Rangers have had a plethora of footballing greats don the iconic Light Blue shirt throughout their 154-year history, with some of them excelling at right-back down the decades.

From Barcelona ’72 legends to modern-day record breakers, choosing the single greatest right-back to ever grace the Ibrox turf is no easy task given the incredible pedigree on display.

Rangers News’ pick: Sandy Jardine

Sandy Jardine is widely regarded as the best-ever Rangers right-back, and he gets our vote as well. Spending 17 years at Ibrox, the elegant Scot played a pivotal role in guiding the team to multiple league titles and domestic trebles.

He was also a central figure in the club’s finest hour – the 1972 European Cup Winners’ Cup triumph in Barcelona – and earned two SFWA Footballer of the Year awards during his legendary career. Inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame, Jardine takes his place as our right-back in the all-time eleven.

Making a case for Gary Stevens

Signed from Everton in 1988 during the Graeme Souness era, Gary Stevens brought international class to the Ibrox backline. The England international was a fan favourite who provided defensive composure and attacking drive throughout the glory years of the late 1980s and early 1990s.

During his six-year spell in Glasgow, Stevens was a key pillar of the team that kicked off the iconic nine-in-a-row run, picking up six consecutive league title medals. We expect the Englishman to be a popular pick among the Rangers faithful, as most have watched more of him than Jardine.

Making a case for James Tavernier

James Tavernier will undoubtedly be many modern fans’ pick thanks to his remarkable longevity and unmatched goalscoring output from defence. Arriving in 2015 during the Championship rebuild, the club captain cemented his legacy by leading Rangers back to the summit of Scottish football to lift the historic 55th Premiership title.

Boasting over 140 goals and assists each, and 565 appearances, Tavernier also captained the side during their memorable run to the 2022 UEFA Europa League final, finishing as the competition’s top scorer.

Making a case for Fernando Ricksen

Fernando Ricksen remains hugely celebrated by Rangers supporters for his passionate, wholehearted performances and versatility. Whether operating at right-back or in central midfield, the Dutchman’s fighting spirit epitomised the club’s values.

Ricksen enjoyed a stellar 2004-05 campaign where he captained Rangers to the dramatic “Helicopter Sunday” title victory, shared the SPFA Players’ Player of the Year award, and won eight major trophies during his six years at Ibrox.

Honourable mentions

Narrowing down the shortlist is no easy feat, and several other standout full-backs deserve special recognition. Pre-war legend George Young captained the famous post-war “Iron Curtain” defence to the club’s first-ever domestic treble in 1949.

In more recent decades, Sergio Porrini provided defensive grit during the late 1990s, while academy graduate Alan Hutton produced a sensational 2007-08 campaign that earned the club a then-record transfer fee.