MANUFACTURED BY UMBRO
#8
MATCH WORN
An overlapping white round neck collar with just blue trim was one of the main changes on this shirt as Rangers dispensed with the white pinstripes to return to a traditional plain royal blue shirt. The player version as ever carried the same specification stitched crest and Umbro logo, as well as the fabric being a heavier weight lined inside with a thin layer of cotton.
The biggest change however was the introduction of a permanent sponsor for the first time ever in September 1984, with the name of double glazing giants CR Smith printed in white across the front.
Despite winning the Scottish League Cup Final in 1984/85, it was still a pretty dark period for Rangers, up until April 1986 when it announced that Graeme Souness would take over as player manager. In his first season in charge, Souness guided Rangers to a 2-1 vistory over their bitterest rivals to win the Scottish League Cup, and followed it up by guiding Rangers to their first League title since 1978.
The beginning of the Souness revolution alone has cemented this shirt as one of the most iconic in Rangers’ history.
This particular shirt features the Umbro diamond with ‘umbro’ embroidered below, a version believed to be one of the earlier releases of the shirt. It was sourced directly from a prominent Rangers collector.