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Ally McCoist

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Ally McCoist
OBE
McCoist in 1994
Personal information
Full name Alistair Murdoch McCoist[1]
Date of birth (1962-09-24)24 September 1962(age 61)[1]
Place of birth Bellshill,Scotland
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
0000–1978 Fir Park Boys Club
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1981 St Johnstone 57 (22)
1981–1983 Sunderland 56 (8)
1983–1998 Rangers 418 (251)
1998–2001 Kilmarnock 53 (9)
Total 584 (290)
International career
1980–1981 Scotland U19 10 (7)
1983 Scotland U21 1 (0)
1986–1998 Scotland 61 (19)
1990[2] SFA (SFL centenary) 1 (0)
Managerial career
2011–2014 Rangers
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Alistair Murdoch McCoistOBE(/məˈkɔɪst/;born 24 September 1962) is a Scottish formerfootballerwho has since worked as amanagerand TV pundit.

McCoist began his playing career with Scottish clubSt Johnstone,before moving to English sideSunderlandin 1981. He returned to his homeland two years later, signing withRangers.McCoist had a highly successful career with Rangers, becoming the club's record goalscorer and winningnine successive league championshipsbetween 1988–89 and 1996–97. He later played forKilmarnock.

McCoist was inducted into theScottish Sports Hall of Famein 2007. He is also a member of theScotland Football Hall of Fame,having gained 61 international caps. A prolificstriker,he is the fifth-highest all-time goalscorer in the top tier of theScottish football league system,having scored 260 times for Rangers and Kilmarnock between 1983 and 2001.

Towards the end of his playing career, McCoist started his media career. Between 1996 and 2007, he was a team captain on the BBC sports quizA Question of Sport.He began to scale back his media commitments in 2007, when he became an assistant manager toWalter Smithat Rangers. He succeeded Smith as Rangers manager in 2011, but the club then suffered from serious financial difficulties.Rangers went into liquidationin 2012 and the club was placed in thefourth tierof Scottish league football. McCoist helped them win successive promotions to the second tier, but after a poor start to the 2014–15 season McCoist handed in his 12-months' notice in December 2014 and was placed ongardening leave.In September 2015, McCoist and Rangers mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

Early life[edit]

Born atBellshill Maternity Hospital[3]and raised inEast Kilbride,[4]McCoist attendedMaxwellton PrimaryandHunter High School.His high-school team coach and chemistry teacher was formerClydeandScotlandforwardArchie Robertson,who was acknowledged by McCoist for his guidance and influence,[5]but who died in 1978 just as his protégé's career was taking off.[4]Upon leaving school, McCoist had a short spell working as a clerical assistant in theOverseas Development Agency(now the Department for International Development) branch office atHairmyres.The role offered flexible working arrangements, allowing him to organise his hours around his football career.[6]

Playing career[edit]

St Johnstone[edit]

McCoist's first professional club wasSt Johnstone,having signed from Fir Park Boys Club in 1978. He had been denied a move toSt MirrenbecauseAlex Fergusonthought he was not good enough. "When I was 14, 15, Sir Alex used to pick me up from school. I used to go to Hunter High in East Kilbride, and he stayed up inGreenhills,I think it was, in East Kilbride. And he used to pick me up – myself and another lad,Stevie Cowan,who hedidsign at St Mirren and went toAberdeenwith him. We'd train with the S-forms, and Sir Alex would take the training with the first team and the reserves. And then Stevie and I would wait, and Sir Alex would give us a couple of quid and we'd nip round to thechippiein Love Street. We'd go back and wait for Sir Alex finishing, and then he would drop us off at the house. "[7]

McCoist made his debut for St Johnstone on 7 April 1979 in a 3–0 win overRaith Rovers.[8]He did not score his first goal for the club until he scored Saints' final goal in a 3–0 win againstDumbartonin August 1980.[8]He went on to score 23 goals in 43 appearances that season, including a consolation againstRangersin a 3–1 defeat in Scottish Cup replay.[9][10]

Due to his form with both St Johnstone and the Scotland under-18 side, McCoist gained the attention of several English clubs, includingSunderland,Wolverhampton Wanderers,MiddlesbroughandTottenham Hotspur.

