Terry Butcher

By Adam Robertson

September 25, 2020

Terry Butcher - No Nonsense Defender

The Souness Revolution of Scottish Football was in full flow in the Summer of 1986 and Rangers paid Ipswich £750,000 to sign the England Centre Half Terry Butcher in one of the biggest transfers in Scottish Football history.

Butcher arrived and immediately took over as captain leading the Gers to their first league title in 9 years scoring the title winning header at Pittodrie.

The following 1987-88 season was a tough one for Rangers and Butcher after a devastating leg break in November saw the Captain miss the whole season as Celtic regained the League Title in their Centenary Year.

1988-89 saw Butcher return from his injury and alongside Richard Gough formed a dominant partnership at Centre Back as Rangers romped to the title with Butcher playing 51 times that season.

1989-90 saw Butcher lead Rangers to a 2nd consecutive League Title and although there was brewing tension between player and manager, Butcher showed his worth on the pitch alongside Gough in a solid back line.

Butcher played his last game for Rangers in September 1990 after a brutal bust up with Souness regarding the manager rushing Butcher back from injury after the 1990 FIFA World Cup. The captain took over as Manager of Coventry City but left Ibrox as one of the most dominant and classy defenders ever to grace the Ibrox turf.

Terry Butcher was a no nonsense defender who put his heart and soul into every battle he faced and his move from England in 1986 was a statement of intent from Graeme Souness and there is no doubt that Butcher was the MVP of The Souness Revolution.