Ralph Brand

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Brand had family connections to Glasgow as his uncle resided in Springburn. Brand's uncle was a Rangers supporter, and worked in the Govan shipyards. He signed for Rangers in 1952, after impressing manager Bill Struth, whilst playing in a schoolboy international against England at Wembley; Struth signed him on a provisional contract in the summer of that year. Having spent time on loan with juvenile side Slateford Athletic and Junior team Broxburn Athletic, in 1954, months he turned professional and made his debut for Rangers on 6 November against Kilmarnock, scoring two goals in a 6–0 win. He missed the next two seasons doing his national service. After his return in December 1957, Scot Symon had become the manager and Brand formed an effective strike partnership with fellow Edinburgh native Jimmy Millar, and scored 14 goals in 28 games over the course of the second half of the season. Having been joined on the left wing by Davie Wilson, his best season came in 1960–61, in which he played in all of Rangers' 34 league games, scoring 24 goals, and 44 in all competitions. These included five goals in Rangers' run to the final of the Cup Winners Cup, three of which were scored in an 8–0 victory over Borussia Mönchengladbach. Brand played in four Scottish championship winning sides: 1958–59, 1960–61, 1962–63 and the Treble winning side of 1963–64. He won four League Cup and three Scottish Cup winner's medals, the latter set achieved in consecutive…

Brand had a brief managerial career, taking charge of Darlington for 6 months from December 1972, then Albion Rovers between 1973 and 1974. After leaving the football business he worked as a taxi-driver.

Brand's son, Ralph Brand Jr., played a number of games for Rangers' reserve team in the 1970s.

As a player

Rangers

UEFA Cup Winners' CupRunners-up: 1960–61 Scottish League First Division: 1958–59, 1960–61, 1962–63, 1963–64 Scottish Cup: 1961–62, 1962–63, 1963–64 Scottish League Cup: 1960–61, 1961–62, 1963–64, 1964–65 Manchester City

Football League Second Division: 1965–66