He started the1981–82 seasonwith four goals in fiveLeague Cupgames including the opening goal in a 2–0 win overCelticatMuirton Park[11]and the consolation in a 4–1 defeat in the corresponding fixture atParkhead.[12]

Sunderland[edit]

Sunderland managerAlan Durbansigned McCoist in August 1981.[10]The £400,000 transfer fee spent on the striker made him Sunderland's record signing.[13]McCoist's time at Sunderland was unsuccessful, however: he scored nine goals in 65 appearances for a side struggling at the foot of the English First Division. He managed two goals during the1981–82 season,his first coming againstNottingham Forestand his second a curling effort from the edge of the box againstSouthampton.[13]

Three goals in three pre-season games againstDundee,Dunfermline Athleticand former team St Johnstone, were followed by a goal against European championsAston Villaon the opening day of the1982–83in a 3–1 win. He followed this up with a goal againstBrighton & Hove Albion,meaning he had matched his previous season's tally midway through September.[13]

October 1982 proved to be the highlight of McCoist's spell with Sunderland, as he scored five goals in as many games againstNorwich City,Southampton,Manchester City,Evertonand Wolverhampton Wanderers. With seven goals scored by the end of October, McCoist failed to score another goal in a Sunderland shirt. Despite this, he finished third-top scorer for Sunderland in 1982–83, one goal behindNick Pickering.[13]

In early 1983, Alan Durban invited McCoist into his office and informed him that Rangers'John Greighad called him with an interest in signing the player. "He said, 'Do you fancy it?'" recalled McCoist. "And I said, 'Aye. I've got to be honest with you.' He said, 'I think you should go, for the simple fact that I don't think I'll be here in three or four months.' Sure enough, he got the sack relatively soon after that."[7]

Rangers[edit]

At the end of the 1982–83 season, McCoist returned to Scotland and joined Rangers for a fee of £185,000.[13][14][15]On his dream move, McCoist recalled: "I metJohn GreigandTommy McLeanat theCrest Hotel,at the roundabout inCarlisle.I went to apayphoneand phoned my wee grannie inThornliebank.First person I phoned. I can still hear her – obviously not with us now – but I can still hear her voice down the phone. You could have given her a million pounds and it wouldn't have meant just as much. "[7]

During his fifteen years with Rangers, McCoist achieved an array of honours, including tenleague championshipmedals. This began with a title in the1986–87 seasonand included the whole"Nine in a Row"period between 1989 and 1997. He also won aScottish Cupwinners' medal and nineScottish League Cupwinners' medals. He was the first player to beEurope's top goalscorertwice in a row (in 1992 and 1993), as well as being named Scotland's "Player of the Year" in 1992.

McCoist made his competitive debut for theIbroxside on the opening day of the1983–84 season,againstSt Mirren,and scored twenty goals that year. Nonetheless, he got a tough time from the supporters. "When I look back, do I regret it? No, because it actually made me stronger. If I didn't handle that at all, I wouldn't have stayed at the club and I would have been away down the road. At that time,Jock Wallaceprobably would have sold me. "[7]McCoist scored ahat-trickin theLeague Cup finalvictory overCelticin March 1984.[10][16][17]With Rangers still a team very much in the doldrums, he managed 18 goals the following season.[18]

McCoist scored 24 goals in season 1985–86.[14]He made his international debut against theNetherlandsin 1986, the same yearGraeme Sounessarrived at Rangers to begin the Ibrox revolution. "He certainly transformed Rangers Football Club, but he also transformed Scottish football," said McCoist of Souness' time at Ibrox. "Two of his first three signings wereTerry Butcher,theEnglandcaptain, andChris Woods,the England goalkeeper. The whole place just erupted into a new level. "[7]

McCoist scored anotherhat-trickin theGlasgow Cupfinal against Celtic to bring further accolades his way,[19]and he was an ever-present in Rangers' title-winning side of1987,scoring 34 goals along the way.[18]

In September 1987 McCoist was convicted of assault and fined £150 atHamilton Sheriff Court.This followed an attack on a 19-year-old outside an East Kilbride nightclub in the early hours of 5 December 1986. A verdict of not proven was returned againstTed McMinnandIain Durrantin relation to the incident.[20][21]McCoist and Durrant were each fined £1,500 by Rangers.[20]

