Colin Stein

Colin Anderson Stein (born 10 May 1947) is a Scottish former professional footballer. He played for Hibernian, Rangers (across two separate periods), Coventry City, and Kilmarnock.

Stein was a key figure in Rangers’ 1971–72 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup triumph, scoring the opening goal in the 3–2 final victory over Dinamo Moscow. Rangers defeated Stade Rennais, Sporting CP, Torino, and Bayern Munich on their way to the title. He also represented Scotland and the Scottish League XI, netting nine goals in 21 international appearances. That tally included a four-goal haul in a 1970 World Cup qualifier against Cyprus, making him the last Scotland player to score a hat-trick until Steven Fletcher did so in 2015.

Born in Linlithgow, Stein attended Linlithgow Academy and worked as an apprentice joiner before starting his football career with Armadale Thistle. On 2 January 1971, during an Old Firm match at Ibrox, he scored a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a draw for Rangers. Shortly after full-time, barriers on Stairway 13 collapsed, causing a crush that killed 66 people and injured over 200 in what became known as the second Ibrox disaster. Initial reports suggested that fans returning after hearing the roar for Stein’s goal contributed to the tragedy, but the official inquiry concluded all spectators were moving in the same direction at the time of the collapse.

Later in his career, Stein played for Kilmarnock and, after leaving them, for Highland League side Elgin City. His elder brother, Bobby Stein, was also a professional footballer. Stein married Linda Smith in 1969, and they had a son and a daughter.