Video HighlightsNICOL SMITH
Nicol Smith (1893-1905)
The story of Ayrshire man Nicol Smith is one of the saddest in Rangers' history.
One of Britain's top full-backs of the 1890s, he died tragically from a gastric infection in 1905, aged just 32.
Smith was already a Junior internationalist when Rangers signed him in 1893 and he didn't take long to establish his place in the first team.
A powerfully-built player, Smith was wholly committed and always put the team's cause ahead of his own personal safety.
In his first season his impressive displays helped the Light Blues secure their long-awaited first-ever Scottish Cup triumph when they defeated Celtic 3-1 in the Final.
His partnership with left-back Jock Drummond was arguably Rangers' finest ever and the pair won 25 international caps between them - a fair total for those times.
Sadly fate was to deal a cruel blow when in late 1904 Smith was struck down by enteric fever. He died the following January.
The story of Ayrshire man Nicol Smith is one of the saddest in Rangers' history.
One of Britain's top full-backs of the 1890s, he died tragically from a gastric infection in 1905, aged just 32.
Smith was already a Junior internationalist when Rangers signed him in 1893 and he didn't take long to establish his place in the first team.
A powerfully-built player, Smith was wholly committed and always put the team's cause ahead of his own personal safety.
In his first season his impressive displays helped the Light Blues secure their long-awaited first-ever Scottish Cup triumph when they defeated Celtic 3-1 in the Final.
His partnership with left-back Jock Drummond was arguably Rangers' finest ever and the pair won 25 international caps between them - a fair total for those times.
Sadly fate was to deal a cruel blow when in late 1904 Smith was struck down by enteric fever. He died the following January.