McCoist's tally of 31 goals in 1987–88[18]could not prevent Celtic regaining the league title and, although Rangers recaptured their crown in1988–89,McCoist played only 19 games. That title win was the first ofnine-in-a-row,but McCoist found himself in and out of the first team for the first three of those successes. During the1990–91season,Mo Johnstonand new signingMark Hateleywere the preferred front pairing, and when McCoist attended theCheltenham Festivalwhen the players were given free time prior to back-to-back games against Celtic, he was dropped from the match squad by Souness and forced to apologise, for breaching team discipline, in a press conference. He returned to the team for the second of the matches after Hateley was sent off in the first, but Rangers lost both without scoring and his future at the club seemed uncertain.[4]

WhenWalter Smithtook over from Souness in April 1991, McCoist returned to the fore and came back from aherniaon the final day of the season as the club won the title.[22][23]Despite starting the next season on the bench, due to further minor injuries, McCoist won both Players' Player of the Year and the Sportswriters' award after scoring 34 times in the league during season1991–92,[18]forming an effective partnership with Hateley (Johnston had since left the club) as Rangers completed a domesticdouble.Those goals won him theEuropean Golden Boot– the first time a Scot had won the award – ensuring his position with two long-range strikes in the final fixture of the season away to Aberdeen,[24]a match he later admitted he had barely been in a condition to play, having spent the previous night drinking with students in the team hotel.[25]He had scored the only goal of the Scottish Cup semi-final, anOld Firmmeeting in which Rangers played 85 minutes with only ten men,[26]and rounded off the season with the decisive goal in the1992 Scottish Cup final.[27]Regarding the Golden Boot, McCoist joked: "There was some wee Romanian guy. You know what it's like: I think he needed to score nine in the last game of the season to beat me. I think he got eight. It was one of those ones. I think he scored his seventh in the 98th minute and scored his eighth in the 114th minute. You're never sure with that mob."[7]

He repeated that scoring feat a year later, in1992–93,with the same goal tally in the Premier Division, despite missing the last seven matches of the season after breaking his leg playing forScotlandagainstPortugalin April.[28][14][10]He also missed the1993 Scottish Cup final(having scored the winner in the semi-final to put Rangers through) but still scored a career-best 49 goals from 52 appearances overall for the campaign.[18]

After a six-month absence, he returned from the injury by coming off the bench to score an overhead kick to win the1993 Scottish League Cup finalagainstHibernian.[14][29]

As for McCoist's renowned strike partnership with Hateley, the Englishman said: "Alistair was the perfect partner for me. As a finisher, he was an unbelievable goal scorer. He linked with me. All the goal scorer does is he looks at the leader of the line and makes sure he's offset, fifteen yards away. It was a great partnership"[30]

His appearances were limited over the next two seasons as a result of other niggling injuries (37 games and 12 goals, less than his typical output for one campaign), and also had to compete with a string of new signings between 1993 and 1995, includingGordon DurieandBrian Laudrup,for the forward positions.

After recovering his fitness, he played more regularly in the1995–96 season,scoring 16 league goals and in an Old Firm Scottish Cup semi-final victory (as he had done in 1992 and would again in 1998),[31]though he again missed the resulting final. A tenth Premier Division winner's medal (the completion of nine-in-a-row) and a ninthLeague Cup win(scoring twice)[32][10]followed in1996–97.His last appearance in a Rangers jersey came in the1998 Scottish Cup finalin which he scored during a 2–1 defeat byHeart of Midlothian.[33]

At Rangers, McCoist became the club's record goalscorer, netting 355 goals in all competitions.[10]In addition to this, he holds the club record for number of league goals scored and the number ofScottish League Cupgoals scored (with 251 and 54, respectively). He also held the title for the most goals scored by a player inEuropeancompetitions (21), until his total was overtaken byAlfredo Morelos.[18]McCoist is also third in the all-time appearance table for Rangers, having made 581 appearances for the club.

