A book on the history of Rangers has unearthed the first ever photograph of one of its four founders.
A new edition of The Gallant Pioneers also revealed the club could have ended up with a different name.
The only known picture of William McBeath, who formed the club in 1872 with teenage brothers Moses and Peter McNeil and Peter Campbell, was obtained from Peter McNeil’s family, who were able to match a photo from a family album to a newspaper line drawing.
The book also claims to have discovered the first match report featuring the name “ Rangers ”, from a game in 1872, which they won 7-1.
Researcher Gordon Bell said: “William McBeath scored five goals that day and we’re delighted to have uncovered a photograph of him to go with Moses and the two Peters.”
The book, which was first published in 2009, also reveals that the name “Western” was claimed for the team by its founders from an established cricket club of the same name to take part in the first Scottish Cup.
Moses then came up with the alternative name of “ Rangers ”, having seen it in a rugby book.
