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Academy graduate Gregg Wylde was honoured to win a League and League Cup double during Walter Smith’s final season in the dugout and the former Light Blues winger is now making his own way in the coaching world.
Gregg, now 34, has just completed his B Licence course alongside former Ibrox stars Danny Wilson and Scott Arfield at Hampden, the venue for the first trophy he won with Rangers against Celtic in March 2011.
He started that Old Firm League Cup Final and played every second as Smith’s men secured a stunning extra-time victory thanks to goals from Steven Davis and Nikica Jelavic.
Wylde went on to feature for the rest of the campaign as the legendary manager signed off in style with a 5-1 win at Kilmarnock and yet another championship.
It was a terrific period for young players like Gregg, Danny, Jamie Ness and John Fleck who were part of the squad and the following season – 2011/12 – began promisingly again with Ally McCoist, Ian Durrant and Kenny McDowall in charge.
Rangers beat Celtic 4-2 at Ibrox and remained unbeaten in the league until late November with Wylde continuing to play week in, week out and he also scored at Motherwell then Killie at Ibrox.
Administration would follow in February 2012 and Gregg played his final game for the club at Inverness Caley Thistle a few weeks later as he took the difficult decision to leave.
He went on to have a fine career and played in England for five years with clubs like Bury, Plymouth, Millwall, Morecambe and Northampton and featured for Aberdeen, St Mirren, Clyde, Livingston, East Kilbride, East Stirling and Dumbarton on his return to Scotland.
In a wide-ranging interview as he showed his support for The Rangers Youth Development Company – who have donated more than £12 million to the Academy so far – Gregg reflects on his time with the Rangers and life after leaving the Light Blues.
He said: “When I look back, I couldn’t have wished for a better career to be honest.
“I got the chance to train and play with so many great players at Rangers.
“Guys like Steven Davis, Davie Weir, Lee McCulloch, Sasa Papac, Vladimir Weiss and Nikica Jelavic.
“It was mad. Davie and Jig were in charge of the dressing room when I broke into the team and Walter Smith was the figurehead.
“The circumstances were just perfect for a young player to come into that team. It was one of the closest changing rooms I was ever involved with and we had a good blend of experience and younger players.
“We all looked after each other and were successful.
“I wanted to come to Rangers when I was starting out. I really wanted to be part of it and there were good players the same age as me – guys like Danny Wilson, John Fleck and Jamie Ness.
“We had a good Academy team and it was great for me.
“There were also great coaches there. I had Durranty, Tommy Wilson, Jimmy Sinclair and Billy Kirkwood and I couldn’t have asked for better.
“Then I got the opportunity to go and train with the first-team once a week, then twice a week and then it ended up being permanent.
“Things couldn’t have gone any better for me because Walter was the manager. He is a legend and it was even more special as he gave me my Rangers debut.
“I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to give me my opportunity in the first-team.
“He was so thorough with his tactics and you knew what your job was.
“He stood and watched training every day and knew exactly what was needed to win games with Rangers.
“It was great to be a part of it when he was there and I do miss those days.
“It was a successful team and we went on to win the League and League Cup that season.
“I made my debut the season before against Hamilton and it was great to run out in front of the fans at Ibrox.
“The next season I was really a part of it and it couldn’t have gone any better as we won two trophies, starting with the League Cup Final win over Celtic.
“I remember we played PSV Eindhoven on the Thursday and I had played from the start. I thought Walter was maybe just making changes ahead of the Celtic game but I started both.
“We stayed at Mar Hall in the build-up and on the Sunday morning Walter flipped his chart over and I was in the starting XI for Hampden.
“I was nervous on the bus going to the ground and in the changing but once I got out onto that pitch I was fine.
“I always remember Steve Davis told me if you are not nervous before a game like that then there’s a problem.
“My mum and dad walked with the fans up to Hampden and it was a great game.
“I played every second, I thought Walter would take me off around the 75th minute, but I stayed on and we won it in extra-time. Celtic had a good team too but we beat them.
“Winning the final and then the league with Rangers meant so much to me.
“I felt a part of it even though I was still a young player learning my trade. I learned so much from being around the squad and training and playing in the first-team every week.
“We won the league at Kilmarnock on the last day and it was special as we wanted to win it for Walter in his last game as manager.
“We beat Dundee Utd at Ibrox earlier that week in his final game there and he did a lap of honour in the rain after the game.
“We just had to go and beat Kilmarnock after that.
“Going 3-0 up after 7 minutes was incredible. We were on the front foot and couldn’t have asked for a better start.
“It was an unbelievable game and I was proud to play a part in the title win.
“Ally was the manager the next season and we actually started like a house on fire.
“I remember scoring my first goal at Motherwell then another against Kilmarnock at Ibrox and they were good memories.
“Then it started to take a turn for the worse and the club went into Administration.
“Nobody really understood how it got to that point but it happened.
“It is always difficult to leave a club like Rangers but I went on to have a good career and I never doubted myself.
“I played in England for nearly 5 years and I loved it. I enjoyed my time at Plymouth and got to play at Wembley.
“I played a lot of football in Scotland and England and worked with a lot of good people.
“I’ve learned a lot and now I’m going into the coaching side of the game as I want to give something back.
“I’m 34 now and I want to pass on my knowledge to young players coming through.
“It was on my mind for the last 4 or 5 years and I always took notes on how coaches went about their day-to-day.
“I did my C License last year and now I’ve done my B License. There were a few ex-Rangers players on the course too – Danny Wilson, Scott Arfield and Jason Holt.
“I loved my time at Rangers and I couldn’t have asked for a better career.
“It was a pleasure to train and play for the club and a lot of the youth players I came through with went on to have really good careers.
“I won two trophies with Rangers early on in my career and it was great to be part of. I’ll never forget it.”
Gregg’s career development was assisted by annual RYDC donations to the Rangers Academy and more than £12 million has already been provided.
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