Reflecting on his time at Rangers in 2018, McCoist said: "My extended family was those boys that I worked with and played with and coached and managed and worked under. It was the greatest experience of my life and I was very, very privileged to play there, coach there and manage there. It was a dream come true."[7]

Kilmarnock[edit]

McCoist finished his career atKilmarnock,where he spent three seasons alongside long-time Rangers teammate Ian Durrant. After recovering from another broken leg in 1999 (sustained in a match against Rangers)[10]during the last months of hisKilliespell, he was an unused substitute in the2001 Scottish League Cup finaldefeat to Celtic, then had a penalty saved byStefan KlosatRugby Parkin what proved to be his final match against his old club.[34]He was denied a cameo appearance from the bench at Ibrox by his managerBobby Williamsona few weeks later as Kilmarnock were already losing heavily – instead he received an ovation from supporters on the field after the final whistle.[35]

His final game at the age of 38 was at home to Celtic on the last day of theSPLcampaign on 20 May 2001, a 1–0 win which enabled Kilmarnock to qualify for the following season'sUEFA Cup.[36]Coincidentally, McCoist was substituted off in that match while fellow strikerKris Boydcame off the bench to make his debut; he too went on to be become the club's joint-second league goalscorer of all time, level withEddie Morrisonon 121 goals.[10]

International[edit]

Age-group teams[edit]

McCoist appeared ten times for the Scotland national under-18 football team. He made his debut in a European Under-18 Championship qualifier against Iceland, netting the only goal of the game after 19 minutes. He followed this up by scoring in the return leg, a 3–1 victory which secured Scotland's qualification for the following summer's European Under-18 Championships.

He found the net again in his third appearance, a 3–1 victory over Northern Ireland. His next three appearances came in the prestigious Monaco Youth Tournament, a 1–0 defeat to West Germany, a 2–0 victory over Switzerland and a 1–1 draw with France taking his tally to five goals in six appearances.

McCoist was then selected for Scotland's semi-professional side for a four-team tournament in the Netherlands; however, he failed to make an appearance.

At the European Under-18 finals, Scotland found themselves in a group with Austria, Spain and defending Under-18 champions England. McCoist started all three games as Scotland defeated both Austria and England 1–0, with McCoist netting the winner against the Auld Enemy, meaning the final group game against the Spanish would decide the group. McCoist scored with a free-kick in a 1–1 draw. This result saw Scotland eliminated on goal-difference.

Full team[edit]

McCoist made hisScotlanddebut, aged 23, on 29 April 1986 in a goalless friendly match against theNetherlands.[37]

He started one game at the1990 World Cupin Italy (coming on as a late substitute in the othergroup games)[10]after being an integral part of thequalification bid.

In March 1993, he broke a leg againstPortugalin a disastrousqualifying matchfor the next World Cup (Scotland lost 5–0 and failed to progress).[14][10]

He captained Scotland once, againstAustraliaon 27 March 1996. He went on to score the winner after 55 minutes in a 1–0 win atHampden Park.[38][10]

McCoist scored one major tournament goal: a long-range drive atUEFA Euro 1996againstSwitzerland,which was also his last goal for his country;[14][10]he had started all three of Scotland's matches atUEFA Euro 1992but failed to score, and was not selected in the squad for the1998 World Cupdespite having scored 16 goals during the preceding season. "I was devastated. It broke my heart. It really did. I remember getting the news down in London that [Craig Brown] wasn't taking me and Igreetedmy eyes out. I still think it was a massive mistake. I certainly don't think I would have played ninety minutes in all the games, but if we'd needed a goal, I was still probably our best chance. That was the biggest disappointment in my career, not going. Obviously I have spoken to Craig since, and he admits it was a mistake now. And I do appreciate him for saying that. It doesn't soften the blow that I didn't go, but it backs my own theory up that Ishouldhave gone. "[39]

He made his last two appearances for Scotland after moving from Rangers to Kilmarnock in summer 1998, with his final outing a 3–2 victory overEstoniain October of that year. McCoist is Scotland's fifth-highest scorer, with 19 goals from his 61caps.[10]

Managerial career[edit]

McCoist celebrating with theSPLtrophy in 2009

McCoist joined the Scotland coaching staff under his former manager at Rangers, Walter Smith, in 2004. He turned down the managerial position atInverness Caledonian Thistlein 2006 as he wanted a job nearer his Glasgow home.[40]

Rangers[edit]

Smith's assistant (2007–11)[edit]

McCoist returned to Rangers as an assistant manager to Walter Smith in January 2007.[41]After Rangers' victory overQueen of the Southin the2008 Scottish Cup final,Smith revealed that McCoist had been in charge of the team for the entire cup campaign.[42]"Obviously, Walter had me in mind for the manager's position when he stepped down, and for a couple of the Scottish Cup runs he let me take the team. I'd do the preparation and the training, but obviously he'd be there. I'd do the team talk, all that kind of stuff."[7]

The duo also guided Rangers to the final of that year'sUEFA Cup,in which they lost 2–0 toZenit Saint Petersburg.

