SPORT / FOOTBALL
Graphics Version | BBC News Home
Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

15:15 GMT, Sunday, 26 October 2008

Former Scotland boss McColl dies

Ian McColl in season 1960

Ian McColl, the former Rangers captain and Sunderland and Scotland manager, has died at the age of 81.

McColl was a key figure, along with the likes of George Young and Sammy Cox, in the great post-war Rangers defence.

In his 15-year Ibrox career, from 1946-1961, he won six league titles, five Scottish Cups and two League Cups.

As Scotland manager, McColl won British Home Championships in 1962 and 1963 before returning to club football to take charge at Sunderland in 1965.

Rangers chief executive Martin Bain said: "We are saddened to learn of Ian's passing. He was a magnificent player for Rangers and a key member of the Iron Curtain defence in the post-war era."

Gordon Smith, the chief executive of the Scottish Football Association, said: "Ian McColl was a wonderful footballer for club and country.

"As a manager, he had one of the best records as Scotland boss and was in charge for some memorable victories - notably the win at Wembley and the fantastic result against Spain in Madrid.

"Everyone at the Scottish FA passes on their condolences to Ian's friends and family at this sad time."

McColl was born in Alexandria in June 1927. An athletic figure, he played for Queen's Park at just 16 and was signed for Rangers by Bill Struth, who admired his combative style.

After impressive performances at club level, he earned a call-up to the Scotland squad and went on to win 14 caps.

When McColl finished his distinguished playing career at Ibrox, he became manager of Scotland.

With players of the calibre of Denis Law and Dave Mackay in his team, he led his country to an impressive record of 16 wins in 27 matches.

On leaving the national set-up, he became manager at Sunderland for three years from 1965, where he signed Jim Baxter from his former club.

He is survived by wife Jessie, son Ian and daughter Aileen.



E-mail this to a friend

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Sport Scotland
Rangers FC
Sunderland FC
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC SPORT: 

Sport Homepage | Football | World Cup 2010 | Formula 1 | Olympics | Vancouver 2010 | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Athletics | Cycling | Motorbikes | Boxing | Snooker | Horse Racing | Disability Sport | Other sport... | Sports Personality | TV/Radio Schedule | Sport Academy | Fun and Games | Inside Sport | Northern Ireland | Scotland | Wales
Football Contents:  World Cup 2010 | My Club | Gossip | Premier League | Championship | League One | League Two | Non League | FA Cup | League Cup | Scottish Premier | Scottish League | Scottish Cups | Welsh | Irish | Europe | African Women | Football Focus | Match of the Day | Final Score | World Football | Skills | Laws & Equipment | Get Involved | Your Game

^ Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage | Feedback | Help | ©