Have any Catholics played Rangers?

June 29, 2020 Off By idswater

Have any Catholics played Rangers?

Despite this assertion, no senior Catholic players were signed by Rangers following it; promising youth player John Spencer did join the club in 1982 and quietly progressed through the ranks, while having to deal with hostility from both sides of the Glasgow religious divide as a result.

Are Rangers Catholic?

The very foundations of the two Glasgow football clubs are built on the religious division between Catholicism and Protestantism. Traditionally, Rangers supporters are Protestant while Celtic fans support the Catholic Church.

Who was the first Catholic to play for Liverpool?

John Houlding, the founder of the club, was actually a member of the Orange Order, a staunchly Protestant fraternity. In fact, Liverpool did not field a single Catholic player in their team for almost 90 years. Ronnie Whelan became the Reds’ first-ever Irish Catholic player when he made his debut in 1979.

Who has won more titles Celtic or Rangers?

The two rivals, who are collectively known as the “Old Firm”, have claimed the vast majority of league titles. As of 2021, Rangers have won 55 and Celtic 51, while no other club has won the title on more than four occasions.

Are Rangers more successful than Celtic?

The two clubs are by far the most successful and popular in Scotland, and the rivalry between them has become deeply embedded in Scottish culture. Celtic and Rangers have played each other 425 times in major competitions: Rangers have won 166 matches, Celtic 159 matches, and 100 ended in a draw.

Is Liverpool a Catholic or Protestant club?

Liverpool are the Catholic team and play in red at Anfield. Mention Xabi Alonso, maybe with knowing raised eyebrows; don’t mention Michael Owen except with a knowing sneer. Everton are the Protestant team and play in blue at Goodison Park.

What percentage of Liverpool is Catholic?

27.5%
In Liverpool LGA in 2016, the largest religious group was Western (Roman) Catholic (27.5% of all people), while 11.4% of people had no religion and 8.9% did not answer the question on religion.

Are there any Catholic players at Rangers Football Club?

Despite the policy, some Catholic players did play for Rangers during this time. Don Kitchenbrand kept his Catholicism secret and Laurie Blyth left the club after his Catholic faith was discovered. Some former Rangers players also stated that the policy extended to non-Catholic players who married Catholics.

Who was the first Catholic captain of the Rangers?

Gennaro Gattuso, an Italian Catholic who played for Rangers in the 1997–98 season, alleged that his teammates ordered him to take off his crucifix necklace. In 1999, fellow Italian Lorenzo Amoruso became the first Catholic captain of Rangers.

Why did Fernando Ricksen hide his religion at Rangers?

In 2002 defender Fernando Ricksen said that Rangers’ Catholic players had to hide their religion because of sectarianism at the club. He stated that he had been receiving sectarian phone calls, and “If you’re Catholic and you play for Rangers, then you are a Protestant.

What was the signing policy of Rangers Football Club?

Rangers F.C. signing policy From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Between the 1920s and 1989, the Scottish football club Rangers had an unwritten rule whereby the club would not sign any player who was known to be a Roman Catholic.

Despite the policy, some Catholic players did play for Rangers during this time. Don Kitchenbrand kept his Catholicism secret and Laurie Blyth left the club after his Catholic faith was discovered. Some former Rangers players also stated that the policy extended to non-Catholic players who married Catholics.

Who was the first Catholic captain of Rangers?

Since Johnston’s signing, an influx of overseas footballers has contributed to Catholic players becoming common place at Rangers. In 1999 Lorenzo Amoruso became the first Catholic captain of the club.

Why did Rangers refuse to play soccer on Sundays?

Protestants frowned upon the Catholics blue-collar way of life, as well as certain Catholic policies on divorce, contraception, mixed marriages and what they saw as the desecration of the Sabbath. Rangers actually refused to play soccer on Sundays (Sanders, Origins).

In 2002 defender Fernando Ricksen said that Rangers’ Catholic players had to hide their religion because of sectarianism at the club. He stated that he had been receiving sectarian phone calls, and “If you’re Catholic and you play for Rangers, then you are a Protestant.