On 22 February 2011 he was announced as the new Rangers manager, with effect from June 2011.[43]

2011–12 season[edit]

BusinessmanCraig Whytebought outSir David Murrayas Rangers' majority shareholder in May 2011. Whyte said he was proud to be the owner of Rangers and pledged to invest £25 million into transfers, over five years.[44]

McCoist's first competitive game in charge of Rangers came on 23 July 2011, a 1–1 draw at home toHeartson the opening day of the2011–12 SPL.[45]After the game McCoist complained toBBC Scotlandabout a report that he argued misrepresented his view on violence after Old Firm derbies and the cost of policing the matches. The BBC stood by the report but upheld the complaint about the way the piece had been edited. On Tuesday 26 July 2011, the BBC issued an apology to McCoist and he, in turn, dropped his ban on speaking to them.[46]In April 2011, McCoist had called for Rangers supporters who sung offensive chants to be arrested.[47]

McCoist took charge of his first European game on 26 July 2011 at home toSwedishsideMalmö FFin the first leg of aUEFA Champions League third round qualifier,losing 1–0 to suffer his first defeat as Rangers manager.[48]His first win came on 30 July, away to St Johnstone with a 2–0 scoreline, goals coming fromNikica JelavićandSteven Naismith.[49]McCoist's firstChampions Leaguecampaign ended at the first hurdle after drawing 1–1 away to Malmo in the Third qualifying round second leg, losing 2–1 on aggregate and havingMadjid BougherraandSteven Whittakersent off.[50]Despite dropping into theEuropa League,McCoist's first European campaign as Rangers manager ended early after another defeat over two legs in the play-off round byNK Maribor.[51]

McCoist made a promising start to his first SPL campaign as manager, with Rangers topping the SPL after the first five fixtures and conceding only one goal. His first Old Firm match as manager was a 4–2 win over Celtic at Ibrox,[52]but his side were shocked by First Division sideFalkirkin the League Cup a few days later.[53]McCoist suffered a fourth cup competition exit of the season on 5 February 2012, in a 2–0 defeat at home toDundee Unitedin theScottish Cupfifth round.[54]

Despite being within four points of Celtic at the top of the table in February, having been fifteen points clear of their arch rivals at one stage,[55]Rangers' SPL title challenge was virtually ended after the club entered administration on 14 February 2012 and was docked ten points as a consequence.[56]McCoist was able to see out the season with Rangers finishing in second place despite the points deduction.

2012–13 season[edit]

Following the rejection of a company voluntary arrangement by HM Revenue & Customs, the business and assets of the company running Rangers were sold to a consortium led byCharles Green.McCoist decided to stay after talks with Green. McCoist then worked alongside Green as the club were placed in theScottish Third Division.[57]

Rangers won the Third Division championship and promotion to the third tier.[58]They exited theScottish Challenge Cupby losing toQueen of the Southin a penalty shoot-out.[59]They defeatedMotherwellin the League Cup, but lost 3–0 to Inverness in the quarter-finals at Ibrox. Rangers also suffered a 3–0 defeat in the Scottish Cup, againstDundee Unitedat Tannadice.

2013–14 season[edit]

Rangers won theScottish League Onechampionship and promotion to the second tier, as they became the first Rangers side in 115 years to go an entire league season unbeaten. They also progressed to the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, but lost 3–1 toDundee Unitedat Ibrox. Rangers reached the2014 Scottish Challenge Cup final,but lost 1–0 after extra time toRaith RoversatEaster Road.They suffered a first-round defeat in the Scottish League Cup atForfar Athletic.[60]

2014–15 season[edit]

Rangers fell behindHeartsin the2014–15 Scottish Championshipas they lost 2–1 at home and 2–0 away to the Edinburgh club. Rangers progressed to the semi-finals of the2014–15 Scottish League Cup,but suffered a defeat in the2014–15 Scottish Challenge CupagainstAlloa Athletic.McCoist submitted formal notice of his intention to resign as manager in December 2014 and began serving a 12-month notice period.[61]Later in December, McCoist left his position with Rangers and was placed ongardening leave.[62]This continued until September 2015, when McCoist and Rangers agreed to terminate his contract.[63]

