Davie Wilson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Wilson, a native of the mining village of Newton just outside Glasgow, was a Rangers supporter in childhood. On a visit to Ibrox Stadium he received advice from former star Alan Morton who played left wing, the position in which Wilson became established. As a teenager he was rejected by local Junior club Cambuslang Rangers for being too small, and instead began his career at Baillieston. He soon came to the attention of Rangers who signed him in 1956. Wilson made his first-team debut on 2 January 1957 just prior to his 20th birthday. He scored six times against Falkirk (a 7–1 win) on 17 March 1962, a club record which has never been equalled since (though Jimmy Smith had achieved the feat twice in the 1930s). He declined an approach from Everton for what would have been a British record transfer fee. Wilson departed from Ibrox aged 30, having scored a total of 159 goals in 382 matches in all competitions. He was naturally right-footed, and became adept at dribbling with either foot, crossing from the byline on the left, and cutting inside to shoot powerfully with his stronger foot or connect with through balls. He has since been inducted to the Rangers Hall of Fame. In 2017 Wilson became a member of United's Hall of Fame. In 2014, Wilson was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame, which he described as his 'greatest honour'. An authorised biography, Wilson on the Wing, was published in 2020.

In Their Own Story

On 17 March 1962, Wilson etched his name in history by scoring six times against Falkirk in a 7–1 victory, a club record unmatched since (though Jimmy Smith had done it twice in the 1930s). Just four days later, on 21 March, he scored a hat-trick for the Scottish League in a 4–3 win over the English League at Villa Park. Around this time, he declined an approach from Everton that would have set a British record transfer fee. The 1962–63 season saw another League and Cup double with Wilson netting over 30 goals, including four against Partick and one in the replayed cup final against Celtic. Despite missing much of winter 1963–64 due to a broken ankle, he returned for the Scottish Cup Final as Rangers completed their second treble. However, injuries and the emergence of Willie Johnston and Alex Smith limited his appearances later in the decade, with Wilson making only 21 outings in 1965–66.

Reader's Guide

Wilson was in the squad which won the 1961–62 and 1962–63 editions of the British Home Championship with perfect records, and also shared the 1963–64 title. He enjoyed three wins over rivals England, including scoring in 1962 at Hampden, and playing most of the 1963 fixture at Wembley at left back after his Rangers mate Eric Caldow had his leg broken (before the days of substitutions); he had also featured and scored in Scotland's embarrassing 9–3 defeat in 1961. Wilson also represented the Scottish League XI seven times, scoring three goals.

Did You Know?

• Wilson scored six times against Falkirk on 17 March 1962, a Rangers club record that has never been equalled.
• He declined an approach from Everton that would have been a British record transfer fee.
• Wilson was a lifelong teetotaler and non-smoker, and kept racing pigeons in his spare time.
• He was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame in 2014, which he called his 'greatest honour'.