John McPherson (Scottish footballer)

John McPherson (June 19 1868 - July 31 1926) was a Scottish footballer who played for Kilmarnock and Rangers.

Born in Kilmarnock, McPherson started his career with his local side Kilmarnock F.C., moved to Cowlairs in 1888, then joined Rangers in 1890. He played mainly as a striker, but was often used in other positions including goalkeeper.,cite book | last = Lamming | first = Douglas | title = A Scottish Soccer Internationalists Who’s Who, 1872-1986 | format = Hardback | publisher = Hutton Press | year = 1987 | id = (ISBN 0-907033-47-4)]

McPherson played in the inaugural Scottish League season, 1890-91, where Rangers finished as joint champions with Dumbarton. McPherson's first recorded appearance for Rangers was in a friendly against English club Everton on April 19 1890, and he scored in a 6-2 defeat at Ibrox.

His first League appearance, however, was in Rangers' first ever Scottish League match, on August 16 1890 in a 5-2 win over Hearts at Ibrox, in which McPherson scored. McPherson scored 15 goals in Rangers' 18 matches in the League that season, including 4 in a 6-2 win over Cambuslang F.C. on August 23 1890 (the first ever hat-trick scored in the Scottish Football League) and 5 in an 8-2 win over St Mirren on October 4 1890.

Despite Rangers' successful introduction to the Scottish Football League, they had to wait until season 1898-99 to win the League title again. It was done in style as Rangers won all of their 18 League matches, with McPherson netting 10 times. That remarkable season was the first of four consecutive League titles and McPherson make significant contributions in all of them, scoring 9 goals in 1899-1900, 7 in 1900-01 and 3 in 1901-02 - which proved to be his last season with Rangers.

McPherson also won 3 Scottish Cup medals with Rangers, the first in 1894, where he scored in 5 of Rangers' 6 matches, including the 3-1 final win over Celtic at Hampden. McPherson also scored in the 1897 final, where Rangers defeated Dumbarton 5-1. His third Scottish Cup winners medal came a year later, 1898, where Rangers defeated McPherson's former club Kilmarnock 2-0. His final recorded appearance for Rangers was in a 2-0 friendly defeat to Glentoran U. on April 2 1902.

McPherson was also a Scottish International, winning a total of 9 caps and scoring 6 goals. He is one of four players named John McPherson, none of whom are related, to have represented Scotland at full international level.

His brother, David, was also capped. McPherson also played five times for the Scottish League representative side.

A qualified engine-fitter, John McPherson maintained a close association with Rangers after his playing years, serving as a director from 1907 until his death in 1926 at the age of 58.

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External links

*SFA Profile|id=113413|name=John McPherson