Media career[edit]

McCoist is also known for his television work. He was a team captain on theBBC'sA Question of Sportfrom 1996 to 2007 with his rival captains beingJohn Parrott,Frankie DettoriandMatt Dawson,making a record 363 appearances on the show.[64]Having been passed over for Scotland's1998 World Cupsquad, McCoist was recruited to the BBC's punditry team for the tournament, where he proved a popular addition.[65]

He also co-presented a late night chat showMcCoist and MacAulayforBBC Scotlandfrom 1998 to 1999 alongside comedianFred MacAulay.In 2001, McCoist won Sports Presenter of the Year at theTRIC Awards.[66]

In 2000, McCoist also starred in the filmA Shot at GloryalongsideRobert Duvall,playing Jackie McQuillan, a fictional legendary ex-Celtic player.[14]McCoist wore a Rangers jersey under his Celtic one to keep the material off his skin.[7]

Between 1998 and 2005, McCoist, along withJohn Motson,appeared as a commentator for theFIFAvideo games seriesbyEA Sports.They were replaced byClive TyldesleyandAndy GrayforFIFA 06.

McCoist has been a regularpunditforITV Sport's football coverage. In 2010, he was a regular co-commentator forESPNat the2010 World Cupworking alongsideMartin TylerorDerek Rae.[67]McCoist worked for ITV during the2018 World Cup,and his partnership with main commentatorJon Championwas praised by various media sources.[68][69]

From the start of the 2017–18 season McCoist worked as a studio pundit forBT Sport's coverage of theSPFLand theScottish League Cup,appearing regularly on their coverage alongsideDarrell Currie,Chris SuttonandStephen Craigan.From the 2020–21 season,Sky Sportsearned exclusive rights to the SPFL, and McCoist continued to feature as a pundit on their coverage.

Since the 2019–20 season he has also been a pundit and commentator forAmazon Prime Video's coverage ofEnglish Premier Leaguematches.[70]

Awards[edit]

On 10 June 1994, McCoist was awarded theMember of the Order of the British Empire(MBE) for services to football.[71]He was inducted into theScottish Sports Hall of Famein 2007 and is also a member of theScottish Football Hall of Fame.McCoist was inducted into theScotland national football team roll of honourin March 1996, when he was awarded his 50th international cap.[72]McCoist was appointedOfficer of the Order of the British Empire(OBE) in the2024 Birthday Honoursfor services to association football and to broadcasting.[73]

Personal life[edit]

A lifelong Rangers fan, McCoist attended his first Old Firm fixture as a ten-year-old on 5 May 1973. It was Rangers'3–2 Scottish Cup final victoryin front of 122,714 spectators atHampden Park.[39]

McCoist's first wife was Allison. After meeting in 1981, they married in 1990 and divorced in 2004. The marriage produced three sons: Alexander, Argyll and Mitchell. He has two more sons (Arran and Harris) with his second wife, Vivien.[74]

During the2014 Scottish independence referendum,McCoist was a supporter of theBetter TogetheragainstScottish independence.[75]

McCoist had an extramarital affair with the actressPatsy Kensit,which was cited in divorce proceedings from his first wife.[76]It is said the affair developed from a pre-existing friendship when McCoist was in London filming ITV'sThe Premiershipfootball highlights show.[77]

Career statistics[edit]

Playing[edit]

