From Norwich City to China, the players who were at Rangers during their turbulent 2011/12 season have seen their careers head in some unusual directions.
Steven Naismith in action for Rangers
When Rangers entered liquidation in June 2012, the vast majority of their key players chose not to transfer their contracts and instead leave the club for free. This left a very new-look Rangers team for the start of the 2012/13 season in the fourth tier, although they still managed to clinch the divisions title.
Four years on, Rangers are finally back in the SPL, so it seems like a good time to reflect on that 2011/12 team and see where they are now. The answers are somewhat surprising. Many of Rangers key players from that season seem to have been globetrotters, with some now starring in countries such as Cyprus, China and the U.S.
Allan McGregor
Allan McGregor now plays for Hull City
Scotland international Allan McGregor left Rangers in 2012, joining Turkish giants Besiktas on a free transfer. After a season in Istanbul, McGregor signed for Premier League new boys Hull City, where he remains, although he is currently sidelined with a serious back injury.
Maurice Edu
Former Rangers stalwart Maurice Edu joined Stoke City when he left Ibrox in 2012, but made more loan moves than starts for the Potters during his three years contracted to the Premier League team.
The US international with 36 caps to his name is now back in the MLS with Philadelphia Union. Strangely enough, two former Rangers players from the 2011/12 season now play for the U’s, as they are known, as Alejandro Bedoya is also contracted to the U.S. outfit.
Steven Davis
Steven Davis is arguably the player who has impressed most since leaving Rangers in 2012. The midfielder has been a regular in a very impressive Southampton team for four seasons now. Davis also captained Northern Ireland at Euro 2016.
Dorin Goian
The 2011/12 season was former Romanian international Dorin Goian’s first at Ibrox, but only Allan McGregor made more appearances during that campaign than he did. Goian flip-flopped between wanting to stay and not wanting to stay following Rangers liquidation, but ultimately left for Spezia on loan. The 35-year-old is a free agent since being released by Greek Superleague side Asteras Tripoli.
Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Bocanegra during Rangers vs Celtic
Similarly to fellow experienced defender Dorin Goian, Carlos Bocanegra also joined Rangers in 2011, he also stayed for a few games in the fourth tier, also flip-flopped between stating his intention to stay and wanting to leave to play at a higher level and also ultimately departed the club on-loan.
After a season in Spain and a season in the MLS, Bocanegra hung up his boots in 2014, with 110 caps and 4 trophies to his name. The 37-year-old is now working as the technical director at Atlanta United FC, who will join the MLS in 2017.
Steven Whittaker
Unlike some, Steven Whittaker’s career has been pretty straightforward since leaving Rangers. The 32-year-old right-back joined Norwich City in 2012, where he remains and has played in both the Championship and the Premier League.
Nikica Jelavic
Nikica Jelavic left Rangers before the extent of their financial difficulties became fully known, swapping Ibrox for Goodison Park in a £5 million deal to Everton in January 2012. After a barnstorming start to life in the Premier League, Jelavic joined Hull City and then West Ham, before making a lucrative move to China where he is currently playing in the countries second tier.
Sone Aluko
Sone Aluko lit up Ibrox during his time with Rangers
Former Aberdeen star Sone Aluko had a short but sweet time at Rangers, scoring 12 goals in 21 games for the Gers. He left following the clubs liquidation to team up with Steve Bruce at Hull City, where he occasionally partnered Nikica Jelavic up front. Having been released by Hull, Aluko joined Fulham this summer.
John Fleck
Touted as Scotland’s answer to Wayne Rooney, John Fleck’s career hasn’t quite reached the heights many people expected it to. The former Rangers prospect joined Coventry in 2012, where he made 182 appearances, before joining Sheffield United this summer.
Kyle Lafferty
Kyle Lafferty may be at Norwich City now, but like a number of players featured here, he has been something of a nomad at times. The Northern Ireland striker left Rangers for Sion in Switzerland, and has had stints with Palermo in Italy and Rizespor in Turkey since then too.
Steven Naismith
Norwich City certainly seems to be the most popular destination for Rangers players who were at the club in 2012. Steven Naismith is another who has impressed in England since leaving the Gers, and after four years with Everton, he is now starring for Norwich in the Championship.
David Healy
David Healy celebrates scoring for Rangers
David Healy was already at the tail end of his career when he joined Rangers, scoring 4 goals in 19 outings for the club. He too left in 2012, although his contract had been scheduled to expire anyway. From Rangers he joined Bury, his last club before hanging up his boots. Healy is now the manager of Northern Irish side Linfield.
Jamie Ness
Like John Fleck, Jamie Ness was very highly rated by some people as a youngster at Ibrox, but at 25, he seems unlikely fulfil the potential some saw in him. The 25-year-old left Rangers for Stoke, but never made an appearance for the Potters. He may well be playing in the Championship next season as his current side Scunthorpe United have made a flying start to the season.
Juan Manuel Ortiz
Some Rangers fans may have forgotten Juan Manuel Ortiz, but not us. The versatile Spaniard who was a product of Atletico Madrid’s youth academy joined Rangers in 2011, but made just 10 outings for the Scottish giants. Now 34, Ortiz is currently playing in Cyprus with AEK Larnaca.
Madjid Bougherra
Former Algerian international Madjid Bougherra spent three full seasons at Ibrox, having joined Rangers from Charlton Athletic. He swapped Rangers for Qatari club Lekhwiya in 2012, before joining Al-Fujairah of the UAE. The defender joined Greek side Aris earlier this month.
Which of these players would you most like to see back at Ibrox?
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