Rangers were founded in 1872, and began competitive play in 1874. The team then participated in the Scottish Cup during every season for the rest of the decade. Though they did not win the Scottish cup during the 1870s, Rangers reached the final round twice.

1874–75 season

The 1874–75 season was the first season of competitive football by Rangers.

Overview Rangers entered the Scottish Cup for the first time and reached the second round where they lost to Dumbarton after a replay.

Between 1873 and 1879, Rangers played in their now traditional royal blue shirts and white shorts.

Scottish Cup

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance10 October 1874First roundOxfordA2–0M. McNeil, Gibb28 November 1874Second roundDumbartonH0–012 December 1874Second roundDumbartonA0–1

1875–76 season

The 1875–76 season was the second season of competitive football by Rangers.

Overview Rangers entered the Scottish Cup for the second time. They equalled their previous best in the competition by reaching the second round where they lost to 3rd Lanark RV after a replay.

Scottish Cup

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance16 October 1875First round1st Lanark RVH7–0J. Campbell (3), Watson (2), P. Campbell, Phillips30 October 1875Second round3rd Lanark RVA1–0P. Campbell13 November 1875Second round replay3rd Lanark RVH1–2M. McNeil2,000

Notes

Friendlies DateOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance11 September 1875Vale of LevenH1–118 March 1876ClydesdaleH0–0

1876–77 season

The 1876–77 season was the third season of competitive football by Rangers.

Overview Rangers entered the Scottish Cup for the third time. Wins over Queen's Park Juniors and Towerhill saw Rangers go one stage further than the previous two seasons as they reached the third round where they were given a bye to the fourth round. They then defeated Mauchline and Lennox to reach the semi-finals for the first time. With only three teams in the semi-finals, Rangers were the lucky ones to receive a bye straight to the final where they would play Vale of Leven. After two 1–1 draws at Hamilton Crescent, Vale finally overcame their opponents 3–2 at the original Hampden Park thanks to an 88th-minute winner from Robert Paton.

Scottish Cup

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance30 September 1876First roundQueen's Park JuniorsH4–1J. Campbell21 October 1876Second roundTowerhillH8–0Dunlop (2), Watson (2), Marshall (2), P. Campbell (2)November 1876Third roundBye9 December 1876Fourth roundMauchlineH3–0Watson, Marshall, P. Campbell30 December 1876Quarter-finalLennoxH3–0Dunlop, Marshall, P. CampbellJanuary 1877Semi-finalBye17 March 1877FinalVale of LevenN1–1McDougall 65' (o.g.)8,0007 April 1877Final replayVale of LevenN1–1Dunlop 20'15,00013 April 1877Final second replayVale of LevenN2–3W. McNeil, P. Campbell12,000

1877–78 season

The 1877–78 season was the fourth season of competitive football by Rangers.

Overview Rangers entered the Scottish Cup for the fourth time. In the first round, they set a new club record for the biggest win after defeating Possilpark 13–0. Wins over Alexandra Athletic and Uddingston saw Rangers through to the fourth round where they lost to defending champions Vale of Leven after a replay.

Scottish Cup

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResultF–AScorersAttendance6 October 1877First roundPossilparkH13–0*Ricketts, Hill (2), J. Campbell (2), Marshall (2), Watson (2), M. McNeil, P. Campbell (3)27 October 1877Second roundAlexandra AthleticH8–0Dunlop, J. Campbell, M. McNeil (3), P. Campbell (3)10 November 1877Third roundUddingstonH13–0Hill, J. Campbell, Marshall (4), Watson (4), McNeil (2), P. Campbell

DateRoundOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 1 December 1877R4Vale of LevenH0–04,000 15 December 1877R4 RVale of LevenA0–44,000

1878–79 season

The 1878–79 season was the fifth season of competitive football by Rangers.

Overview Rangers played a total of 7 competitive matches during the 1878–79 season.

Results All results are written with Rangers' score first.

Scottish Cup DateRoundOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 28 September 1878 R1ShaftesburyH3-0 19 October 1878 R2WhitefieldA6–1 9 November 1878 R3ParkgroveH8–23,000 30 November 1878 R4Alexandria AthleticH3-0 8 March 1879 R5PartickH4-0 22 March 1879 QFQueen's Park A1-0 29 March 1879 SF Bye 19 April 1879 FVale of LevenN1–1Rangers declined to play in a Scottish Cup replay after an unsuccessful protest with regard to the first match against Vale of Leven.28,000

1879–80 season

The 1879–80 season was the sixth season of competitive football by Rangers.

Overview Rangers played a total of 2 competitive matches during the 1879–80 season.

Results All results are written with Rangers' score first.

Scottish Cup DateRoundOpponentVenueResultAttendanceScorers 20 September 1879R1Queen's ParkH0–07,000 27 September 1879R1 RQueen's ParkA1–55,000

References

See also