Club[edit]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[78][79][80][18]
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
St Johnstone 1978–79 Scottish First Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 – 4 0
1979–80 15 0 1 0 0 0 – 16 0
1980–81 38 22 3 1 2 0 – 43 23
1981–82 0 0 0 0 5 4 – 5 4
Total 57 22 4 1 7 4 0 0 68 27
Sunderland 1981–82 First Division 28 2 3 0 1 0 – 32 2
1982–83 28 6 1 0 4 1 – 33 7
Total 56 8 4 0 5 1 0 0 65 9
Rangers 1983–84 Scottish Premier Division 30 8 4 3 10 9 3 0 47 20
1984–85 25 12 3 0 6 5 4 1 38 18
1985–86 33 25 1 1 4 1 2 0 40 27
1986–87 44 34 1 0 5 2 6 2 56 38
1987–88 40 31 2 1 5 6 6 4 53 42
1988–89 19 9 8 5 4 4 2 0 33 18
1989–90 34 14 2 0 4 4 – 40 18
1990–91 26 11 2 1 4 3 4 3 36 18
1991–92 38 34 5 4 4 1 2 0 49 39
1992–93 34 34 4 5 5 8 9 2 52 49
1993–94 21 7 6 3 1 1 – 28 11
1994–95 9 1 0 0 0 0 – 9 1
1995–96 25 16 2 1 4 3 6 0 37 20
1996–97 25 10 3 1 3 3 6 6 37 20
1997–98 15 5 4 4 3 4 4 3 26 16
Total 418 251 47 29 62 54 54 21 581 355
Kilmarnock 1998–99 Scottish Premier League 26 7 1 0 2 1 – 29 8
1999–2000 9 1 0 0 1 2 2 0 12 3
2000–01 18 1 2 0 2 2 – 22 3
Total 53 9 3 0 5 5 2 0 63 14
Career total 584 290 58 30 79 64 56 21 777 405

International[edit]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland[81] 1986 2 0
1987 6 3
1988 5 0
1989 6 2
1990 10 3
1991 4 2
1992 11 3
1993 2 2
1994 —
1995 3 2
1996 7 2
1997 3 0
1998 2 0
Total 61 19
Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each McCoist goal.[82][83][84][85][86][87][88]
List of international goals scored by Ally McCoist
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 9 September 1987 Hampden Park,Glasgow,Scotland 7 Hungary 1–0 2–0 Friendly
2 2–0
3 14 October 1987 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 8 Belgium 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 1988 qualifying
4 26 April 1989 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 15 Cyprus 2–1 2–1 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 15 November 1989 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 19 Norway 1–0 1–1 1990 FIFA World Cup qualification
6 16 May 1990 Pittodrie Stadium,Aberdeen,Scotland 21 Egypt 1–2 1–3 Friendly
7 12 September 1990 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 27 Romania 2–1 2–1 UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
8 14 November 1990 Vasil Levski National Stadium,Sofia,Bulgaria 29 Bulgaria 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
9 11 September 1991 Wankdorf Stadion,Bern,Switzerland 32 Switzerland 2–2 2–2 UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
10 13 November 1991 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 33 San Marino 4–0 4–0 UEFA Euro 1992 qualifying
11 19 February 1992 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 34 Northern Ireland 1–0 1–0 Friendly
12 20 May 1992 Varsity Stadium,Toronto, Ontario,Canada 37 Canada 2–1 3–1 Friendly
13 9 September 1992 Wankdorf Stadion, Bern, Switzerland 42 Switzerland 1–1 1–3 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
14 17 February 1993 Ibrox Stadium,Glasgow, Scotland 45 Malta 1–0 3–0 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification
15 2–0
16 16 August 1995 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 47 Greece 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
17 15 November 1995 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 49 San Marino 3–0 5–0 UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying
18 27 March 1996 Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland 50 Australia 1–0 1–0 Friendly
19 18 June 1996 Villa Park,Birmingham,England 54 Switzerland 1–0 1–0 UEFA Euro 1996

Managerial record[edit]

As of 24 December 2014
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref.
G W D L Win %
Rangers Scotland 1 June 2011 21 December 2014 167 121 22 24 072.46 [89]
Career Total 167 121 22 24 072.46 —

Honours[edit]

[90]

Player[edit]

Rangers

Individual

Notes[edit]

  1. ^appeared in matches during the Scottish Cups of1992–93and1995–96which Rangers won, but did not play in either final due to injury

Manager[edit]

Rangers

Individual

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ab"Ally McCoist".Barry Hugman's Footballers.Retrieved15 March2020.
  2. ^On this day, back in 1990, a Scottish League XI beat Scotland 1-0 at Hampden Park in the SFL Centenary match with the goal coming from then Aberdeen Football Club star Hans Gillhaus,Scottish Professional Football LeagueviaFacebook,18 August 2016
  3. ^"Maternity staff reunion just the start".Motherwell Times.28 March 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 2 August 2019.Retrieved2 August2019.
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External links[edit]

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